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 good thing for first-time home buyers to review 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 key 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 systems, you might not know what to look for. Thankfully, there are a few pieces of information that can deliver 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 determine when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and can lack convenient features found in newer equipment. This should be fairly easy to find, but it’s also only half the information you want. You should also attempt 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, especially if routine maintenance has been provided.
What service company installed it?
This isn’t always be easy to find out, 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 an idea about the standard 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 provide HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother with it, which may 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 consist of everything from replacing the air filter to keeping key 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 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 an Experienced HVAC Technician for Services like Maintenance
If you’ve noticed a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete a thorough inspection, verifying existing issues and looking for any others. If the damage can be fixed with a simple tune-up, buying the house may still be worth it.
And there’s always the possibility the previous owner simply wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something impacting the HVAC system, it doesn’t hurt to ask if potential 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.
Check Everything Off Your List with Clean Air HVAC
If you’re unsure 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.
Don’t forget to have a trustworthy service company in your corner. They can keep equipment working smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Clean Air HVAC at 925-233-6238.
