Purchasing your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any hidden problems? Do the utilities seem like they’re holding up? A common 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 rough shape can sometimes 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 key things you’ll want to know about the HVAC system.

Why Do I Need an HVAC Checklist?

Unless you’re already familiar with HVAC products, you might not know what to look for. Luckily, 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 confirm when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models are sometimes less energy efficient and can lack convenient features available in new 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, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.

What service company installed it?

This isn’t always be easy to find out, but the previous homeowner might 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?

Routine 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 on 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 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, replacing the 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.

Work with an Experienced HVAC Technician for Services like Maintenance

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 perform a thorough inspection, confirming existing issues and looking for any others. If the problem 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 just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something impacting the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if likely replacement costs can be factored into the cost of the home itself. In any case, the more info you have, the better decisions you can make.

Check Everything Off Your List with Air Alliance Team

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.

Remember to have a trustworthy service company in your corner. They can keep equipment functioning smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Air Alliance Team at 636-206-4584.