Purchasing your first home is an exciting event, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any underlying problems? Do the appliances 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 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 take a look at some of the key 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 determine when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and can lack handy features used 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 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 might not always be easy to find out, but the previous homeowner may 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 a better sense of the degree 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 may not have bothered with it, which can sometimes leave the HVAC system at a larger 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 recurring problem or even something like a product recall, getting a new HVAC system may have to be included in total costs. Otherwise, you could move in only to have a broken HVAC system before the last box is unpacked.

Choose a Trusted Service Company for an Inspection and Tune-Up

If you’ve found a problem with the home’s HVAC system, consider calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete a comprehensive inspection, confirming existing issues and looking for any others. If the damage can be resolved with a simple tune-up, buying the house might 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 possible 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.

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.