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Buying a new home is an exciting event. If you have fallen in love with a house and started to imagine your family settling in and making it a real home, you might forget that there’s more to buying a new house than just the beauty and comfort of the place. It is also important to give attention to some of the finer points, like the HVAC system.
Because your HVAC system is an essential part of keeping your home comfortable and safe, and because it can be an expensive system to repair or replace, having some questions about the system for the home seller ready ahead of your home purchase is important. Read on for a list of five key HVAC questions you should ask your real estate agent, the seller, and the HVAC inspector before you consider buying a new home.
- What type of HVAC system does the house have?
Does the home have a forced-air furnace for heating and a central air conditioner for cooling? Or is the home older with just a furnace and no central air? Maybe the home uses a heat pump instead. And is the system combined, or do the heating and cooling components work independently of each other? It is important to understand the type of HVAC system you will have in your new home, so you are prepared for any future maintenance requirements and associated costs.
1. How old is the HVAC system?
The age of your HVAC system is extremely important. Most systems have a lifespan of 10-15 years, with efficiency decreasing over time. The older your system is, the more likely it is that you will have to budget immediately for maintenance and repairs—or replacement of components or even the entire system to make sure it is as energy-efficient and cost-efficient for you while you live in the home.
2. Is there a warranty on the HVAC system, and will it transfer when homeownership does?
Another thing to consider is if there is a warranty on your HVAC system, with documentation that will be passed on to you as the new homeowner. If your system is still under warranty, some components of the system will be covered, should any problem occur after you buy the house. But sometimes a warranty will become void or expire when the home is sold; it will not transfer to a new owner, so it is important to ask for the warranty to be continued. (Your real estate agent will have to request this in your contract to buy the house.)
3. Will you provide records/documentation from past HVAC monitoring and maintenance, at least from the last service call?
It is important to know the maintenance standing of your HVAC system. Knowing the maintenance schedule, including the date of the last service call, provides key information regarding the state of your system. You will want to learn about pre-existing issues and the way that they were handled and resolved. Having a record of any past problems (or potential problems) will be useful to you as you go forward with your own HVAC upkeep and maintenance.
4. What are the average monthly heating and cooling costs for the house?
Your HVAC system use greatly impacts monthly utility costs, so it’s important to consider this as you build your budget. If there is a history of high utility bills, count it as a red flag: it might mean that there is a problem with the energy efficiency of your HVAC system. It could indicate that the system isn’t working properly and needs maintenance or repair. Higher-than-normal bills also might mean that the home itself is “leaky” and in need of new insulation and/or sealing of windows, doors, and other leak points (including HVAC ducting). Considering heating and cooling costs before you buy a house is important because addressing any issues that cause excessive energy bills can be extremely expensive.
Finding potential problems in the HVAC system of a home you are interested in buying will help you decide if you have it in your budget to correct those issues after purchase, or if you should negotiate with the seller and ask him or her to correct the issues with the home’s HVAC system. Because many issues or problems aren’t visible just by looking at the HVAC unit and other components, it is important to get professional help to assess the state of an HVAC system.
The system may seem sound to you, your real estate agent, and even to your general home inspector, but a professional HVAC inspector can make the best assessment. Over time the HVAC system in a home degrades and needs greater maintenance; eventually, it will need to be replaced. The HVAC inspector can examine your HVAC system and its components to determine the remaining life; the inspector can provide a recommendation for when any part of the system will need to be repaired or replaced, to help you plan and budget for HVAC expenses. He or she usually can help you understand how well the HVAC system currently functions, as well as if it has any issues that need to be addressed and when.
A professional HVAC inspector can spot red flags within the HVAC system and share them with you before you sign any contracts for the house—he has the knowledge, tools, and experience to identify current issues and recognize potential future problems. Prepare HVAC questions to ask the professionals, so you can ensure that you understand the HVAC system in the home you are interested in buying.
If you are buying a home and need information or advice regarding your new home’s HVAC system, The Coolest can help! The Coolest is an Austin, Texas-based HVAC service and installation company. The company offers various HVAC installation and maintenance services by experienced HVAC specialists who are committed to providing excellent customer service. The team of HVAC experts at The Coolest is ready to assist you with all your home heating and cooling needs. Contact The Coolest via their website or by phone at 512-468-6140 for more information regarding your HVAC options, including system maintenance and/or repairs, upgrades, or full replacement.
CONTACT THE COOLEST!
PHONE
512-468-6140
ONLINE
https://thecoolestservice.com/contact/
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