Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any underlying problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re holding up? A good thing for first-time home buyers to inspect is the condition of the house’s HVAC heating and cooling. A furnace that’s in particularly bad shape may be the difference between making an offer on a house and searching elsewhere.
So if you’re a first-time home buyer, what should be on your HVAC checklist? Let’s take a look at some of the key things you’ll want to know about the HVAC system.
What Should Be on Your HVAC Checklist?
Unless you’re already familiar with HVAC systems, you may not know what to look for. Luckily, there are a few pieces of information that can offer insight into the overall condition the HVAC system is in.
What year was the equipment manufactured and installed?
If you can, you’ll want to learn when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models are sometimes less energy efficient and can lack useful features used in new equipment. This should be fairly easy to find, but it’s also only half the information you want. You should also try and find out when the equipment was installed.
Even if an HVAC system was manufactured several years ago, the installation itself could have been more recent. Recent installations are more likely to be in good shape, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.
What service company installed it?
This isn’t always be easy to verify, but the previous homeowner may have scheduled a tune-up or maintenance visit before placing the house up for sale. When this is the same service company that installed it, you can get a better sense of the degree of service the HVAC equipment has received so far.
Has it received any routine maintenance?
Professional preventive maintenance is one of the best things you can do for HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother with it, which may leave the HVAC system at a larger risk of problems, namely if the HVAC system hasn’t even been used in a while. Routine maintenance can consist of everything from replacing the air filter to keeping moving components clean and well-lubricated.
What ratings are available for your HVAC system?
Once you find the make and model, you can do some online research. If there’s been a recurring problem or even something like a product recall, replacing the HVAC system might need to be included in total costs. Otherwise, you could move in only to have a broken HVAC system before the last box is unpacked.
Work with a Trusted Service Company for an Inspection and Tune-Up
If you’ve noticed a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try checking with a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete a thorough inspection, confirming existing issues and looking for any others. If the problem can be resolved with a simple tune-up, buying the house may still be worth it.
And there’s always a chance the previous owner just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something affecting the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if possible replacement costs will be factored into the cost of the home itself. In any case, the more information you have, the better decisions you can make.
Enjoy Your Comfortable New Home with Integrity AC & Heating LLC
If you’re unsure about a potential dream home, don’t let some HVAC problems stop you. With a few key pieces of information, you can make a well-informed decision about purchasing your first home.
Don’t forget to have a trustworthy service company in your corner. They can keep equipment running smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Integrity AC & Heating LLC at 602-971-0567.
