Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any hidden problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re holding up? A common thing for first-time home buyers to check out is the condition of the house’s HVAC system. A furnace that’s in especially bad shape can sometimes 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 most important things you’ll want to know about the HVAC system.
What Should I Have on My HVAC Checklist?
Unless you’re already familiar with HVAC equipment, you may not know what to look for. Thankfully, there are a few pieces of information that can offer 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 learn when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models are sometimes less energy efficient and may lack handy 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 might not always be easy to verify, but the previous homeowner might 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 level 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 provide HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners may not have bothered with it, which might leave the HVAC system at a larger risk of problems, especially 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 consistent problem or even something like a product recall, replacing the HVAC system may need to be factored into total costs. Otherwise, you could move in only to have a broken HVAC system before the last box is unpacked.
Call a Trusted Service Company for Services like Maintenance
If you’ve found a problem with the home’s HVAC system, think about calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete a comprehensive inspection, determining the extent of existing issues and looking for any others. If the issue can be fixed with a simple tune-up, buying the house may still be worth it.
And there’s always a chance the previous owner simply wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something affecting 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 details you have, the better decisions you can make.
Enjoy Your Comfortable New Home with H&C Heating and Cooling
If you’re on the fence 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.
Don’t forget to have a trustworthy service company on your side. They can keep equipment running smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call H&C Heating and Cooling at 301-960-3247.