Buying your first home is an exciting decision, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any underlying problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re in good shape? A good thing for first-time home buyers to take a look at 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 review 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 offer insight into the overall condition the HVAC equipment 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 are sometimes less energy efficient and will often lack handy 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, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.

What service company installed it?

This might not always be easy to confirm, but the previous homeowner may have scheduled a tune-up or maintenance visit before putting the house up for sale. 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?

Professional preventive maintenance is one of the best things you can provide HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners may not have bothered with it, which can sometimes leave the HVAC system at a higher risk of problems, namely if the HVAC system hasn’t even been used in a while. Routine maintenance can include everything from replacing the air filter to keeping crucial components clean and well-lubricated.

What ratings are available for your HVAC system?

Once you find 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 need to be considered as part of the 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 an Inspection and Tune-Up

If you’ve found a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete a thorough inspection, determining the extent of existing issues and looking for any others. If the damage can be fixed with a simple tune-up, buying the house may still be worth it.

And there’s always the possibility the previous owner simply wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something affecting the HVAC system, it doesn’t hurt to ask if potential 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 Bain Heating & Air Conditioning

If you’re on the fence about a potential 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 in your corner. They can keep equipment running smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Bain Heating & Air Conditioning at 256-270-1196.