Purchasing 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 common thing for first-time home buyers to inspect is the condition of the house’s HVAC heating and cooling. A furnace that’s in particularly bad shape may 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 I Have on My HVAC Checklist?

Unless you’re already familiar with HVAC products, 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 find out when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and may lack convenient 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 great shape, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.

What service company installed it?

This may not always be easy to find out, but the previous homeowner might 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 an idea about the quality 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 do for HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother with it, which could leave the HVAC system at a higher 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 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 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.

Call an Experienced HVAC Technician for Services like Maintenance

If you’ve discovered a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try checking with 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 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 simply wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something wrong with the HVAC system, it doesn’t hurt 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.

Keep Your First Home Comfortable with Age Heating & Cooling

If you’re on the fence 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.

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 Age Heating & Cooling at 208-603-2210.