Purchasing your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any hidden problems? Do the utilities 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 equipment. 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 review some of the most important things you’ll want to know about the HVAC system.
What Should I Have on My 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 learn when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and will often lack handy features used in new equipment. This should be 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, especially if routine maintenance has been provided.
What service company installed it?
This isn’t always be easy to verify, 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 level 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 invest in for your HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother with it, which may leave the HVAC system at a greater 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 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 might 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.
Find an Experienced HVAC Technician for Services like Maintenance
If you’ve noticed a problem with the home’s HVAC system, think about 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 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 just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something wrong with 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 info you have, the better decisions you can make.
Keep Your First Home Comfortable with McFadden Heating & Cooling
If you’re on the fence about a possible 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.
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 McFadden Heating & Cooling at 519-683-2339.
