You own a home, and of course, it has a heating, ventilation, and cooling system as part of it, but as a homeowner, how do you maintain it? Keep in mind that your HVAC system includes numerous components such as your furnace, air conditioner, ductwork systems, vents & registers, thermostats, and air filters. Because your residential HVAC system is an expensive piece of equipment, our HVAC experts at Middletown Heating & Cooling recommend that all homeowners have their systems serviced by a qualified and NATE-certified technician at the start of spring and fall. However, even with this helpful information, a homeowner still needs to have a fundamental understanding of how all of the components and parts work together to maintain your house at its optimal comfort level. Below is a short explanation of HVAC basics every homeowner should know:
1. How Old Is Your HVAC System?
Knowing the age of your system might be necessary if something goes wrong. The life expectancy of your heating and cooling equipment is determined by how well they are taken care of and maintained. Furthermore, the longer an HVAC system operates, the less efficient it becomes. As a result, higher monthly energy costs will be generated due to increased energy consumption. According to our experts, a residential HVAC system should last between 10 to 15 years. With that being said, if your HVAC is near that age or older, knowing when your system was installed will prove beneficial when determining when to start looking for new parts or even a replacement.
2. What Kind of HVAC System Do You Have?
Another thing to consider is the sort of HVAC system they have. There are several different types of furnaces and air conditioners on the market. Because of this, ask yourself hard-hitting questions like: “Is my furnace a gas or electric unit?” Or, “Do I have central air?” Knowing these facts might help you make an informed decision about your HVAC system in the future if you find yourself biting the bullet on whether a repair or replacement is required. Of course, if you’re not sure what kind of system you have, that’s no problem! Your Middletown Heating & Cooling team is available to assist you with your HVAC concerns.
3. Why Is IAQ Important?
Did you know that the indoor air quality (IAQ) in a home may be up to five times more polluted than the outdoor air? Poor IAQ has the potential to impact your family’s health and well-being. While some people are less likely to be affected by air contaminants, poor air quality is typically harmful to those who suffer from pre-existing medical issues such as respiratory problems or asthma. Additionally, age is another major indicator of how people respond to poor air quality. So what does that mean for you? Well, the bottom line is that in order for everyone’s safety and comfort to be maintained, you must have excellent IAQ in your house. As a result, we strongly advise replacing your air filters every few months. An air filter’s function is to collect and retain pollutants; as a result, not changing them as recommended endangers both you and the health of your loved ones when it comes to your indoor air quality.
4. How Do You Find Out If Your HVAC System Is Faulty?
As a homeowner, you should familiarize yourself with your HVAC system. Being able to tell if there’s something wrong with it is crucial in determining what your HVAC system is trying to tell you. Another thing to bear in mind is that your thermostat works in unison with your HVAC system; it’s the mechanism that regulates and maintains the temperature in your house. So, if you find that your home isn’t as warm or chilly as it should be, check your thermostat settings. If everything appears to be correct, there could be a problem with your HVAC system that necessitates the assistance of one of our knowledgeable and friendly technicians at Middletown Heating & Cooling.
5. Do I Need To Practice Preventative Maintenance?
With all of this information, you may be wondering what you can do to keep your HVAC system running smoothly? Well, you don’t have to worry; we’ve got you covered! Just like you take your car in the be serviced, the same goes for your residential HVAC. This means that every fall and spring, your furnace and A/C should be serviced for their tune-up and safety checks. Overall, regular maintenance is necessary for homeowners to schedule because it helps guarantee that your HVAC system is in working condition. Not to mention, this is an excellent opportunity for our team of specialists to identify any minor issues before they become more prominent and more extensive. Scheduling your preventative maintenance appointments also keeps your warranties intact and provides you with peace of mind knowing that you and your family will be comfortable all year!
If you found this article to be helpful, please don’t hesitate to contact us at (513) 268-3789 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here! Or, if you have any more questions regarding HVAC fundamentals, our staff at Middletown Heating & Cooling is eager to assist you in any way we can. Book us today and see what a five-star service is like!