Purchasing your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any underlying problems? Do the appliances seem like they’re in good shape? A good thing for first-time home buyers to take a look at is the condition of the house’s HVAC equipment. A furnace that’s in particularly bad 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 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 products, you may not know what to look for. Fortunately, there are a few pieces of information that can deliver 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 confirm when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models can be less energy efficient and can lack handy 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 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, especially if routine maintenance has been provided.

What service company installed it?

This might not always be easy to find out, 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 quality 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 don’t always bother with it, which may leave the HVAC system at a higher 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 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, getting a new HVAC system may need to be included in 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 calling a trusted local service company before you decide against buying. They can perform a thorough inspection, verifying existing issues and looking for any others. If the issue can be fixed with a simple tune-up, buying the house might still be worth it.

And there’s always the possibility the previous owner simply wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something impacting the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if expected replacement costs will be factored into the cost of the home itself. In any case, the more details you have, the better decisions you can make.

Check Everything Off Your List with Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling

If you’re unsure about a possible dream home, don’t let some 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 in your corner. They can keep equipment working smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Alpine Summit Heating & Cooling at 208-561-1226.