Purchasing your first home is an exciting decision, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any hidden problems? Do the utilities seem like they’re in good shape? A common thing for first-time home buyers to inspect is the condition of the house’s HVAC equipment. A furnace that’s in especially bad shape could 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 review some of the most important 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 might not know what to look for. Thankfully, 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 can be less energy efficient and will often lack handy features available in newer equipment. This should be fairly easy to find, but it’s also only half the information you want. You should also do your best to 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 great shape, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.
What service company installed it?
This may not always be easy to confirm, but the previous homeowner might have scheduled a tune-up or maintenance visit before putting the house on the market. When this is the same service company that installed it, you can get an idea about the quality 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 invest in for your HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners may not have bothered with it, which might leave the HVAC system at a greater risk of problems, namely if the HVAC system hasn’t even been used in a while. Routine maintenance can include everything from replacing the air filter to keeping moving components clean and well-lubricated.
What ratings are available for your HVAC system?
Once you learn the make and model, you can do some online research. If there’s been a consistent problem or even something like a product recall, replacing the HVAC system may have to be considered as part of the total costs. Otherwise, you could move in only to have a broken HVAC system before the last box is unpacked.
Choose a Trusted Service Company for an Inspection and Tune-Up
If you’ve discovered a problem with the home’s HVAC system, consider calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete a comprehensive inspection, verifying existing issues and looking for any others. If the issue can be resolved with a simple tune-up, buying the house should still be worth it.
And there’s always a chance the previous owner simply wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something wrong with the HVAC system, it doesn’t hurt to ask if potential replacement costs can be factored into the cost of the home itself. In any case, the more details you have, the better decisions you can make.
Check Everything Off Your List with Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling
If you’re on the fence about a possible dream home, don’t let a few HVAC problems stop you. With a few key pieces of information, you can make a well-informed decision about purchasing your first home.
Remember to have a trustworthy service company on your side. They can keep equipment functioning smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Temperature Doctors Heating & Cooling at (815) 914-6197.