If you’ve recently purchased a new home, your focus may be on decorating the house to match your style. Many homeowners focus on the look and feel of their new homes, and forget about the most important aspects.

Ignoring your HVAC system can cause headaches and large repair bills down the road. Instead of being caught by surprise when your heat suddenly stops working, start by learning the basics now.

Keep reading to discover the HVAC basics every homeowner should know.

1. Always Change Your Filter

One of the easiest tips for taking care of your HVAC system is to routinely change your air filter.

Experts recommend you change your filter every three months. A good way to remember it’s time to change your filter is to always do this task when the seasons change. So when winter turns to spring, you know it’s time to switch out your filter.

Not only does this keep your system running efficiently, but it also helps improve the air quality in your home.

2. Keep Your Outdoor Unit Clean

Another one of the important HVAC tips is to keep your outdoor unit clean. Try to do this task around the same time you also change your filter.

First, start by removing any debris, such as leaves or growth, from around the perimeter of your unit. Then, you can turn off power to the unit and clean it off with your garden hose. Consider taking the panels off the unit and giving it a deep clean occasionally as well.

3. Invest in Regular Maintenance

Maintaining your HVAC system is one of the most important things a homeowner needs to do. Besides the simple tasks above, consider investing in an annual maintenance plan with an HVAC technician.

Many technicians, like Yazd Mechanical, have preventive maintenance plans. These include simple tasks like inspecting the general condition of the unit, but also more complicated things like cleaning the condensation drain line. With a set plan in place, you’ll rest easy knowing your HVAC system is being taken care of properly.

In addition, regular maintenance can help extend the life of your system.

4. Know When to Replace

The last thing to consider when understanding your HVAC system is when to replace your current unit.

The average HVAC system has a lifespan of around 15-20 years. Depending on how old your current system is, the time to replace may already be here. But how exactly can you tell its time?

Take an inventory of how much the system has cost your recently in regard to repairs. Once your system is costing you a decent amount in repairs every few months, it might be more cost-effective to replace it.

This will save you money in the long run, along with a lot of headaches.

Keep These HVAC Basics in Mind

There you have it — four HVAC basics to help you better understand your own system.

Start by doing simple regular maintenance, like changing the air filter and keeping the outdoor unit clean, on your own. Then, invest in a preventative maintenance plan with your local trusted technician. Finally, don’t forget to keep in mind that your HVAC system will need to be replaced eventually.

Looking for more great tips to be a knowledgeable homeowner? If so, visit the Home and Design section of our website for all the best advice.