Purchasing your first home is an exciting decision, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any underlying problems? Do the utilities 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 particularly rough shape can sometimes 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 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 products, you may not know what to look for. Fortunately, 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 may be less energy efficient and will often lack useful features used 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 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 good shape, especially if routine maintenance has been provided.

What service company installed it?

This isn’t always be easy to verify, but the previous homeowner may have scheduled a tune-up or maintenance visit before placing the house on the market. When this is the same service company that installed it, you can get an idea about the level 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 provide HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother with it, which can sometimes 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 consist of everything from replacing the air filter to keeping moving components clean and well-lubricated.

What ratings are available for your HVAC system?

Once you learn 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 included in total costs. Otherwise, you could move in only to have a broken HVAC system before the last box is unpacked.

Work with a Trusted Service Company for a Thorough Inspection

If you’ve noticed 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 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 just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something impacting the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if expected 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.

Keep Your First Home Comfortable with AW Heating & Air Conditioning

If you’re unsure 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.

Remember 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 AW Heating & Air Conditioning at 402-438-7992.