Buying 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 holding up? A good thing for first time home buyers to inspect}review is the condition of the house’s HVAC equipment. A furnace that’s in particularly bad shape could 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 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 may not know what to look for. Fortunately, there are a few pieces of information that can provide 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 learn when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and may lack handy features availabke 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 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, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.
What service company installed it?
This might not always be easy to verify, but the previous homeowner may have scheduled a tune up or maintenance visit before putting 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?
Professional preventative maintenance is one of the best things you can provide HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners may not have bothered, which can sometimes 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 include 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 consistent problem or even something like a product recall, getting a new HVAC system might need to be considered as part of the total costs. Otherwise, you could move in only to have a broken HVAC system before the last box is unpacked.
Find a Trusted Service Company for an Inspection and Tune-Up
If you’ve found a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try checking with a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can perform a comprehensive inspection, confirming existing issues and looking for any others. If the damage 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 just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something wrong with the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if potential 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 Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning
If you’re unsure about a possible 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 in your corner. They can keep equipment functioning smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Bishop Heating & Air Conditioning at 760-784-9034.