Buying your first home is an exciting decision, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any hidden problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re in good shape? A good 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 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 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 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 learn when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and will often lack convenient features available 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, especially if routine maintenance has been provided.
What service company installed it?
This isn’t always be easy to find out, but the previous homeowner may 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 degree of service the HVAC equipment has received so far.
Has it received any routine maintenance?
Quality preventive maintenance is one of the best things you can provide HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother with it, which could leave the HVAC system at a larger 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 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 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 discovered a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can perform a comprehensive inspection, determining the extent of existing issues and looking for any others. If the issue can be fixed with a simple tune-up, buying the house may still be worth it.
And there’s always the possibility the previous owner simply wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something wrong with the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if expected replacement costs will be factored into the cost of the home itself. In any case, the more info you have, the better decisions you can make.
Keep Your First Home Comfortable with Patterson & Stirling
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 on your side. They can keep equipment running smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Patterson & Stirling at 814-308-0416.
