Purchasing your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any underlying problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re in good shape? A common thing for first-time home buyers to take a look at is the condition of the house’s HVAC equipment. A furnace that’s in especially rough shape may 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 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 equipment, you might not know what to look for. Luckily, there are a few pieces of information that can deliver 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 determine when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models are sometimes less energy efficient and will often lack handy 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 try and 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 quality 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 provide HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners may not have bothered with it, which could leave the HVAC system at a larger 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 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 consistent problem or even something like a product recall, getting a new HVAC system might have 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.

Find a Trusted Service Company for Services like Maintenance

If you’ve noticed a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try checking with a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete a thorough inspection, determining the extent of existing issues and looking for any others. If the problem 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 doesn’t hurt to ask if likely replacement costs will be factored into the cost of the home itself. In any case, the more details you have, the better decisions you can make.

Enjoy Your Comfortable New Home with GV Heating & Air

If you’re unsure about a potential 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 running smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call GV Heating & Air at 763-535-2000.