Purchasing 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 in good shape? A good thing for first time home buyers to inspect}review is the condition of the house’s HVAC heating and cooling. A furnace that’s in especially rough 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 review 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 equipment, you might not know what to look for. Fortunately, 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 confirm when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models may be less energy efficient and may lack useful 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 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, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.
What service company installed it?
This might not always be easy to verify, but the previous homeowner might 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 preventative maintenance is one of the best things you can do for HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother, which can sometimes leave the HVAC system at a larger 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 moving 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 may 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 found a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try checking with 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 problem can be resolved with a simple tune-up, buying the house may still be worth it.
And there’s always the possibility the previous owner just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something wrong with the HVAC system, it doesn’t hurt to ask if possible replacement costs can be factored into the cost of the home itself. In any case, the more information you have, the better decisions you can make.
Check Everything Off Your List with Halverson Brothers 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.
Don’t forget 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 Halverson Brothers Inc at 715-352-4052.