HVAC TIPS FOR NEW HOMEOWNERS
Purchasing a new home can be exciting, but also a bit overwhelming. That is why we have compiled our best tips for ensuring one of your homes most important pieces of equipment is working optimally. Whether you are moving into a new construction, or an existing home. It is important to protect the investment you have made.
1. Equipment registration:
If you move into a new construction home and you do not register your equipment you could lose out on years of valuable manufacture warranty! (Up to 5 years in most cases) If for any reason your equipment does not cool or heat and a part needs replacing, a certified technician will be able to pull up your systems warranty and order the necessary part from the manufacture. If you purchase or are looking to purchase an existing home, ensure the warranty is transferable.
2. Get familiar with your new system:
Make sure you understand how your system operates. Running the homes system through a heating and cooling cycle may be a good idea. Does is take a long time to cool to your desired temperature? Are some areas colder or hotter than others? These sort of findings are important to discuss with a professional HVAC contractor. Your HVAC system will warm you in the winter and cool you in the summer. The summers in north Texas cities like Dallas, Richardson, and Plano can be brutal but we all have recently learned how harsh winters can be in the DFW as well!
3. Check your filters:
How often you will need to change your filters will depend largely on a few factors. Some of these are: the type of filter(s) present, size of the household , number of pets present in the home, and whether any construction or high pollution levels are present near your home.
4. Check your outdoor unit:
Make sure your outdoor unit is unobstructed. Ideally your ac unit has 2-3 feet of space from any nearby bushes or shrubbery. Cutting away any bushes or plants that grow into or near the unit, may prolong the life of the system. This may also be a good time to ensure your system hasn’t built up too much dirt or debris that would keep it from working as efficiently as it could. Scheduling regular ac and heating visits can save you time and money, as our professionally trained technicians will be able to perform this as part of routine maintenance.
5. Check your drains:
Check to make sure the drain line is draining properly. A clogged ac drain is one of the most common reasons for an ac system not to cool during the hot summer months.
6. Ensure all areas of your home cool and heat properly:
If you mostly spend time in one part of the house it is important to find out if some areas of your home are not operating properly. The last any homeowner wants is a guest in town with no AC or Heat!
7. Maintenance:
Get your system(s) regularly maintained. Every HVAC system manufacture will want to know that the equipment is properly cared for before approving parts or equipment be replaced under warranty. You can always turn to A Star for your regular HVAC visits. There are tons of benefits to becoming a Gold Star Member.
8. Ductwork inspection:
Have your Ductwork inspected at least once a year. If anyone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma one of the best things you can do is to have a duct cleaning performed. Not only will everyone breath easier, but your HVAC system will perform better as well.