If you’re in the market to buy a house, congrats – that is exciting! While searching for a home can be thrilling, it can also be stressful due to the numerous details you need to consider. However, don’t forget to also take note of the HVAC system while viewing potential houses you’re interested in. Why? To ensure your family’s year-round comfort and safety, it’s crucial to check the HVAC system’s condition before buying a house. Unless you’re an HVAC professional, identifying red flags in the system can be difficult. However, your New Albany Heating & Cooling professionals have compiled a list of five red flags that ANYONE can look out for during a house tour.
IS THE AGE OF THE HVAC SYSTEM A RED FLAG?
First, if you’re planning to purchase an older house, it’s important to know if it still has its original HVAC system. Typically, older systems are not as energy efficient and more likely to have issues. Just like with cars, HVAC systems can deteriorate over time. So, it’s important to be aware of the HVAC system’s age, even if it’s not original one the to the home. Most HVAC units will have the manufacturing date written on a label on the side of the unit. But if you have a hard time locating it, try to visually examine the HVAC units for signs of proper maintenance, age, etc., instead. A quick once-over should give you a very basic, generalized idea.
For instance, if you notice an excessive amount of dust or rust on the HVAC system, it could mean that it hasn’t been all that maintained, and furthermore, it could be a good indication of the system’s age. Keep in mind that an older HVAC system doesn’t necessarily mean it’s bad, but bear in mind that well-maintained systems usually last 15-20 years. Therefore, if you decide to purchase this house, you may need to replace the heating or cooling unit (or both) soon. Knowing this beforehand could help you negotiate better terms that will benefit you.
ARE DRAFTS OR UNREGULATED AIR A RED FLAG?
As you walk through the house, make sure to take your time entering and observing each room. Along with checking room size, windows, and closets, don’t forget to pay attention to the temperature in each space. A good tip is to try to stop and notice if a room feels noticeably stuffy or drafty compared to other areas in the house. There could be various causes for this, but one more thing you should be mindful of is unregulated air. It may be something that needs to be addressed later on.
IS AN UNPLEASANT OR MUSTY ODOR A RED FLAG?
It’s also important to pay attention to unpleasant or musty smells as they might indicate a problem with the ductwork or other related issues. So, you don’t want to ignore any odd smells you notice. A duct cleaning may be necessary for this HVAC system, which is something you could potentially negotiate.
ARE STRANGE SOUNDS A RED FLAG?
Next, listen for any unusual sounds, such as loud rattling, banging, or buzzing noises. These noises may indicate equipment problems like loose parts or worn-out components, etc. So, you; want to “keep an ear out” for these red flags as well.
IS NO HVAC MAINTENANCE A RED FLAG?
If you want to buy the house after the tour, congrats on finding “the one.” That’s great news. Our next recommendation is to ask for the HVAC system’s maintenance and repair records. Without these records, it may mean the system was not properly maintained. Heating and cooling units should generally be serviced at least once a year for maintenance reasons. So, if there are no records indicating this has been done over the years, it’s definitely something you want to know! Also, be careful if a particular unit has had too many repairs – this is another red flag you want to know ahead of time. Sometimes too many repairs on a particular unit don’t really benefit a homeowner in the long run, and you may just need to look at replacement options in the foreseeable future.
OUR CONCLUSION: WHY SHOULD YOU REQUEST AN HVAC INSPECTION?
Please, bear in mind that the red flags mentioned are not reasons to give up pursuing your dream home. Just consider them as factors to be cautious about and evaluate carefully so you can negotiate and plan accordingly. On top of that, it is recommended that you seek the advice of a licensed HVAC expert for a professional assessment of the system’s condition and any issues that may arise.
What does this mean exactly? Well, we have an HVAC inspection service which entails one of our NATE-certified technicians coming out to the house in question and examining the HVAC system in detail. They will then provide a comprehensive report on its condition and recommend any necessary repairs or upgrades. (This usually can be negotiated into the terms and arranged by the homeowner if you decide to move forward with the house.)
We understand that this may feel like an unnecessary extra step, but we believe it is crucial to assess the HVAC system in a potential new home before moving in to avoid unexpected surprises. Purchasing a house is a significant commitment, and we want to aid in making this process as seamless as possible without any negative surprises.
Need an HVAC company you can rely on? New Albany Heating & Cooling is a trustworthy, locally owned HVAC company that can provide assistance with any HVAC services you may require. We are here to help you with all your HVAC needs! You can reach us at (614) 636-5002 or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
