Buying your first home is an exciting decision, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any underlying problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re in good shape? A common thing for first time home buyers to inspect}review is the condition of the house’s HVAC system. A furnace that’s in particularly bad 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 products, you may not know what to look for. Luckily, 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 can be less energy efficient and will often lack convenient features found in new 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 isn’t always be easy to confirm, 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 level of service the HVAC equipment has received so far.
Has it received any routine maintenance?
Quality 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 higher risk of problems, particularly if the HVAC system hasn’t even been on in a while. Routine maintenance can include everything from replacing the air filter to keeping crucial 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 consistent problem or even something like a product recall, replacing the HVAC system might need to be factored into 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, think about calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can perform a comprehensive inspection, confirming existing issues and looking for any others. If the issue can be fixed with a simple tune-up, buying the house might still be worth it.
And there’s always a chance the previous owner simply wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something affecting the HVAC system, it doesn’t hurt to ask if potential replacement costs will be factored into the cost of the home itself. In any case, the more details you have, the better decisions you can make.
Check Everything Off Your List with Patterson & Stirling Inc
If you’re on the fence about a potential 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.
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 Patterson & Stirling Inc at 814-308-0416.