Congrats on purchasing your first home! You are obviously thrilled with your investment, even though you may also feel overloaded by all these new responsibilities. Now that you’re the homeowner, not the renter, it’s your job to care for all your home’s appliances and utility equipment, like 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 plenty to learn. Get a head start with these HVAC system suggestions for first-time homeowners.
Know the Different Elements of an HVAC System
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Unless you live in the perfect climate, your new home probably has this system to keep you warm during the winter and cool throughout the summer. Here are the basic parts of an HVAC system:
- Comfort units, such as 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 when it comes to air-forced systems like 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 comfort control.
Understand the Importance of Preventive Maintenance
When you rented, the landlord most likely managed any HVAC maintenance tasks such as replacing the air filter. They may or may not have also handled the bill for comprehensive 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 trim back vegetation to improve airflow.
- Keep all air registers open to sustain proper system balance.
Then, arrange yearly maintenance for each HVAC unit. Only an experienced professional can perform in-depth tasks like cleaning the furnace burners, recharging the AC refrigerant and gauging air leaks in the ductwork. Count on the following advantages when you hire a professional to inspect your system every year:
- Energy savings
- Fewer breakdowns
- More affordable repair bills
- Superior home comfort
- Expanded system life span
- Peace of mind
Keep an Eye Out for Signs of Trouble
Repairing and replacing the HVAC system is the homeowner’s responsibility. Watch for these signs that it’s time to contact a heating and cooling specialist:
- Excess noise: Don’t dismiss a whining, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It could be a cry for help from your furnace or air conditioner.
- Comfort or air quality issues: Erratic temperatures, high or low humidity, stuffy rooms and mold-like odors are regularly linked to malfunctioning HVAC equipment.
- Low energy efficiency: Are your bills mysteriously on the rise? This could mean your heating and cooling system isn’t running properly.
- Old age: Like all mechanical systems, HVAC systems ultimately fail. The standard life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps run just about a decade.
Learn More About the HVAC Replacement Process
If your damaged furnace or air conditioner can’t be restored, you’ll need to replace it with an HVAC professional's help. Here’s how this works:
- Describe the problem to the contractor and allow them to take a closer look at it more in-depth.
- The professional should diagnose the problem and recommend possible solutions. A repair may be viable, but based on the unit’s condition and age, a replacement may be more cost-effective.
- You can secure various opinions and estimates from assorted contractors if you so choose.
- When you contact Chief/Bauer 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 detailing the work necessary, the equipment they’ll install and the overall cost. You might also receive information about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
- Schedule the installation after you figure out what system you want. Your contractor will handle everything, even hauling away the old equipment for proper disposal.
- The sales consultant will go over the new system with you, explaining how to use it, helping with any questions and giving you all the needed documentation.
Call Chief/Bauer Service Experts
If you have concerns about these HVAC system fundamentals, feel free to reach out to Chief/Bauer Service Experts. We emphasize customer education to help you make an educated decision about your HVAC system. Our team is well-versed in a full array of HVAC services, so reach out for everything from furnace maintenance to AC repair to heat pump installation. For more information or to ask for an estimate, please
call your local Chief/Bauer Service Experts office today.