HVAC Inspection Checklist For Home Buyers

Buying a house is always an exciting decision. With that said, a new Bay Area home also comes with a lot of unknowns that may keep you up at night. It’s a good thing for homebuyers to thoroughly review the condition of a house, including the HVAC unit. After all, the HVAC system is the costliest asset in a house. Real estate experts know that a broken-down furnace can be a deal breaker. This is why you should perform your own due diligence to identify any potential problems.

This is a handy inspection checklist for homebuyers.

Year of Manufacture and Installation

You should ask when the HVAC system was manufactured and installed. You can determine the date of manufacture by checking the make and model of the unit. Older units are typically not as energy efficient as newer ones. They will also lack the convenient features present in newer models. You should also find out when the unit was installed in the house.

In some cases, older models can be in great shape if they were recently installed. Don’t forget to inquire after the maintenance schedule. An HVAC system that is routinely maintained is usually in a better condition,

Quality of Service

It may be difficult to easily verify the quality of service. The previous houseowner may have scheduled a maintenance or tune-up visit before putting up the house for sale. You should inquire if the same HVAC contractors also installed the unit. This will give you a better idea of the quality of service the equipment received.

Routine Maintenance and Tune Up Schedule

Preventive maintenance is important for the longevity of an HVAC unit. Besides, it’s important that trained and certified professionals deliver the service. Previous homeowners may or may not have taken an interest in keeping up with the maintenance schedule.

Poorly maintained HVAC units are at a higher risk of problems. This is particularly true if the system has not been turned on for a while. Routine maintenance usually includes everything from keeping different parts clean and lubricated to replacing the air filter.

Rating of the HVAC System

You should perform a little online research once you find the make and model of the unit. Check whether there has been a product recall or reports of a consistent issue with the unit. You may be forced to replace the HVAC system. This is an added expense that should be included in overall costs if you don’t want to be left with a broken HVAC system that stops working before the last box is unpacked.

Always Use a Trusted Service Contractor

You should always choose a reliable and reputable HVAC maintenance contactor for inspection and tune-up. Use a trustworthy service company to check the air conditioner if you notice a problem with it. In fact, you should always have the HVAC unit checked by professionals before purchasing it.

Professionals can perform a comprehensive inspection and look for hidden issues with the system. In some cases, the damage is not extensive and can be resolved through a simple tune-up. Purchasing the house may not be a bad decision in such situations. There is also the likelihood of the previous owner being ignorant of a problem. It doesn’t hurt to confirm whether estimated replacement costs can be included into the cost of the home.