When evaluating a home to buy, you’ll be looking at the state of the foundation, plumbing and electrical, the roof, and the condition of the interior and exterior. You should also evaluate the condition of the HVAC system before you sign on the dotted line. HVAC systems can be somewhat tough for the average homeowner to assess, particularly since most home inspections will reveal no more than that it comes on and goes off.
The only way you can really know if the air conditioning and heating are working right, or whether you’ll need to repair or replace it, is to order an HVAC inspection.
Scheduling a Home Inspection
A certified HVAC consultant will be your best resource for assessing the HVAC system in the house you buy. Be sure the consultant checks out the outdoor condenser and coils, the indoor evaporator coils, the air handler and the furnace, as well as the ductwork. Also make sure the thermostat and controls work properly. You can negotiate the cost of any repairs or replacement of parts in the contract for the home into the closing costs, so it’s wise to be thorough.
Other Tips for Assessing an HVAC System
1. Find out the age of the system. If it’s 10 years old or older, you may expect to have to replace it in the next few years. Also, an older A/C probably uses R-22 refrigerant, which is being phased out, so consider what the cost of replacing the air conditioner will be.
2. Look at energy bills. Most HVAC systems are sized inappropriately for the house they’re installed in, and this can result in inefficient operation and higher energy bills. Have a look at the home’s energy bills over a year. Super-high energy bills could be a deterrent to buying a particular home.
3. Look for energy upgrades. Ask about efficient windows or insulation that may have been added to lower energy costs.
To learn more about how an HVAC inspection should be part of your home-buying strategy, contact Energy 1 Heating and Air Conditioning of Lorain.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Lorain, Ohio about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC inspections and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 440-201-2959.
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Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area