Purchasing your first home is an exciting decision, but there are also a lot of moving parts. Are there any underlying problems? Do the appliances 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 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 key 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 might 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 determine when the make and model was first manufactured. Older models may be less energy efficient and will often lack useful features used in newer equipment. This should be 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 great shape, particularly 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 up for sale. 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 don’t always bother with it, which may leave the HVAC system at a higher risk of problems, particularly if the HVAC system hasn’t even been used 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 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 might 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.

Choose a Trusted Service Company for Services like Maintenance

If you’ve found a problem with the home’s HVAC system, think about 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 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 just wasn’t aware of the problem. If there’s something affecting the HVAC system, it never hurts to ask if possible replacement costs will 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 West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc.

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 in your corner. They can keep equipment functioning smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call West Jefferson Plumbing and Heating, Inc. at 614-879-9091.