Well done on buying your first home! You are undoubtedly pleased with your investment, though you might feel overloaded by all the new responsibilities. Now that you’re a homeowner, not the renter, it’s your job to maintain all your home’s appliances and systems, like the heating and cooling equipment.
If the only interaction you’ve ever come across with a furnace or air conditioner is to change the thermostat, you have plenty to learn. Try 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 likely has this system to keep you warm in the winter and cool throughout the summer. Here are the key parts of an HVAC system:
- Comfort systems, such as an air conditioner, air-source heat pump, furnace, boiler, geothermal heat pump or ductless mini-split, to name a few choices.
- Ductwork fixed 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 like boilers.
- Indoor air quality equipment, including 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, your landlord likely took care of HVAC maintenance tasks such as replacing the air filter. They may or may not have paid the bill for detailed heating and cooling inspections.
Now that you’re responsible for this, you can give 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.
- Gently hose down the outdoor unit and cut back vegetation to increase airflow.
- Keep all air registers open to preserve proper system balance.
Then, schedule annual maintenance for each HVAC unit. Only a trained professional can execute in-depth tasks like cleaning the furnace burners, recharging the AC refrigerant and measuring air leaks in the ductwork. Count on the following benefits 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 job. Watch for these clues that it’s time to call a heating and cooling contractor:
- Excess noise: Don’t neglect a screeching, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It can be a cry for help from your home's furnace or air conditioner.
- Comfort or air quality trouble: Erratic temperatures, high or low humidity, stuffy rooms and moldy smells are regularly tied to malfunctioning HVAC equipment.
- Reduced energy efficiency: Are your bills mysteriously on the rise? This might mean your heating and cooling system isn’t functioning right.
- Old age: Like all mechanical utilities, HVAC systems inevitably give out. The average 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 your defective furnace or air conditioner can’t be restored, you’ll need to replace it with an HVAC specialist's help. Here’s how that works:
- Describe the problem to your technician and permit them to investigate it more in-depth.
- The professional should identify the problem and recommend possible solutions. A repair may be doable, but based on the unit’s condition and age, a replacement may be more cost-effective.
- You can acquire various opinions and estimates from assorted contractors if you so choose.
- When you work with TML Service Experts, a residential sales consultant will review what HVAC system, brand, fuel type and efficiency rating is best for you.
- The technician will then compose a written estimate detailing the work needed, the equipment they’ll install and the overall cost. You should also be given information about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
- Schedule the installation as soon as you pick what system you want. The technician will handle 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, answering any questions and offering all the necessary documentation.
Call TML Service Experts
If you have concerns about these HVAC system basics, don't wait to reach out to TML Service Experts. We prioritize customer education to help you make the best decision about your heating and cooling system. Our team is experienced in a full array of HVAC services, so give us a call for anything from furnace maintenance to AC repair to heat pump installation. For more details or to ask for an estimate, please
contact your local TML Service Experts office today.