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 common thing for first-time home buyers to review is the condition of the house’s HVAC system. A furnace that’s in especially rough shape could 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 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. 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 determine when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and will often lack useful 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 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, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.

What service company installed it?

This might not 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 standard 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 do for HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners may not have bothered with it, which could 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 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, replacing the HVAC system may 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 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 fixed with a simple tune-up, buying the house might still be worth it.

And there’s always a chance 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.

Check Everything Off Your List with Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc

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.

Don’t forget to have a trustworthy service company in your corner. They can keep equipment working smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc at 602-789-3315.