Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any hidden problems? Do the utilities seem like they’re holding up? A good 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 rough shape can sometimes 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 take a look at 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 systems, you may not know what to look for. Thankfully, 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 find out when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and can lack handy features available in new 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 good shape, especially if routine maintenance has been provided.

What service company installed it?

This isn’t always be easy to confirm, but the previous homeowner might have scheduled a tune-up or maintenance visit before placing the house up for sale. When this is the same service company that installed it, you can get an idea about 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 invest in for your HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners may not have bothered with it, which may leave the HVAC system at a higher risk of problems, especially 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 important 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 might 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.

Call an Experienced HVAC Technician for a Thorough Inspection

If you’ve discovered a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can perform 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 a chance the previous owner simply wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something impacting the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if potential 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.

Check Everything Off Your List with Farnell Mechanical, Inc.

If you’re unsure about a potential 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.

Don’t forget 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 Farnell Mechanical, Inc. at 334-524-2458.