Well done on picking out your first home! You are obviously pleased with your investment, even though you may also feel overwhelmed 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 utilities, including the heating and cooling equipment.
If the only interaction you’ve ever experienced with a furnace or air conditioner is to adjust the thermostat, you have a lot to learn. Get started with these HVAC system suggestions for first-time homeowners.
Know the Parts of an HVAC System
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Unless you live in an idyllic climate, your new home probably has this system to keep you warm during the winter and cool for the summer. Here are the key parts of an HVAC system:
- Comfort equipment, like an air conditioner, air-source heat pump, furnace, boiler, geothermal heat pump or ductless mini-split, to name a few options.
- Ductwork fixed 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 such as boilers.
- Indoor air quality products, such as an air filter, whole-house humidifier, whole-house dehumidifier, air purifier or energy-recovery ventilator.
- Thermostat for indoor climate control.
Recognize 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 also handled the bill for thorough heating and cooling inspections.
Now that you’re taking care of things, you can offer preventive maintenance the attention it deserves. First, perform these do-it-yourself HVAC maintenance tasks:
- Swap out the air filter every 30 to 90 days.
- Lightly hose down the outdoor unit and trim back vegetation to increase airflow.
- Keep all air registers open to sustain proper system balance.
Then, schedule 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 identifying air leaks in the ductwork. Anticipate the following perks when you get a professional to inspect your system once a year:
- Energy savings
- Fewer breakdowns
- More affordable repair bills
- Enhanced 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 signs that it’s time to call a heating and cooling contractor:
- Excess noise: Don’t neglect a squealing, rattling, clanking or banging sound. It could be a cry for help from your furnace or air conditioner.
- Comfort or air quality trouble: Erratic temperatures, high or low humidity, stuffy rooms and musty odors are regularly linked to malfunctioning HVAC equipment.
- Low energy efficiency: Are your bills mysteriously increasing? This might mean your heating and cooling system isn’t functioning properly.
- Old age: Like all mechanical systems, HVAC systems inevitably fail. The typical life span of a furnace or boiler is 15 years, while air conditioners and heat pumps can live just about a decade.
Learn More About the HVAC Replacement Process
If your defective furnace or air conditioner can’t be fixed, you’ll need to replace it with an HVAC professional's help. Here’s how it works:
- Explain the problem to the technician and allow them to take a closer look at it more in-depth.
- The technician will next identify the problem and recommend available solutions. A repair may be doable, but according to the unit’s condition and age, a replacement might be more cost-effective.
- You can obtain various opinions and estimates from assorted contractors if you so choose.
- When you contact San Antonio Air Service Experts, a residential sales consultant will go over what HVAC system, brand, fuel type and efficiency rating is perfect for you.
- The technician will compose a written estimate describing the work needed, the equipment they’ll install and the overall cost. You might also receive info about warranty coverage, service plans and financing options.
- Schedule the installation as soon as you pick what system you want. Your technician will handle everything, including hauling away the old equipment for safe disposal.
- The sales consultant will walk through the new system with you, detailing how to use it, addressing any questions and giving you all the necessary documentation.
Call San Antonio Air Service Experts
If you have concerns about these HVAC system guidelines, don't wait to get in touch with San Antonio Air Service Experts. We prioritize customer education to help you make an educated decision about your home comfort system. Our team is proficient in a wide range of HVAC services, so reach out 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 San Antonio Air Service Experts office today.