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 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 particularly bad shape can sometimes 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.

Why Do I Need an HVAC Checklist?

Unless you’re already familiar with HVAC products, you might 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 find out when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and may lack useful features available in new equipment. This is usually fairly easy to find, but it’s also only half the information you want. You should also attempt 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 verify, but the previous homeowner might have scheduled a tune-up or maintenance visit before placing the house up for sale. When this is the same service company that installed it, you can get an idea about 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 provide HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners don’t always bother with it, which can sometimes leave the HVAC system at a greater risk of problems, namely 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 find 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 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 an Experienced HVAC Technician for a Thorough Inspection

If you’ve found 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 thorough 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 the possibility the previous owner just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something affecting the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if possible 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 Select Comfort Systems

If you’re unsure about a possible dream home, don’t let a few 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.

Remember to have a trustworthy service company on your side. They can keep equipment functioning smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Select Comfort Systems at 801-305-4777.