Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any underlying problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re in good shape? A good thing for first-time home buyers to check out is the condition of the house’s HVAC heating and cooling. A furnace that’s in especially rough 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 review 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 products, 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 equipment is in.
What year was the equipment manufactured and installed?
If you can, you’ll want to find out when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and will often lack convenient features found in newer equipment. This is usually 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 system 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, especially 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 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 may not have bothered with it, which can sometimes 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 crucial 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 recurring problem or even something like a product recall, replacing the HVAC system may 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 an Experienced HVAC Technician for Services like Maintenance
If you’ve noticed a problem with the home’s HVAC system, consider 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 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 never hurts to ask if likely 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.
Keep Your First Home Comfortable with Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc.
If you’re unsure about a potential 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 in your corner. They can keep equipment working smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Phelps Heating & Cooling, Inc. at 270-358-3167.
