Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but there are also a lot of unknowns. Are there any hidden 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 heating and cooling. A furnace that’s in particularly 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 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 products, you may not know what to look for. Luckily, there are a few pieces of information that can provide 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 are sometimes less energy efficient and can lack useful features found in newer 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 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 good shape, particularly if routine maintenance has been provided.

What service company installed it?

This isn’t always be easy to find out, 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 level of service the HVAC equipment has received so far.

Has it received any routine maintenance?

Routine preventive maintenance is one of the best things you can do for HVAC equipment. Previous homeowners may not have bothered with it, which may leave the HVAC system at a higher risk of problems, especially if the HVAC system hasn’t even been used in a while. Routine maintenance can include 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, getting a new 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, think about checking with 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 resolved with a simple tune-up, buying the house might 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 details you have, the better decisions you can make.

Check Everything Off Your List with Airmax Long Island

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 functioning smoothly with repair and maintenance support. For quality local service, call Airmax Long Island at 631-737-5566.