Your New System Care Guide
Congratulations on your new equipment. Here’s how to run it right, keep the warranty strong, and know when to call.
The First Few Weeks
Normal — no call needed
- A faint smell during the first hours of operation — protective oils and dust burning off
- New sounds — new equipment sounds different than what it replaced; modern variable-speed systems often run longer and quieter
- Heat pumps: steam or a whooshing sound during winter defrost cycles, and water dripping under the outdoor unit
- Slight thermostat learning/adjustment period on smart controls
Call us — don’t wait
- Burning smell that lasts beyond the first day, or any electrical smell
- Water pooling around indoor equipment
- Breaker tripping, system short-cycling (on/off every few minutes), or error codes on the thermostat
- Ice building on refrigerant lines or the indoor coil in summer
- Any CO detector activation — leave the house first, then call 911, then us
Care by System Type
Filters — the one job that’s yours
| Filter Type | Check | Replace |
|---|---|---|
| 1″ pleated | Monthly | Every 1–3 months |
| 4–5″ media filter | Every 3 months | Every 6–12 months |
| Homes with pets / allergies | Monthly | On the early end of the range |
Running it right
- Note your filter size (printed on the frame) in your phone right now — future you says thanks
- Keep supply and return vents open and unblocked in every room — closing vents doesn’t save money, it strains the blower
- Modest thermostat setbacks (a few degrees) are fine; extreme swings make the system work harder to recover
- If you have a REME HALO or other IAQ device, its cell/bulb has a replacement schedule — we track it at your maintenance visits
Run it differently than your old system
- Set it and leave it. Heat pumps are most efficient and most comfortable holding a steady temperature. Skip the big nighttime setbacks you used with oil or gas — recovery from a deep setback costs more than it saves
- Winter supply air feels cooler than a furnace’s blast (roughly 90–110°F instead of 120°F+) but runs longer — that’s design, not a defect
- Defrost cycles are normal: a few minutes of steam, whooshing, and the indoor unit pausing. Water and some ice under the outdoor unit in winter is normal — never chip ice off the coil
- If you have backup/auxiliary heat or a dual-fuel setup, we set the changeover during commissioning — don’t adjust it without talking to us
Filters & the outdoor unit
- Filter schedule same as the furnace table (1″ monthly-ish, media 6–12 months) — heat pumps move air year-round, so filters load faster
- Keep 2 feet clear around the outdoor unit; brush snow off gently after storms and keep the base drainage clear
- Don’t cover the outdoor unit in winter — it needs to run
Wash the filters — don’t buy them
| Task | How Often | How |
|---|---|---|
| Rinse mesh filters | Monthly in heavy use, at least every 6–8 weeks | Lift the front cover, slide filters out, rinse with water, air-dry, slide back in — 5 minutes per head |
| Wipe the head’s exterior & louvers | Seasonally | Soft dry cloth, unit off |
| Deep coil & blower-wheel cleaning | Professional, at maintenance visits | We handle it — buildup here is what causes the “dirty sock” smell and lost capacity |
Running it right
- Set it and leave it — same rule as ducted heat pumps. Constant, steady temps beat on/off cycling for both comfort and cost
- Use each zone’s setting for the room it serves; closing a door doesn’t hurt anything
- Defrost steam and dripping at the outdoor unit in winter is normal; keep the base clear of ice dams and snow drifts, and never chip ice off the coil
- Remote showing an error code or a blinking light on the head? Note the pattern and call us — codes tell our techs exactly where to look
What’s yours vs. ours
- Yours: keep the area around the boiler clear (3 feet), glance at the pressure gauge monthly — typical residential systems sit roughly 12–20 psi cold; note what “normal” looks like for yours and call if it’s climbing or dropping
- Yours: bleed noisy/cold baseboards or radiators if you’re comfortable doing it — or leave it for your maintenance visit
- Ours: annual service — combustion analysis, safety controls, relief valve, expansion tank, and (for Navien and other high-efficiency condensing boilers) condensate trap and neutralizer service. High-efficiency boilers are not “install and ignore” — annual service is required, not optional
Watch for
- Water on the floor near the boiler or drips from the relief valve pipe — call us, that valve is doing its job and telling you something
- Repeated pressure loss or needing to add water — usually a small leak somewhere in the system
- Any error code on the display — snap a photo of it before it clears
Protecting Your Warranty
Three rules keep your coverage intact:
- 1 · Registration — done. Our office registers your equipment with the manufacturer after installation; keep the confirmation with your job paperwork.
- 2 · Annual professional maintenance — manufacturers require documented regular professional maintenance to keep parts coverage valid. Skipped years can void claims. Our maintenance membership handles the schedule and the documentation automatically.
- 3 · No unauthorized work — repairs or modifications by unlicensed persons can void coverage. If anyone needs to touch the system, call us first.
Your specific coverage terms (parts years, compressor/heat exchanger terms, and any extended labor coverage you purchased) are in your installation paperwork — call the office any time and we’ll pull your file.
Your Maintenance Schedule
| Equipment | Professional Service | When |
|---|---|---|
| Gas furnace | Tune-up, combustion & safety check | Every fall |
| Central AC | Coil, charge & electrical check | Every spring |
| Heat pump / ductless | Full service (it works year-round) | Twice a year — spring & fall |
| Boiler | Annual service incl. condensate service on high-efficiency models | Every fall |
| Tankless water heater | Descale & service | Annually |
The Fine Print
General guidance
This guide provides general care information for typical residential equipment and is for informational purposes only. Your equipment’s owner’s manual and your installation paperwork control for your specific models; where this page differs from the manufacturer’s instructions, follow the manufacturer. This page is not a contract and does not modify the terms of your installation agreement or any warranty.
Homeowner tasks
Tasks described as homeowner tasks (filter changes, filter rinsing, keeping units clear) are performed at your own risk; turn equipment off before touching filters or covers. Do not open sealed service panels, adjust internal controls, work on gas or refrigerant lines, or perform electrical work — these require licensed, trained professionals and doing so may void your warranty.
Warranties
Warranty terms are set by the equipment manufacturer and by your signed installation agreement, not by this page. Typical figures mentioned here are examples only. Most manufacturers condition coverage on registration and documented regular professional maintenance; requirements vary by brand and model. Refer to your paperwork or call our office for your actual coverage.
Readings & ranges
Any temperatures, pressures, or intervals shown are typical ranges for common residential equipment and may not match your system’s specifications. When in doubt, call before adjusting anything.
General
3R Plumbing & Mechanical LLC · 77 Accord Park Drive, Suite D6, Norwell, MA 02061 · MA Master Plumber License PL17071-M. Licensed and insured. Content is subject to change without notice. © 3R Plumbing & Mechanical LLC. All rights reserved.