Purchasing 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 take a look at is the condition of the house’s HVAC heating and cooling. A furnace that’s in especially bad 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 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 systems, you might not know what to look for. Thankfully, 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 confirm when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models are sometimes less energy efficient and will often lack useful features used in new equipment. This is usually fairly easy to find, but it’s also only half the information you want. You should also try and 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 good shape, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.
What service company installed it?
This might not always be easy to find out, but the previous homeowner might have scheduled a tune-up or maintenance visit before placing the house on the market. When this is the same service company that installed it, you can get an idea about the standard 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 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 key 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 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.
Choose a Trusted Service Company for an Inspection and Tune-Up
If you’ve found a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete a thorough inspection, verifying existing issues and looking for any others. If the problem can be resolved with a simple tune-up, buying the house might still be worth it.
And there’s always the possibility the previous owner just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something affecting the HVAC system, it doesn’t hurt to ask if likely 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 Paniccia Heating & Cooling
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.
Remember 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 Paniccia Heating & Cooling at 219-872-2198.