New Homeowner Tips to Maintaining an HVAC System

03 Feb New Homeowner Tips to Maintaining an HVAC System

SERVING AREAS OF BRISTOL, JOHNSON CITY, AND KINGSPORT TN

Buying a new home is an exciting time, especially if it’s your first. As a new homeowner, it’s critical you become familiar with your home’s operating systems, namely your HVAC unit and how it’s maintained. Local HVAC technicians in Kingsport at Thompson Electrical Service are providing new homeowner tips to maintaining an HVAC system on the blog today, so you can enjoy your new home in comfort.

HVAC Tips for New Homeowners

• Learn About Your HVAC System – Each home is different, and so are HVAC units. It’s important to learn about your system to be prepared when problems arise. Therefore, you need to know if your home has central heat and air, heat pumps, mini-split systems, or a boiler. Depending on your system, you will need to know what fuels it, such as electricity, oil, natural gas, or propane. In addition, you also need to know the age of your unit as most start experiencing problems between 10 – 15 years of age. You should also understand the terms of your unit’s warranty, which could help when a problem arises. Also, HVAC systems have an energy rating that determines the efficiency of a unit, which could help determine the average amount of your monthly energy bill. Lastly, inquire about the maintenance inspection from the previous homeowner. Request the inspection reports to review the problems they experienced and to be aware of potential problems.
• Change the Air Filters – An effective way to ensure your HVAC unit runs efficiently is to change the air filters as recommended by the manufacturer. Most manufacturers recommend changing the filters every one to six months. Some units may have a thermostat that reminds you when it’s time to change the filter. How often you change the filters also may depend on the quality of filters you use.
• Check the Area Near Your Unit – Although concealing your unit with landscaping can make your yard beautiful, it can also cause system performance problems with restricted airflow. Keep foliage, shrubs, plants, and trees a minimum of three feet from the unit. If pine needles, leaves, or snow falls on your unit, it is recommended to clear it off.
• Watch For Ice – When you notice ice on your unit during winter, remove it, but do not pour warm water on your unit. If you can’t easily remove the ice or you notice ice on the unit in warmer weather, call your Johnson City HVAC technician immediately to prevent potential damage.
• Keep Your Vents Open – Some homeowners close the vents in rooms they don’t use to save on heating and cooling costs. However, closing your vents could cause your unit to work harder, so avoid blocking the registers with furniture, books, or other objects. To control the temperature in certain areas of your home, talk to your Kingsport HVAC technician about creating zones.
• Annual HVAC Maintenance – To get the most use out of your unit, it is highly recommended to have a certified HVAC technician in the Tri-Cities area to service the unit once a year. Your technician should be able to spot potential problems before they become a major issue. The best time to schedule maintenance is in the spring or fall before extreme temperatures of summer or winter arrive.
• Check the Ductwork – The ductwork in your home could leak, possibly causing your HVAC system to work overtime, trying to condition air that never reaches inside your home. If you notice musty smells, uneven temperatures, unusually high energy bills, high humidity levels, or your home is constantly dusty, call your local HVAC system maintenance company in Kingsport to inspect the ductwork for potential problems.
• Find a Reputable HVAC Company – Often, homeowners wait until they need an HVAC technician to find one. However, go ahead and find a company you can trust, has served your area for several years, specializes in various systems, and provides emergency HVAC services.

HVAC Maintenance in Kingsport, Bristol, and Johnson City

As one of the major features that provide comfort in your new home, your HVAC system needs regular maintenance to continue running at peak performance, keeping your energy bills low. If you have questions about your HVAC unit, contact your local Tri-Cities HVAC experts, Thompson Electrical Service, and we will be happy to assist you. We provide HVAC maintenance, installation, and emergency diagnostics to Kingsport, Britsol, and Johnson City. When you have a problem or need to schedule a maintenance appointment, call us at (423) 343-5726 or contact us via our website.