So you’re moving into your first house. Congratulations! There’s a lot to pack and prep and plan for. Moving into your new home isn’t an overnight decision, nor is it a quick task to plan for. This is easily months to a year in the making. What with packing, looking for where you’ll be getting your groceries, sending your kids to school, scheduling what day to have the movers drop everything off, and perhaps even traveling… you’re probably not thinking about something like your HVAC system.
In reality, your HVAC system is going to be the difference between a comfortable home and one that feels stuffy and miserable. After getting everything moved in, no doubt you’re going to want to relax and put your feet up. If your home’s AC or heating system isn’t working, now you’ve got bigger problems.
At AirWorks Solutions, we know a thing or two about HVAC systems. Our Mom-Approved Technicians have been providing outstanding HVAC service to families since 2002. If you’ve lived in apartments or rented spaces up until this point, you probably didn’t have to think about your HVAC system until it broke…and then you would just call a maintenance number. Now that you’re a homeowner, you’re ready to take pride in your house – and that includes your heating and cooling equipment!
Let’s go over the top 3 things new homeowners need to know about their HVAC systems before and after they move in!
#1: Importance of Maintaining Your HVAC System
Maintenance is more than just dusting off the area where your furnace is, or taking care of the weeds around the air conditioner unit outside your home. Not only is maintenance important for older systems, it’s also important for new ones, too! Your first step is to understand how old your HVAC system is, and when it was installed.
When Was My HVAC System Installed?
If your new home already has an air conditioner and a heater installed, it’s hard to say how long it’s been there and how well it was maintained by the previous owner. In some cases you might find a sticker with the installation date from the installer. If the home was newly constructed, it’s a safe bet the system is brand new as well. Or, you might see the sticker of the company that installed the system – you could give them a call and ask!
Your Mom-Approved HVAC technician can make an educated guess based on the age of the home, the model, and so forth. When you get settled into your new home, you want to make sure everything works as expected. A visit from one of our experts will get you started off on the right foot.
Do I Need Maintenance Right Away?
Obviously, if your HVAC system doesn’t turn on, you’ll need a technician to come over quickly (preferably one of ours at AirWorks Solutions). But if everything seems normal, it’s still a good idea to schedule a maintenance appointment to get an idea of what you’ve got installed in your home and if it needs attention.
HVAC maintenance (for both heating and cooling) should be performed once a year. HVAC maintenance sessions involve a skilled technician coming to your home to tune up your systems, address any minor problems or schedule a follow-up if necessary. Think of it like a check-up, but for your air conditioning and heating.
The Benefits of HVAC Maintenance in Your New Home
Maintenance isn’t just about checking in, though. When you commit to getting an HVAC tune-up once a year, you can extend the life of your systems! How is that possible? HVAC technicians can spot minor problems before they do any significant damage. The longer you go without addressing problems with your system, the more wear and tear it will take on. You’ll need more complex repairs, and you’ll most likely end up replacing the unit prematurely.
HVAC maintenance also promotes cost and energy efficiency. When your heating and cooling require more power than usual to operate, they end up costing twice as much in energy bills. A damaged HVAC system will struggle to keep your house warm or cool. So preventative maintenance is key for a longer-lasting system and reduced energy bills. Not to mention your home will feel more comfortable!
#2: When to Call for HVAC Repair
Now that you’re a little more responsible for the condition of your HVAC systems, do you know when it’s necessary to call for repair? Oftentimes, homeowners will put off calling about repairs when they notice weird noises, cold spots, irregular smells, and so on. They can’t be bothered to call up a repairman when the issues are tolerable.
But the truth is these are noticeable symptoms of a bigger issue, a result of something worse you can’t see. For example, if you hear banging noises coming from your unit, there is probably a part loose and moving around. If your heater smells a little like burning, it could just be dust…or something more serious.
- Warm air when your HVAC is set to cool
- Cold air when your HVAC is set to heat
- Poor/weak airflow
- High humidity
- Leaking
- Bad smells
- Loud, irregular noises
- The system isn’t responding to the thermostat
- Short cycling (turning on and off frequently)
When you come across one or more of these problems, give us a call right away!
#3: How Do You Know You Need an HVAC Replacement?
So let’s say you’re all settled into your new place, and-uh oh, your HVAC is starting to give you more grief than relief! Your airflow is weak, you need repairs over and over again, and your energy bill is spiking rapidly. You just don’t get what’s wrong.
Unfortunately, no matter how well you maintain your air conditioning and heating systems, eventually, you will need to replace them. If you’ve moved into a home where the previous owner neglected their HVAC, you’re probably suffering the consequences.
- Rapidly increasing energy bills
- Back-to-back repairs
- System is over 10 years old
- HVAC system struggles to provide strong airflow
- System breaks down completely
Most HVAC systems can last anywhere from 10 to 15 years (20 if you’re super lucky). This is based on how often you had your system tuned up over the years and how much wear and tear it has suffered. You may have it for less time if you’ve bought a home with an older, used system.
Repairs should only be needed once in a great while, and not consistently. If you find yourself calling for repairs over and over again in a short period of time, you’re basically putting a bandaid on a popped tire. It needs to be replaced.
HVAC replacement may seem intimidating because of the cost involved, but it is completely worth it to have a new system that produces warm and cool air efficiently, doesn’t overuse power to operate, and will last you over a decade.
On the flip side, if you’re moving into a brand-new home that doesn’t have an HVAC system installed, you can give us a call to discuss what model is right for you.
Need Help with Your HVAC in Ventura County?
For all things HVAC, our Mom-Approved Technicians at AirWorks Solutions can help! We’re the homegrown, family-owned, and Mom-Approved HVAC leaders here in Ventura County, CA. We value honesty, integrity, value, and our relationships with our customers. We’ve been providing great service to our community for over a decade, and homeowners know they can rely on us for their HVAC needs for life!
Our Mom-Approved Technicians are consistently learning and adjusting to the ever-growing HVAC industry with new technology and techniques. We’ve received hundreds of positive reviews and are NATE certified. Additionally, we’re proud to say we’re a Rheem Pro Partner, a Fujitsu Elite Contractor, and we also install quality Bosch Heat Pumps. We believe in the power of great work, customer satisfaction, and above all, that ever-important Mom-Approval!
If you’re moving into a new home and need some HVAC expertise, contact our Mom-Approved team at AirWorks Solutions today!
