Buying 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 holding up? A good 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 Be on Your HVAC Checklist?

Unless you’re already familiar with HVAC equipment, you may 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 learn when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and can lack handy 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 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 may not always be easy to confirm, 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 a better sense of 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 do for HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother with it, which might leave the HVAC system at a greater risk of problems, especially if the HVAC system hasn’t even been used in a while. Routine maintenance can include everything from replacing the air filter to keeping moving components clean and well-lubricated.

What ratings are available for your HVAC system?

Once you find 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 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.

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

If you’ve discovered a problem with the home’s HVAC system, think about checking with 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 should 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 possible replacement costs will 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 B & G HVAC

If you’re unsure about a possible dream home, don’t let a few 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.

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 B & G HVAC at 641-316-3360.