Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any underlying problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re holding up? A good thing for first-time home buyers to inspect is the condition of the house’s HVAC heating and cooling. A furnace that’s in especially bad shape can sometimes 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 products, you may not know what to look for. Thankfully, 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 learn when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models are sometimes less energy efficient and will often 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 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 isn’t 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 a better sense of the degree 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 invest in for your HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother with it, which could leave the HVAC system at a greater risk of problems, particularly 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 important 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 might 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.
Work with a Trusted Service Company for an Inspection and Tune-Up
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 problem can be resolved 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 wrong with the HVAC system, it doesn’t hurt to ask if likely 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 Tri County Climate Control LLC
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 on your side. They can keep equipment running smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Tri County Climate Control LLC at 541-238-2797.