Congratulations on purchasing your first home! You are certainly delighted with your investment, although you may feel overwhelmed by all these new responsibilities. Now that you’re the owner, not the renter, it’s your job to care for all your home’s appliances and utility equipment, 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 a lot to learn. Get started 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 an idyllic climate, your new home likely has this system to keep you warm in the winter and cool for the summer. Here are the basic parts of an HVAC system:
- Comfort equipment, such as an air conditioner, air-source heat pump, furnace, boiler, geothermal heat pump or ductless mini-split, to name a few possibilities.
- Ductwork attached to return and supply registers when it comes 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 products, like an air filter, whole-house humidifier, whole-house dehumidifier, air purifier or energy-recovery ventilator.
- Thermostat for indoor climate control.
Understand the Importance of Preventive Maintenance
When you were renting your home, your landlord probably took care of HVAC maintenance tasks like replacing the air filter. They may or may not have paid the bill for comprehensive heating and cooling inspections.
Now that you’re taking care of things, you can offer preventive maintenance the attention it deserves. First, complete these do-it-yourself HVAC maintenance tasks:
- Swap out the air filter every 30 to 90 days.
- Carefully hose down the outdoor unit and pare back vegetation to enhance airflow.
- Keep all air registers open to sustain proper system balance.
Then, arrange annual maintenance for each HVAC unit. Only a qualified professional can complete in-depth tasks like cleaning the furnace burners, recharging the AC refrigerant and gauging air leaks in the ductwork. Anticipate the following advantages when you get a professional to inspect your system once a year:
- Energy savings
- Fewer breakdowns
- More affordable repair bills
- Superior home comfort
- Expanded 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:
- Loud noise: Don’t ignore a screeching, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It can be a cry for help from your furnace or air conditioner.
- Comfort or air quality problems: Inconsistent temperatures, high or low humidity, stuffy rooms and moldy odors are regularly associated with faulty HVAC equipment.
- Low energy efficiency: Are your bills suddenly going up? This could mean your heating and cooling system isn’t running right.
- Old age: Like all mechanical utilities, HVAC systems ultimately fail. The standard life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps can live around a decade.
Understand the HVAC Replacement Process
If the damaged furnace or air conditioner can’t be restored, you’ll need to replace it with an HVAC specialist's help. Here’s how it works:
- Describe the problem to your technician and let them explore it more in-depth.
- The professional will identify the problem and recommend available solutions. A repair could be doable, but according to the unit’s condition and age, a replacement may be more cost-effective.
- You can secure multiple opinions and estimates from assorted contractors if you want.
- When you contact Komfort Air Service Experts, a residential sales consultant will go over what HVAC system, brand, fuel type and efficiency rating is ideal for you.
- The technician will supply you with a written estimate detailing the work necessary, the equipment they’ll install and the final cost. You should also receive details about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
- Schedule the installation once you pick what system you want. Your technician will take care of everything, like hauling away the old equipment for proper disposal.
- The sales consultant will walk through the new system with you, detailing how to use it, helping with any questions and offering all the required documentation.
Call Komfort Air Service Experts
If you have questions about these HVAC system basics, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Komfort Air Service Experts. We prioritize customer education to help you make an informed decision about your HVAC system. Our team is well-versed in a full range of HVAC services, so turn to us for everything from
furnace maintenance to
AC repair to
heat pump installation. For more info or to ask about an estimate, please
call your local Komfort Air Service Experts office today.