Buying your first home is an exciting decision, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any hidden problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re in good shape? A common 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 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 take a look at 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 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 equipment 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 are sometimes less energy efficient and will often lack convenient features found in new equipment. This is usually 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 putting the house on the market. When this is the same service company that installed it, you can get a better sense of 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 invest in for your HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners may not have bothered with it, which can sometimes leave the HVAC system at a higher risk of problems, namely 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 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 recurring 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.

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

If you’ve discovered a problem with the home’s HVAC system, consider checking with a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete 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 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 wrong with 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 Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc

If you’re on the fence 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 in your corner. They can keep equipment running smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Fleming Heating & Air Conditioning Inc at 877-389-2465.