Purchasing your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any underlying problems? Do the utilities seem like they’re in good shape? A good thing for first-time home buyers to check out is the condition of the house’s HVAC equipment. 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 most important things you’ll want to know about the HVAC system.

What Should I Have on My 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 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 find out when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models are sometimes less energy efficient and may lack handy features found 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 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 great shape, especially if routine maintenance has been provided.

What service company installed it?

This isn’t always be easy to confirm, but the previous homeowner might 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 degree 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 can sometimes leave the HVAC system at a higher risk of problems, especially if the HVAC system hasn’t even been on in a while. Routine maintenance can include everything from replacing the air filter to keeping important components clean and well-lubricated.

What ratings are available for your HVAC system?

Once you learn 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 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.

Work with a Trusted Service Company for an Inspection and Tune-Up

If you’ve discovered a problem with the home’s HVAC system, try calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can complete a comprehensive inspection, verifying existing issues and looking for any others. If the issue can be fixed with a simple tune-up, buying the house should still be worth it.

And there’s always a chance the previous owner just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something affecting the HVAC system, it doesn’t hurt to ask if potential 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.

Keep Your First Home Comfortable with Home Comfort Heating & Air

If you’re on the fence 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 on your side. They can keep equipment running smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Home Comfort Heating & Air at 763-276-0617.