Purchasing your first home is an exciting event, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any hidden problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re in good shape? A good thing for first-time home buyers to take a look at is the condition of the house’s HVAC heating and cooling. A furnace that’s in especially bad shape could be the difference between making an offer on a house and looking 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. Fortunately, there are a few pieces of information that can deliver insight into the overall condition the HVAC equipment is in.
What year was the equipment manufactured and installed?
If you can, you’ll want to determine when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models are sometimes less energy efficient and can lack useful features found 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 great shape, especially if routine maintenance has been provided.
What service company installed it?
This isn’t always be easy to confirm, but the previous homeowner may 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?
Routine 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 greater risk of problems, especially if the HVAC system hasn’t even been on in a while. Routine maintenance can consist of everything from replacing the air filter to keeping important 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 might have to be included in 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 found a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can perform a comprehensive inspection, verifying existing issues and looking for any others. If the damage can be resolved with a simple tune-up, buying the house might 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 expected replacement costs can be factored into the cost of the home itself. In any case, the more information you have, the better decisions you can make.
Check Everything Off Your List with Childress Heating & AC
If you’re unsure about a potential dream home, don’t let some HVAC problems get in the way. 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 working smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Childress Heating & AC at 540-675-4306.