Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any hidden problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re holding up? A good thing for first-time home buyers to check out is the condition of the house’s HVAC heating and cooling. A furnace that’s in especially 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 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 equipment, you may not know what to look for. Luckily, 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 find out when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models may be less energy efficient and can 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 attempt 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, especially 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 up for sale. When this is the same service company that installed it, you can get a better sense of the standard 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 invest in for your HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother with it, which could leave the HVAC system at a greater risk of problems, especially 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 important components clean and well-lubricated.
What ratings are available for your HVAC system?
Once you determine 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 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 a Trusted Service Company for an Inspection and Tune-Up
If you’ve noticed a problem with the home’s HVAC system, consider calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can perform 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 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 never hurts to ask if likely 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.
Enjoy Your Comfortable New Home with Forster Heating
If you’re on the fence about a potential 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.
Remember to have a trustworthy service company on your side. They can keep equipment working smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Forster Heating at 530-885-8081.
