I just bought a home. Now what?
The 4 things every new home owner must understand about their home’s HVAC system.
Congratulations, you just purchased your first home. There are many new and exciting things including sounds, smells, and sleep-wakening fears. Don’t worry, that’s all normal, and you’re not alone. In this blog, we simply want to provide you 4 things you should understand about your home’s HVAC system.
So, rest easy. Here’s what you need to know!
Ductwork & Insulation: It’s okay, you don’t have to be a professional to check these two things. With your ductwork, check to see if your vents are clear of debris (inside & out), and make sure you can feel the airflow through them. If you are not feeling appropriate airflow (dictated by whether it’s warm or cool air, and what your temperature is set at) try cleaning the vents. If that doesn’t work, contact a professional. You may have a backup in the duct which is harming your home’s airflow. This also is costing you more money to run your HVAC system.
Insulation is often a problem when it comes to keeping home’s warm (or cool). So, make sure that you have proper insulation in the appropriate rooms. One trick is to light a stick of incense and pass it over any window seals or duct connections. If the smoke from the incense being moving toward or from the seal or duct, you likely have a leak. Good insulation ensures that your home will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. So make sure you check it.
Frequency of Filter Changes: Checking and changing your air filters is one of the easiest things to do, and also one of the things that is forgotten the most. If you’ve followed us on social media or our blog, we are continuously reminding people to “change their dang filters.” This is because a clean and clear air filter allows for air to move directly from the furnace or AC unit into the home; think about it as the first line of defense. We recommend checking your filters every 3 months.
Bi-Annual Professional Checkups: A professional opinion, cleaning, and inspection, twice a year is important. These encounters happen twice - once for your furnace in the fall and once for your AC unit in the spring - so that you can ensure your family - and home - is protected, and the systems are working appropriately. These checkups are well worth the minimal cost, and you can’t really put a cost on peace of mind when it comes to your HVAC systems.
Use your Eyes, Nose, and Ears: Believe it or not, but you can use your eyes, nose, and ears to your advantage. First of all, if you’re seeing dirt in the air consistently, that’s not okay (seems like rocket science, but you wouldn’t believe some of the situations we’ve seen). Also, your sense of smell can really help you protect your home from any HVAC issues. If you smell burning, mold, or anything that seems out of the norm, call a professional. Finally, you ears will hold you accountable to any major issues with the system. If it sounds broken, it likely is.
Just use the common sense model. If something seems off, contact a professional. It’s way better to be safe than sorry.
Once again, congratulations on purchasing your new home. If you’re interested our team would love to provide you with a home warming gift. Connect with us today and we’ll come out to do an inspection and filter change (FREE OF CHARGE).
TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE FREE INSPECTION
If you know someone who needs to see this post, make sure you share it with them too!
- A R Engh Team