Buying your first home is an exciting event, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any underlying problems? Do the utililities seem like they’re holding up? A common thing for first time home buyers to take a look at is the condition of the house’s HVAC equipment. A furnace that’s in especially 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 review some of the key things you’ll want to know about the HVAC system.
Unless you’re already familiar with HVAC systems, you might not know what to look for. Luckily, there are a few pieces of information that can deliver 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 will often lack handy 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 do your best to 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 great shape, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.
What service company installed it?
This isn’t always be easy to verify, but the previous homeowner might have scheduled a tune up or maintenance visit before putting the house up for sale. 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 preventative maintenance is one of the best things you can invest in for your HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners may not have bothered, which could leave the HVAC system at a higher risk of problems, particularly 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 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 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.
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 perform a comprehensive inspection, determining the extend of existing issues and looking for any others. If the damage can be resolved with a simple tune-up, buying the house should still be worth it.
And there’s always the possibility the previous owner simply wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something impacting the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if possible replacement costs can be factored into the cost of the home itself. In any case, the more details you have, the better decisions you can make.
If you’re unsure about a possible dream home, don’t let some HVAC problems stop you. 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 running smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Brooks Heating and Air Conditioning at
800-COOLING.