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 review 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 take a look at some of the key 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 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 are sometimes less energy efficient and can lack handy features available in new equipment. This is usually fairly easy to find, but it’s also only half the information you want. You should also try and 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 good shape, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.
What service company installed it?
This isn’t 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 quality of service the HVAC equipment has received so far.
Has it received any routine maintenance?
Routine preventive maintenance is one of the best things you can invest in for your HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners may not have bothered with it, which might leave the HVAC system at a greater 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 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, replacing the HVAC system may have to be factored into total costs. Otherwise, you could move in only to have a broken HVAC system before the last box is unpacked.
Call a Trusted Service Company for an Inspection and Tune-Up
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 perform a comprehensive inspection, verifying existing issues and looking for any others. If the problem can be resolved with a simple tune-up, buying the house should 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 doesn’t hurt to ask if potential 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.
Enjoy Your Comfortable New Home with Ilten's
If you’re on the fence about a possible dream home, don’t let a few 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 on your side. They can keep equipment working smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Ilten's at 319-208-2351.