HVAC Tips for New Homeowners: What You Need to Know

Congratulations on becoming a homeowner! As you begin turning a house into your home, consider technical aspects like your HVAC system. 

The HVAC experts at Martens Heating and Cooling have compiled some of our top HVAC tips for homeowners in the Fox Cities area and beyond. Let’s make sure your unit is running smoothly and efficiently year-round. 

Understand Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system, which stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, is the key factor in maintaining indoor comfort in your home. This system works together as a furnace, air conditioner, ductwork, thermostat, and more to regulate temperature, humidity, and air quality throughout your living space. 

As you likely already know, the furnace heats your home during colder months, while the air conditioner cools it down in warmer seasons. Ductwork distributes conditioned air, ensuring uniform comfort in every room of your home. The thermostat, or smart thermostat, acts as the control center, allowing you to set and adjust temperature settings according to your preferences. 

Understanding the basics of your HVAC system is important for proper maintenance and efficient operation, which can help create a comfortable and healthy indoor environment for you and your family in your new home.

HVAC Maintenance Checklist for New Homeowners

This checklist from Martens Heating and Cooling can keep your HVAC unit running smoothly and efficiently. 

Replace Filters Regularly

This simple task of replacing air filters not only helps to prevent breakdowns and extend the lifespan of your HVAC system but also contributes to lower energy bills and healthier indoor air for you and your family.

Filters help boost indoor air quality and maximize the efficiency of your HVAC system. Over time, filters become clogged with dust, dirt, and other airborne particles, blocking airflow and straining your system. 

To maintain optimal performance, your HVAC filters should be replaced every six to 12 months for filter media cabinets. If you have pets or family members with allergies or respiratory issues, you may need to change your filter more frequently. 

Clean Vents and Registers

Regularly cleaning vents and registers helps maintain the highest quality airflow and improves indoor air quality by preventing the circulation of allergens and pollutants throughout your home. 

Cleaning vents and registers is an essential aspect of HVAC maintenance that often goes overlooked. Over time, dust, dirt, pet hair, and other debris can accumulate in these areas around your home, obstructing airflow and reducing the efficiency of your HVAC system. 

Start by removing the vent covers and using a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment to remove loose debris. At Martens Heating and Cooling, we also provide duct cleaning if vacuuming the areas you can’t reach isn’t sufficient. For stubborn dirt and grime, you can use a damp cloth or a gentle cleaning solution to wipe down the surfaces. 

Pay special attention to the louvers and fins, ensuring that they are clean and free from obstruction both inside and outside your home. Once cleaned, reinstall the vent covers securely.

Check for Air Leaks

Regularly checking for and sealing air leaks will help improve energy efficiency, reduce utility bills, and enhance indoor comfort in your home.

Air leaks can occur around windows, doors, electrical outlets, and other openings, allowing conditioned air to escape and outdoor air to enter, which can lead to increased energy consumption and discomfort. 

To check for air leaks, start by inspecting the seals around windows and doors for signs of damage or gaps. You can use a candle to detect drafts by holding it near potential leak areas and observing any flickering or movement of the flame or smoke. You can also use a thermal leak detector or infrared thermometer to identify temperature differences around doors and windows, indicating potential air leaks. 

Once identified, seal any leaks with weatherstripping, caulking, or foam insulation to prevent more air from entering your new house. 

Schedule Professional Maintenance

Scheduling professional maintenance for your HVAC system helps ensure long-term performance and efficiency. While many tasks, such as filter replacement and basic cleaning, you can handle yourself, certain HVAC maintenance aspects require a trained technician’s expertise. 

By scheduling professional maintenance every 6-12 months, you can catch minor issues before they escalate into costly repairs, prolong the lifespan of your HVAC equipment, and maintain consistent comfort levels in your home. 

Professional maintenance typically includes a comprehensive inspection of your system, checking for any potential issues or inefficiencies that could lead to breakdowns or reduced performance. If you work with Martens Heating and Cooling, one of our skilled technicians will also lubricate any moving parts, test your thermostat calibration, and check refrigerant levels to ensure optimal operation. 

