Buying your first home brings joy, but also adds a new list of things for you to learn and understand. Your Realtor® or homebuilder most likely elaborated on many of your home’s features, but HVAC systems may not have been covered in any significant detail.
Here’s the first thing to consider: the U.S. Department of Energy points out that heating and cooling your home utilizes more than 50% of the energy that you’re buying from the gas and electric companies. It’s important to understand how your HVAC system contributes to these costs. MTB Mechanical – the Charlotte region’s expert in The Science of Comfort — is here to help.
A good starting point is knowing that to keep your home’s HVAC system working properly, you should have it serviced twice each year. Routine service and maintenance can prolong the life of your system. MTB offers a Priority Comfort Agreement (PCA) to help you avoid breakdowns, reduce your energy bills, extend the life of your system and protect your warranty if your HVAC system is new.
Here are a few other tips to help keep your home cool in the summer months and warm in the winter months:
Replace your air filters regularly. This will help keep your system from working too hard to move air from your furnace or A/C unit into your living area. Changing the filters also ensures that flowing air is as clean as possible for you and your family. If you don’t think you’ll remember, sign up for monthly or quarterly filter reminders .
Keep all vents and registers completely free from obstructions. Never cover with furniture, rugs, curtains or other household items.
Doors and windows should be properly sealed, too. Caulk and weatherstrips are your friends! They will save you money and keep you more comfortable inside your home.
Keep your outside A/C unit clear of debris and landscaping . It’s perfectly fine to shield it from view if that’s your preference, but be sure to maintain a three-foot buffer between the unit and surrounding plants, trees or shrubs.
Be vigilant! To protect your investment, always be on the lookout for signs of a potential problem. Small ones can turn into larger issues if you wait. Keep a close eye on your energy bills. A sudden spike in costs could mean that your system isn’t operating as efficiently as it should.
Consider allowing the professionals at MTB to help you in your home ownership journey.