HVAC Home Buying Guide | Ask an HVAC Professional

Buying a new (or new to you) home is exciting, but as with most times that large sums of money are changing hands, it can also be extremely stressful. When looking at a house, there are a few things that you have to check out – for example, here in Texas, you absolutely have to check the foundation for cracks and other red flags.

If only you could have the opinion of an HVAC Professional when house shopping… well, now you can! This is our HVAC guide to use when buying a home:

Test Out What You Can

While looking at any property, there are a few things you can check yourself:

Turn on both heat and air conditioning systems to make sure they function properly
Check the filters for both condition (how long has it been since they’ve been changed, do they look dirty?) and size (is the right filter being used? Is it a common size?)
Check for the shutoff valves for gas, water, and electrical. It’s important to know where they are and if any of them are missing or are in poor condition.
Test the thermostat – if you lower the temperature, does the system respond accordingly? Likewise with heat.

Have The Property Inspected

Now, this may sound obvious, but with an ever-changing housing market, prices rising over 10% per year, and interest rates on the decline, it’s becoming more and more common to buy without ever seeing the house in-person.

It’s important to, at the very least, have an inspection done. Most of the time, this is part of the general purchase process, but if you’re part of the 1% of people picking up a property post-foreclosure, buying directly from family or a friend, or any other “non-typical” circumstance, make sure you have an inspection conducted to ensure you have a general understanding of what you’re getting yourself into!

Have The HVAC System Checked By A Specialist

This should not outright take the place of a general inspection, but for your purposes, could be just as important. The professionals that conduct a full home inspection look for signs of a potential problem or a code violation – they do not look for the source of the problem and will not let you know what needs to be done to remedy the situation. Inspectors are also not nearly as experienced with HVAC systems as an HVAC professional, so it’s possible that they miss potential red flags that need to be addressed before they become a bigger problem. Even if the inspection comes back clean for HVAC problems, call an HVAC professional to give your system a once-over. It’ll save you money in the long run!

Time For A Thorough Cleaning

If you’ve made it this far without anything raising a red flag, you’re in a great spot and you got here by being proactive! Continue the efforts and set yourself up for success by making sure your system is clean and ready to run efficiently for years to come – bonus points if a thorough cleaning is included in the purchase. Make sure there’s no signs of mold or mildew, and clean those ducts! Always keep the outdoor components of your system clean and clear of debris of any kind.

Schedule Routine Maintenance with an HVAC Professional

Now that you’re all set and ready to go, continue your efforts by scheduling a routine maintenance appointment. Much like your home, your HVAC system is a major investment and needs to be maintained as such. Having your system serviced regularly will keep it running more efficiently and extend the lifespan, both of which will save you money! We specialize in maintaining all makes and models of HVAC systems – give us a call, we’re happy to help!

We wish you the best when it comes to purchasing your new home, and are here to help you out at any point in the process – just give us a call! Hopefully, this list helps you stay informed and make the most informed decisions possible. If you need anything at all, call your friendly HVAC professionals at Aero Designed Systems!

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