Additionally, many HVAC system manufacturers require regular professional maintenance to maintain warranty coverage, making it a wise investment in your system’s longevity and reliability.

“We had the pleasure of using Martens for our new home construction. They came highly recommended by a lot of friends and clients. We couldn’t be happier than we are. We enjoyed visiting while our home was being built, and the staff was always friendly and answered any questions. We were lucky to have been able to work with this company.” — Deanna F. 

Give our team a call today!

Troubleshooting Common HVAC Issues

HVAC tips for homeowners also include troubleshooting common HVAC problems that may arise once you move in. 

Uneven Heating or Cooling

Several factors can contribute to uneven temperature distribution throughout your home, including blocked vents, dirty filters, or ductwork problems such as leaks or restrictions. Also, improperly sized HVAC equipment or issues with insulation and air sealing can lead to inconsistent temperatures. 

To address uneven heating or cooling, start by checking and cleaning vents, replacing your filter, and ensuring that vents and registers are not blocked by furniture or other obstructions. If this doesn’t resolve the issue, inspect your ductwork for leaks or restrictions and seal any gaps. Repairing damaged ducts may be necessary. 

Consulting with a professional HVAC technician from Martens Heating and Cooling can help identify the root cause of the problem and help you find the appropriate solutions to restore balanced temperature distribution throughout your home. 

Strange Noises

Common noises include rattling, banging, hissing, or squealing, and each can point to different problems. 

  • Rattling noises might indicate loose components.
  • Banging could signal a more serious issue, such as a failing blower motor or compressor. 
  • Hissing noises suggest a refrigerant leak, which requires immediate attention to prevent further damage to your system. 
  • Squealing sounds often indicate problems with belts or bearings that need lubrication or replacement. 

Ignoring these noises can lead to significant issues and costly repairs down the line. If you notice any unusual sounds coming from your HVAC system, address them immediately. 

Contacting a Martens Heating and Cooling HVAC technician to diagnose and repair the issue can help ensure your system operates smoothly and quietly, providing reliable comfort for your home.

High Energy Bills

High energy bills can be a source of concern for homeowners, but understanding the potential reasons behind them can help you take steps to reduce your energy consumption and save money. 

Many factors can contribute to high energy bills, including inefficient HVAC equipment, poor insulation, air leaks, and thermostat settings. If your HVAC system is outdated or not properly maintained, it may be working harder than necessary to heat or cool your home, resulting in increased energy usage. 

Poor insulation and air leaks can also lead to heat loss in the winter and heat gain in the summer, causing your HVAC system to run frequently to maintain comfortable temperatures. Additionally, setting your thermostat too high or too low can lead to unnecessary energy consumption. 

To address high energy bills, consider scheduling professional maintenance for your HVAC system, sealing air leaks, improving insulation, and adjusting your thermostat settings to more energy-efficient levels. By taking these steps, you can lower your energy bills and increase the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling system, ultimately saving you money.

Contact Martens Heating and Cooling Today

If you have questions about your HVAC unit in your new Appleton, Oshkosh, or Neenah-area home, or if your current HVAC unit needs repairs or maintenance, contact Martens Heating and Cooling experts today. 

With extensive knowledge and experience in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning industry, our Omro-based team can provide valuable insights, guidance, and solutions tailored to your specific needs. 

“Marten’s Heating is wonderful, the service and prices are so great I don’t even shop around. We have used them for flipping house projects, our rental, and our personal home. I’ve recommended Martens to countless people, and they’ve all been happy. Keep doing what you do 😉.” — M’s World

Whether you’re seeking advice on system maintenance or troubleshooting HVAC issues, our team is here to help. Our technicians travel throughout the Fox Cities area, including:

Call us today to ensure your HVAC unit is running smoothly.

Call Marten's Heating & Cooling at 920-685-0111

Martens Heating & Cooling