First-Time Homeowner HVAC Q&A

First-Time Homeowner HVAC Q&A
4 Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner

First-Time Homeowner HVAC Q&A

Congratulations on your new home! Buying a new home is so exciting, but often pretty overwhelming. It can be easy to get caught up in the process and forget about certain details. Perhaps one of the most overlooked parts of any new home is the HVAC system. It’s a system which many of us don’t understand and avoid thinking about until it breaks. Get familiar with your HVAC system and how to take care of it by reading this helpful article. After all, your HVAC system is typically one of the biggest investments you have in your home. Treat it as such!

What Can I DIY On My System?

It’s a good rule of thumb to leave most things involving HVAC, plumbing, and electrical to the professionals. However, you definitely can, and should, replace your air filter regularly. While it depends on how many pets and people you have in your home, it’s good practice to replace your filter every 1-3 months. Replace your filter more often if you have pets which shed or a large family, especially if you have allergy sufferers in your household. If you ignore your air filter, it will become clogged with dust, dirt, pet hair, and other contaminants, and you’ll experience reduced airflow, higher energy bills, lower quality air, and more strain on your HVAC system.

Should I Have My System Inspected?

When you move into a new home, it’s always recommended you have your HVAC system inspected and serviced. When you sign up for a maintenance plan with Island Air, we service your system twice a year. These maintenance visits can keep your warranty in effect as well as catch any needed repairs before they become a big problem. Maintenance will also ensure your system runs at maximum efficiency, keeping you comfortable and saving you money on energy bills. You can rest easy knowing your system is in tip-top shape. 

Is My HVAC System Under Warranty?

We mentioned maintenance keeping your warranty in tack, but when you move into a new home with a new HVAC system, you’ll need to make sure the warranty can be transferred. Or, if your home is a new build, you should be able to register your system with the manufacturer. This typically needs to be done within 90 days after closing for the warranty to be viable. If the home was previously owned, the warranty may not be transferable. Speak with the previous homeowners and obtain the necessary paperwork and information to see if the warranty can be transferred. 

How Do I Pick An HVAC Service Provider?

When moving into a new area, it can be hard to decide on a new HVAC contractor. There are often many options, so it’s important to know what to look for. First, ensure your HVAC service provider is both licensed and insured. This is crucial in order to protect both yourself as the homeowner and the HVAC technicians. It’s a good idea to ask your new neighbors if they have a service provider which they have used and like. This can give you some ideas of reputable HVAC technicians in your area. Spend time reading some online reviews and researching the services they offer. With these steps you’ll be able to make the perfect pick! 

Choose Island Air

Go with Island Air for all your HVAC needs in the Gulf Shores, AL area! Give us a call at (251) 943-4709 with any HVAC questions you have. For more information on our services, visit our website at https://callislandair.com/ or email us at islandair@callislandair.com. We are your trusted American Standard Customer Care Dealer serving Baldwin County, AL. 

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Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist

Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist
Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist

Room-by-Room Spring Cleaning Checklist

Do you run and hide at the mention of the words “spring cleaning?” If you’re like most of us, the answer is yes. Spring cleaning doesn’t have to be a daunting task, though! By taking on one room at a time, you can ensure every area of your home gets the attention it needs without trying to do it all at once. Follow this room- by-room spring cleaning checklist to help ensure your home is cleaned from top to bottom. 

Spring Cleaning Checklist

☐  The Kitchen

It’s easiest to tackle spring cleaning by breaking your home down into sections. This makes the entire process feel much less overwhelming. For your kitchen, begin by emptying all your drawers, cabinets, and fridge to give them a good cleaning while empty. As you take out all of your food, pay attention to expirations dates and toss out old or unwanted items. Next, give all of your appliances a good scrub. Your oven, stovetop, microwave, and sink could all use a thorough cleaning. To finish things up, wipe down and sanitize your countertops, drawer or cabinet handles, backsplash, sink, and kitchen floor (after sweeping or vacuuming). 

Spring Cleaning Checklist

☐  Living Room

Your living room is a hotspot for dust, dirt, and pollen. With many people coming in and out, it can be tricky to keep this area clean. Begin by dusting everything (and we mean everything). This includes ceiling fans, light fixtures, shelves, blinds, furniture, tabletops, decor, air vents, and more. After you’ve dusted, vacuum your furniture and floors to cut down on any pollen which could have been tracked in on family member’s clothes or shoes. 

Spring Cleaning Checklist

☐  Bathrooms

By now, you can see the routine. Clear out your bathroom cabinets and drawers to give them a good cleaning and then reorganize. Deep clean your bathroom sinks, toilets, and mirrors. Finish everything off by sweeping and then mopping the floors. As you clean, keep an eye out for any grout lines which may need to be resealed. Lastly, don’t forget to give those bathroom curtains, rugs, and decorative towels a wash; we know it’s been awhile. 

Spring Cleaning Checklist

☐  Bedrooms

Time to put your washer to work! Wash your pillows, comforters or duvets, curtains, sheets, and blankets. While everything is in the wash, flip your mattress if needed. Follow the same dusting routine as you did with your living room, by wiping down decor, baseboards, light switches, lighting fixtures, and more. If your bedrooms are carpeted, consider shampooing them for a much deeper clean than only vacuuming.

Insider tip: If you have pets, you can actually try raking your carpet every year to pull up pet hair that the vacuum can’t get on its own. Rake before you vacuum and you’ll be astonished at the amount of hair you might pull up.

Spring Cleaning Checklist

☐  Indoor Air

All of this cleaning can help your home feel fresh and comfortable to live in. However, installing an air purification system is the only way to ensure airborne contaminants are regularly removed from your home. Without an air purification system, a large amount of allergens could be floating throughout your home this spring. Simply contact Island Air to discuss air purification solutions and find which system best suits the needs of your home and your family. 

Learn More

Give us a call at (251) 943-4709 to ensure your home’s air is clean and healthy to breathe. For more information on our services, visit our website at https://callislandair.com/ or email us at islandair@callislandair.com. We are your trusted American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning Customer Care Dealer in South Baldwin County, AL. 

Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Instagram for more helpful information regarding your home comfort and your HVAC system! spring cleaning checklist spring cleaning checklist spring cleaning checklist