Purchasing your first home is an exciting event, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any hidden problems? Do the utilities seem like they’re holding up? A common thing for first-time home buyers to review is the condition of the house’s HVAC heating and cooling. A furnace that’s in especially bad shape may 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 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 offer 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 determine when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models may be less energy efficient and can lack handy features available in newer equipment. This should be fairly easy to find, but it’s also only half the information you want. You should also attempt to 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 great shape, particularly 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 putting the house on the market. 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?

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 higher risk of problems, especially 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 key 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 consistent problem or even something like a product recall, getting a new 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.

Find an Experienced HVAC Technician for Services like Maintenance

If you’ve discovered a problem with the home’s HVAC system, think about checking with a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete a comprehensive inspection, verifying existing issues and looking for any others. If the issue 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 impacting the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if expected replacement costs will be factored into the cost of the home itself. In any case, the more info you have, the better decisions you can make.

Enjoy Your Comfortable New Home with All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc

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.

Remember to have a trustworthy service company on your side. They can keep equipment functioning smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call All Weather Heating & Air Conditioning Inc at 256-801-4701.