Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any hidden problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re holding up? A good thing for first time home buyers to check out is the condition of the house’s HVAC equipment. A furnace that’s in especially rough 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 products, 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 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 are sometimes less energy efficient and may lack handy features availabke 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 great 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 putting the house on the market. When this is the same service company that installed it, you can get a better sense of the standard of service the HVAC equipment has received so far.
Has it received any routine maintenance?
Routine preventative maintenance is one of the best things you can do for HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother, which may leave the HVAC system at a greater risk of problems, namely if the HVAC system hasn’t even been on 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 might have 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 discovered a problem with the home’s HVAC system, think about checking with a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can perform a thorough inspection, confirming existing issues and looking for any others. If the damage can be fixed with a simple tune-up, buying the house should still be worth it.
And there’s always the possibility the previous owner just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something impacting 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 info you have, the better decisions you can make.
Check Everything Off Your List with Air Service Co.
If you’re unsure about a possible dream home, don’t let some 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 Air Service Co. at 918-212-8943.