As a new homeowner, the maintenance of your home and its appliances is your responsibility. This can be a daunting thought, but we’re here to help you out with your HVAC system. Here are a few HVAC tips for first-time homeowners to keep your system running as it should.
Learn about the System
As a homeowner, you need to know what kind of HVAC system you’re dealing with. This will help you understand how your system operates. A few things you should know are:
- The age of the system. The older it is the more problems you may experience.
- What type of fuel your system needs, such as electricity, propane, or natural gas.
- The warranty, so you can learn its terms, as well as what actions might accidentally void it.
- Maintenance inspection results. If the previous homeowner took good care of their system, they hired professionals to maintain it regularly. Ask for the inspection reports to know if there were any issues the system experienced.
You can learn a lot of these by reading the owner’s manual and/or by asking the previous homeowner.
Change Your Filters
If you want to really start fresh in your new home, then change your air filters. Air filters can become clogged over time as they help to keep dust, debris, and other particles from getting into your air supply. Whenever your system is running, your air filter is helping keep your air clean. These particles will build-up, and if you don’t change your filter, it can lead to your air conditioner working much harder. This will not only raise your energy bill, but it will also increase the risk of it breaking down.
The general rule of thumb is to replace your system’s air filters once every three months. However, every unit and living situation is different. For example, if you have pets, you may need to change them more frequently.
Inspect Your Outdoor Unit
The outdoor unit needs love too, so don’t forget to inspect it. Your unit needs to be level, unobstructed, and ideally 2-3 feet from any bushes or shrubbery. If bushes are encroaching on your outdoor unit’s space, cut them away, as it can help prolong the life of the system. This is also a good time to ensure your system hasn’t built up too much dirt or debris. If it has, be sure to give it a good clean. This will help it work as efficiently as possible.
Check Your Home for Drafts
As a first-time homeowner, checking for drafts throughout your home isn’t a fun job, but it’s an important job. Any leaks of air in your home will rob you of your HVAC system’s full potential because your hot or cold air will be lost.
For best results, ensure your doors and windows shut completely, and have a good weather seal before you turn heating or cooling on. Putting weather strips on the door, in particular, can help you avoid cold air leaking out through the door. You should also keep in mind the most common places for drafts, which include:
- Windows
- Doors
- Attics
- Chimneys
Ensure All Areas of Your Home Cool and Heat Properly
Another thing you need to do is make sure all the areas in your home cool and heat properly. If you spend most of your time in one part of the house, you may not realize the guest bedroom isn’t getting any cold air. Turn on your AC (or heat) and check every room and feel the air coming through the vent. All rooms should be getting the same temperature air. If you notice one room or area that is a different temperature or isn’t getting air at all, you need to hire a professional to come and inspect your system. It could be a unit problem, or you could need some duct work repairs.
Don’t Forget Regular Maintenance
Out of all the HVAC tips, this one is the most important. If you want to keep your system in good shape and lengthen its lifespan, get regular maintenance on your HVAC unit. It will help catch problems before they spiral out of control and even lower your energy bill. Not to mention it can also keep you from losing your air conditioning on triple-digit days! While annual inspections are perfect to set up any time, spring or fall is a good time to schedule as it’s usually not too hot or cold.
We’re always here to help new homeowners!
Let the Comfort World Air Conditioning & Heating Team Assist You
We hope these HVAC tips help you out in your new home. If you just moved into a new home and are confused about your HVAC maintenance requirements, Comfort World Air Conditioning & Heating is here to help! We will be there to assist with regular maintenance, repairs, and replacements if needed. We’ve been bringing comfort to the valley for over 30 years, so you can count on us to get the job done right. Our highly trained technicians in Scottsdale, Arizona, want to bring a little more comfort to your world!
