Changing residences is an exciting and life-changing experience. While you may have been hoping to acquire a ‘move-in ready’ property, new homeowners are sometimes confronted with a laundry list of repairs upon moving in.
When purchasing a new home, it is critical to understand the state of all of the most significant interior and exterior components that might affect your family, comfort, and budget. Whether your new house only requires a fresh coat of paint, an updated kitchen, new floors, or perhaps a new HVAC system, you should prioritize your renovations for the optimal home experience.
There might be numerous factors to consider when examining the condition and expectations of your heating and cooling system in your new home.
8 Key HVAC Inspections
Here are eight things to consider with your HVAC system after you have bought a new house:
1. Ask for Records
It is critical that you understand how effectively your furnace and air conditioner have been maintained since this will help you decide whether the old system is worth the care. Inquire with the previous owners about any records of the furnace and air conditioner maintenance. If not, search on or near the units themselves.
As a record of service, some technicians place a dated record on a slip alongside the apparatus. If you see frequent repair slips, you should have the device inspected.
It might need to be replaced. Seeing no slips at all, on the other hand, may not be a positive thing: there may have been little to no maintenance work done in the past few years, which could lead to a reduced system lifespan.
2. Age of the HVAC System
HVAC systems, like any other technology, improve year after year. As a result, it’s critical that you understand how old the HVAC system in the house is and when it was last upgraded. If it has been more than ten years, you will almost probably need to replace it.
The cost of replacing the entire system might be too high. As a result, if the HVAC system in the property is outdated and in need of replacement, make sure to remove this cost from the purchase price. However, if you can acquire the property for a modest price, it may still be worth it, even if you have to spend money replacing the HVAC system.
3. Thermostat Inspection
Every house’s HVAC system comes with a thermostat. It’s important to understand that this thermostat controls how well the HVAC system will work. For example, if you have a faulty thermostat, the HVAC system will not work efficiently.
After buying a home, it’s important to inspect the thermostat and its settings. If you notice that the thermostat is lower than the temperature in the house or has no settings at all, it’s a good idea to contact a local HVAC company for help.
3. Inspect the Condition of the Ductwork
Ductwork is the metal or plastic pipe that carries heated or cooled air from the HVAC system, throughout the entire home. It’s also important to inspect the condition of this ductwork, as it can impact your air quality.
There are several things that you can check to ensure that your ductwork is in good condition. For example, you can check for cracks, holes, rust, and loose fasteners.
5. Ask About Insulation
Insulation helps prevent air from escaping or entering the home. As a result, it’s important to ask about the insulation in the home. If the insulation is old or missing in some areas, it will have a negative impact on the HVAC system.
In addition to the insulation, you’ll also want to ask the previous homeowners about any insulation upgrades. While an insulation upgrade can cost a lot of money, it can help reduce energy bills and make the home more comfortable for years to come.
6. Ask What Kind Of Refrigerant The HVAC System Uses
While you won’t have to worry about this if the HVAC system in your new home was just recently installed, it’s important to understand what kind of refrigerant the HVAC system uses. Refrigerant is the substance that helps cool the air in your home.
After January 1, 2020, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed a ban on the import and production of old refrigerants. This means that homeowners will need to replace their HVAC systems if they use an older refrigerant, such as R22, or purchase highly-limited stockpiles of R22.
7. Check the Air Vents
Each room in your house should have an air vent. Vents allow cold and warm air from your heating and cooling system to circulate into the rooms as needed. The first step is to ensure that all of the air vents are open and that no furniture is blocking them. If they get clogged, the performance of your HVAC system will suffer. Make sure you handle this as soon as possible.
Also, make sure that when you sit, the vents are not pushing air directly on you. This might make a space feel cooler than it actually is. Check to see if any vents are out of place or broken. It’s very easy for an inexperienced homeowner to knock over or break an air vent without realizing it.
8. Schedule an Inspection
While the previous homeowners might have maintained the HVAC system properly, it’s best to schedule a professional inspection after you move in. A professional HVAC technician will be able to identify any problems with the HVAC system that you may not be able to see.
The technician will work with you to resolve any issues with the HVAC system. For example, the technician may be able to adjust the set temperatures, or may need to repair or replace some parts of the system. As a result, the technician will provide you with a customized repair cost estimate that is specific to your new home.
Conclusion
Buying a home that’s ready to be lived in is exciting, but you will likely encounter a few surprises. However, while these surprises can be unpleasant, they can also be a good thing.
After all, if you have to fix something or replace something, it means that you have the chance to improve the overall quality of your home and to make it a place where you and your family can feel safe and happy.
HVAC Swami is your expert HVAC resource. Whether you need to read up on air conditioning tune-up, want more information on a commercial HVAC system, or need emergency heating and cooling, you’ll find the facts and data in our articles.
