You’ve gone through countless property listing websites, visited many homes, and after an agonizing search, you’ve finally discovered a beautiful place tucked away in a quiet neighborhood—and it’s near the right amenities. But before you breathe a sigh of relief and start preparing an offer, there is one thing you could be forgetting: A HVAC inspection.
Knowing that around 6 out of 10 homeowners don’t work with an HVAC technician to perform routine maintenance on the AC unit, you need to confirm that the cooling and heating system of the home you’re about to buy is in pristine condition. An inspection will uncover problems, save you from costly HVAC repairs, replacements and energy bills, improve your indoor air quality and boost your home’s comfort. Here’s what you need to check.
The Age of the HVAC system
Before you get into the nitty-gritty, the first thing you need to do is determine The Age of the HVAC system. Generally, HVAC units are expected to last for 15 to 20 years. Beyond that, the system becomes less efficient and expensive to maintain. Knowing the age will help you decide whether to budget for a big expense soon or negotiate with the seller to bring the home’s price down.
Request for the Maintenance History
The air conditioning and heating unit may run smoothly, look new, and tick all other boxes, but there is no way to know whether the seller had been taking good care of it. So, ask the seller to provide records or receipts of all past HVAC tune-ups and repairs. If the repairs were infrequent, you could face major issues in the immediate future.
What’s the Physical Condition of the HVAC System?
Even if you aren’t an HVAC expert, some signs will tell you a lot about the unit. Strange noises like grinding, hissing, and banging could indicate a damaged component. Look out for rust, moisture accumulation, dents, and broken parts. Working with a seasoned HVAC inspector in Sarasota, FL, will help you identify any underlying issues and avoid costly repairs down the line.
Test the Comfort Level in Different Rooms
Pay attention to the comfort levels of each room when the cooling system is on and later test how well the heating unit works. If there is stuffiness when the AC is on, drafts when the heating unit is running, or stark temperature differences between rooms, that’s a red flag.
How Efficient is the HVAC Unit?
Approximately half of a home’s total energy use goes toward heating and cooling. If the HVAC unit isn’t energy-efficient, you could end up paying more than that. Read the labels to learn the SEER rating of the cooling unit. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system is. Also, don’t forget to ask the homeowner how much they have been paying for their energy bills.
The Condition of the Ductwork
Leaky ductwork not only lets cooled or heated air escape your home, but also makes the system work harder, increasing your energy bill. Inspect the ductwork and look for gaps, holes, excessive dirt, mold, and improper connection.
Get a Professional HVAC Inspection in Florida
As a savvy home buyer, you need to understand that the average home inspector doesn’t conduct a comprehensive HVAC inspection. That’s why you need to work with an experienced HVAC company like Veteran Air.
Here, our technicians will help detect any underlying HVAC issues that the home inspector misses, thereby improving your negotiating power. Whether you need an inspection, repair, general tune-up, or replacement, feel free to call us anytime!
