Purchasing your first home is an exciting event, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any hidden problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re in good shape? 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 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 key things you’ll want to know about the HVAC system.

Why Do I Need an HVAC Checklist?

Unless you’re already familiar with HVAC equipment, you may not know what to look for. Thankfully, there are a few pieces of information that can deliver 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 find out when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models are sometimes less energy efficient and will often lack convenient 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 do your best 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 good shape, especially if routine maintenance has been provided.

What service company installed it?

This may not always be easy to verify, but the previous homeowner may 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 an idea about 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 provide HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother with it, which could leave the HVAC system at a larger risk of problems, particularly if the HVAC system hasn’t even been used in a while. Routine maintenance can consist of everything from replacing the air filter to keeping crucial 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 need to be factored into total costs. Otherwise, you could move in only to have a broken HVAC system before the last box is unpacked.

Find a Trusted Service Company for Services like Maintenance

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 perform a comprehensive inspection, determining the extent of existing issues and looking for any others. If the issue 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 just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something impacting 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 info you have, the better decisions you can make.

Check Everything Off Your List with Rescue Heating & Air

If you’re unsure about a possible 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.

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 Rescue Heating & Air at 361-265-4371.