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There's a lot to do when moving into a new house! You've probably already got your hands full with unpacking, changing addresses, and learning your new neighborhood, but that doesn't mean you should neglect your HVAC system. As with every other home maintenance task, getting started early will help save you money and prevent frustration down the line.

These three tips will help you get started with a preventative HVAC maintenance plan to maximize the reliability, comfort, and efficiency of your new system. A thorough maintenance routine is crucial, even if you hired a contractor to inspect your system before purchasing your new home.

1. Gather Information

There are a few pieces of information you should have about your HVAC equipment, no matter how old it happens to be. These include: 

• Original installer and installation date
• Brand and model
• Current warranty status
• Last service date or service history 

If you're lucky, you may have some of this information from the previous owners. If not, check for documentation attached to your furnace or air handler unit. Most installers will place stickers or plaques to indicate the original install date, and you may be able to find tags with recent service information. You can use these dates to determine if you need to schedule a maintenance visit.

2. Check the Basics

While it's ideal for a new home to be "ready to use," this isn't always the case. Before spending too much time running your air conditioner or furnace, you'll want to make sure the previous owners left them in good condition. Start by locating and checking your air filter. If it seems dirty or old, replace it immediately. These items are cheap, so it's better to err on the side of caution.

For the summer, you'll also want to take a look at your outdoor condenser unit. Do the coil fins appear dirty or clogged up? If so, you'll want to give them a quick cleaning with a garden hose (never use a pressure washer!). You may want a professional to perform a more thorough cleaning, but a quick wash will keep your system running efficiently in the meantime.

2. Set Up a Service Visit

HVAC equipment typically requires annual maintenance. While you can handle some of these tasks on your own, you should leave many maintenance and inspection items to the professionals. No matter the age of your system, you'll want to set up a first-year inspection and tune-up to handle critical maintenance tasks and deal with any looming issues.

As a general rule, you should schedule this visit as soon as possible if you can't find information about recent service calls. On the other hand, there's no rush if you have documentation showing the previous owners serviced the system recently. In these cases, try to set up a maintenance visit by the end of the season and schedule additional services at least once per year going forward.