Purchasing your first home is an exciting decision, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any underlying problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re in good shape? A common thing for first-time home buyers to review is the condition of the house’s HVAC heating and cooling. A furnace that’s in particularly 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 Be on Your HVAC Checklist?
Unless you’re already familiar with HVAC products, you may not know what to look for. Luckily, there are a few pieces of information that can provide 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 may lack useful features used 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 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 may 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 an idea about the quality 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 may not have bothered with it, which can sometimes leave the HVAC system at a higher 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 important 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 consistent problem or even something like a product recall, replacing the 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.
Work with a Trusted Service Company for an Inspection and Tune-Up
If you’ve noticed 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, verifying 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 a chance the previous owner just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something impacting the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if expected 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 Paniccia Heating & Cooling
If you’re on the fence about a possible dream home, don’t let a few 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 on your side. They can keep equipment running smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Paniccia Heating & Cooling at 219-872-2198.