Well done on purchasing your first home! You are undoubtedly thrilled with your investment, although you may feel overloaded by all your new responsibilities. Now that you’re the homeowner, not the renter, it’s your job to take care of all your home’s appliances and utilities, including the heating and cooling equipment.
If the only interaction you’ve ever experienced with a furnace or air conditioner is to change the thermostat, you have a lot to learn. Try these HVAC system suggestions for new homeowners.
Know the Different Elements of an HVAC System
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Unless you live in an idyllic climate, your new home likely has this system to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Here are the key parts of an HVAC system:
- Comfort systems, like an air conditioner, air-source heat pump, furnace, boiler, geothermal heat pump or ductless mini-split, to name a few choices.
- Ductwork connected to return and supply registers in the case of air-forced systems such as ACs, heat pumps and furnaces.
- Radiators or hot water distribution systems like boilers.
- Indoor air quality equipment, like an air filter, whole-house humidifier, whole-house dehumidifier, air purifier or energy-recovery ventilator.
- Thermostat for indoor temperature control.
Appreciate the Importance of Preventive Maintenance
When you were renting your home, the landlord probably took care of HVAC maintenance tasks like replacing the air filter. They may or may not have paid the bill for thorough heating and cooling inspections.
Now that you’re in charge, you can offer preventive maintenance the attention it deserves. First, prioritize these do-it-yourself HVAC maintenance tasks:
- Replace the air filter every 30 to 90 days.
- Carefully hose down the outdoor unit and cut back vegetation to improve airflow.
- Keep all air registers open to sustain proper system balance.
Then, request annual maintenance for each HVAC unit. Only an experienced professional can complete in-depth tasks like cleaning the furnace burners, recharging the AC refrigerant and gauging air leaks in the ductwork. Count on the following benefits when you get a professional to inspect your system annually:
- Energy savings
- Fewer breakdowns
- More affordable repair bills
- Enhanced home comfort
- Extended system life span
- Peace of mind
Look Out for Signs of Trouble
Repairing and replacing the HVAC system is the homeowner’s responsibility. Watch for these clues that it’s time to call a heating and cooling specialist:
- Excess noise: Don’t ignore a screeching, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It might be a cry for help from your home's furnace or air conditioner.
- Comfort or air quality issues: Uneven temperatures, high or low humidity, stuffy rooms and mold-like smells are routinely tied to malfunctioning HVAC equipment.
- Reduced energy efficiency: Are your bills suddenly increasing? This could mean your heating and cooling system isn’t functioning correctly.
- Old age: Like all mechanical equipment, HVAC systems inevitably fail. The typical life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps run around a decade.
Learn More About the HVAC Replacement Process
If a damaged furnace or air conditioner can’t be restored, you’ll need to replace it with an HVAC contractor’s help. Here’s how that works:
- Illustrate the problem to the technician and let them investigate it more in-depth.
- The professional will next identify the problem and recommend available solutions. A repair might be feasible, but depending on the unit’s condition and age, a replacement may be more cost-effective.
- You can obtain various opinions and estimates from different contractors if you so choose.
- When you contact Calverley Service Experts, a residential sales consultant will determine what HVAC system, brand, fuel type and efficiency rating is best for you.
- The technician should compose a written estimate describing the work needed, the equipment they’ll install and the total price. You may also be given info about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
- Schedule the installation as soon as you pick what system you want. Your technician will complete everything, like hauling away the old equipment for safe disposal.
- The sales consultant should walk through the new system with you, describing how to use it, addressing any questions and providing all the necessary documentation.
Call Calverley Service Experts
If you have concerns about these HVAC system guidelines, don't wait to reach out to Calverley Service Experts. We prioritize customer education to help you make an educated decision about your HVAC system. Our team is well-versed in a wide range of HVAC services, so reach out for anything from
furnace maintenance to
AC repair to
heat pump installation. For more details or to ask for an estimate, please
call your local Calverley Service Experts office today.