Purchasing your first home is an exciting event, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any underlying problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re in good shape? 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 particularly rough shape could 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 take a look at 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 equipment, 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 equipment 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 may be less energy efficient and may lack convenient features availabke 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 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 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 a better sense of the level 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 invest in for your HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother, which might leave the HVAC system at a higher risk of problems, namely 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 crucial 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 recurring problem or even something like a product recall, getting a new HVAC system may have to be included in 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 noticed a problem with the home’s HVAC system, consider checking with a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete a thorough inspection, confirming existing issues and looking for any others. If the issue 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 simply wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something impacting the HVAC system, it doesn’t hurt to ask if expected 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 Jett's Heating & Air Inc.
If you’re on the fence about a potential 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 Jett's Heating & Air Inc. at 815-410-1128.