Congrats on purchasing your first home! You are certainly thrilled with your investment, although you might feel overwhelmed by all these new responsibilities. Now that you’re a homeowner, not the renter, it’s your job to take care of all your home’s appliances and utilities, such as the heating and cooling equipment.
If the only interaction you’ve ever come across with a furnace or air conditioner is to use the thermostat, you have more to learn. Get started with these HVAC system suggestions for brand-new homeowners.
Know the Different Components of an HVAC System
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Unless you live in an idyllic climate, your new home most likely has this system to keep you warm during the winter and cool throughout the summer. Here are the important 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 options.
- Ductwork attached to return and supply registers with regards to air-forced systems such as ACs, heat pumps and furnaces.
- Radiators or hot water distribution systems in the case of boilers.
- Indoor air quality solutions, like an air filter, whole-house humidifier, whole-house dehumidifier, air purifier or energy-recovery ventilator.
- Thermostat for indoor comfort control.
Appreciate the Importance of Preventive Maintenance
When you rented, your landlord likely managed any HVAC maintenance tasks such as replacing the air filter. They may or may not have foot the bill for detailed heating and cooling inspections.
Now that you’re responsible for this, you can offer preventive maintenance the attention it deserves. First, complete these do-it-yourself HVAC maintenance tasks:
- Replace the air filter every 30 to 90 days.
- Lightly hose down the outdoor unit and cut back vegetation to improve airflow.
- Keep all air registers open to preserve proper system balance.
Then, arrange yearly maintenance for each HVAC unit. Only a qualified professional can perform in-depth tasks like cleaning the furnace burners, recharging the AC refrigerant and identifying air leaks in the ductwork. Anticipate the following benefits when you hire a professional to inspect your system annually:
- Energy savings
- Fewer breakdowns
- Lower repair bills
- Improved home comfort
- Expanded system life span
- Peace of mind
Watch for Signs of Trouble
Repairing and replacing the HVAC system is the homeowner’s job. Watch for these signals that it’s time to contact a heating and cooling professional:
- Loud noise: Don’t dismiss a screeching, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It might be a cry for help from the furnace or air conditioner.
- Comfort or air quality issues: Erratic temperatures, high or low humidity, stale rooms and musty smells are routinely associated with malfunctioning HVAC equipment.
- Poor energy efficiency: Are your bills unexpectedly going up? This could mean your heating and cooling system isn’t working right.
- Old age: Like all mechanical equipment, HVAC systems inevitably give out. The typical life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps can live around a decade.
Learn More About the HVAC Replacement Process
If a damaged furnace or air conditioner can’t be fixed, you’ll need to replace it with an HVAC specialist's help. Here’s how that works:
- Illustrate the problem to the contractor and permit them to investigate it more in-depth.
- The technician will diagnose the problem and offer available solutions. A repair might be viable, but depending on the unit’s condition and age, a replacement may be more cost-effective.
- You can acquire numerous opinions and estimates from different contractors if you so choose.
- When you contact Peitz Service Experts, a residential sales consultant will go over what HVAC system, brand, fuel type and efficiency rating is perfect for you.
- The tech will provide a written estimate outlining the work required, the equipment they’ll install and the overall cost. You should also receive information about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
- Schedule the installation once you decide what system you want. Your technician will complete everything, like hauling away the old equipment for appropriate disposal.
- The sales consultant will review the new system with you, explaining how to use it, addressing any questions and giving you all the necessary documentation.
Call Peitz Service Experts
If you have concerns about these HVAC system basics, feel free to call Peitz Service Experts. We prioritize customer education to help you make an educated decision about your heating and cooling system. Our team is well-versed in a full array of HVAC services, so turn to us for anything from furnace maintenance to AC repair to heat pump installation. For more info or to ask about an estimate, please
contact your local Peitz Service Experts office today.