Purchasing a home means new beginnings in a new place. When buying a new home, one of the last things you want to worry about is the quality of your heating and cooling system. Dealing with uneven temperatures in your house is hard to deal with, and no one should have to worry about high energy bills and temperature variances as a new homeowner.
Your heating and cooling system is responsible for maintaining the comfort of your home. Some inspection must be made when purchasing your new residence. Ensure the air quality and temperature of your home meets your standards before buying it. If you do not identify possible issues with the home, you could inherit a new problem alongside your new house.
Think About Energy Efficiency
When choosing a home, your comfort and budget should be your priority. Even if there is no noticeable damage to the HVAC system in your new home, there could still be an issue with the unit. You must ensure the unit is in good condition and energy efficient. An energy-efficient home helps you save on energy bills, and it helps the environment. Energy efficiency also helps with the air quality of the house. Some people have asthma, so it isn’t a good idea to stay in a place that has an inefficient HVAC system.
Utility bills are not the only way you save money by being energy efficient. Your homeowner’s insurance provider may even offer a discount since you have an energy-efficient system. In addition, if you plan to sell your home later, the house might sell at a higher price. Houses with updated HVAC systems tend to sell faster. This is because potential buyers are willing to pay more for comfort initially if it saves money over time.
Take Into Account the Age of Your HVAC System
Sometimes, energy efficiency is due to faulty installation or equipment. Sometimes, though, it is due to the age of the system. Older HVAC systems are less efficient than modern models due to wear and tear. Don’t ignore the signs of an aging unit. You want to use your money to heat and cool your home without worrying that you are suffering from energy loss. Having some thermal boundary ensures no heat or air is seeping out. However, the problem over time is that the sealing in your home could be worn, letting air flow outdoors.
Some older HVAC systems use fossil fuels to operate. While this is not the worst source of fuel, it is also not the cleanest source of fuel. Most older homes waste around 30-40% of the energy used. Upgrading to a more modern system will not only save you money, it also will give you clean air to breathe in.
Considering the age of the HVAC system will guarantee that you won’t have to worry about constant repairs after moving in. Without professional repair or replacement services, your home may have hot and cold spots. Since the system is constantly being overworked, there is no way to supply the adequate energy needed over time. Your HVAC system’s lifespan could also be cut short due to overcompensating for an extended period.
Look at the Repair History
One area that potential homeowners forget to check is the repair history of the home. Potential buyers should be aware of any future costs they might have to dish out in the future. It’s a good idea to ask for maintenance records for the HVAC system as well. You want to know the actual condition of the house and all its appliances, not the condition the sellers tell you it’s in. There may even be some repair details regarding the HVAC system that the sellers forgot to include.
Besides obtaining the records, the best way to combat this issue of “hidden repairs” is to schedule a professional inspection of the home. An inspector will list all the things that are wrong with the house so you are aware of how much repair work needs to be done. You should also know what was repaired on the house in the past and why. In some states, it is required that this information be disclosed. However, even if you do not live in one of those states, you have rights. Depending on the problem, it could become hazardous to your household over time, especially if it relates to issues with structure or air.
The current homeowners shouldn’t have a problem with a potential owner requesting history records related to past and present problems. However, if you run into a homeowner who has no repair record information and does not allow an inspection, find another home. They could be hiding something that will cost you a lot of money.
Schedule an Inspection
No one expects you as a potential homeowner to be able to go into a home and point out every flaw that needs to be repaired. This is where professionals come into play. Most professionals have the skills, tools, and qualifications to complete the job efficiently. At the very least, you should know about the status of your heating and cooling system. It’s dangerous to experience Oregon or Washington winters without any heat, especially in a new home.
If the house is more than 15 years old, there is a possibility that the last owners have not done any significant updates to the HVAC system. A thorough inspection would allow you to know what needs to be repaired or replaced before you move in. After finding out the final cost of the upgrades, you might even decide that you no longer want the house.
If you try to inspect the house yourself, it’s easy to overlook issues with your HVAC system. After all, homeowners might not be 100% honest about the problems the home currently has, or they might attempt to hide many issues when selling the house. Call someone who has the tools to give you the answers you need.
How We Can Help
Besides the appearance of your home, your HVAC unit is one of the most vital parts of your home. Allow our team at Apollo Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to solve all your HVAC needs, including plumbing, heating, and cooling. Our business has been helping people since 1984, and we pride ourselves on treating our customers like family. We know how stressful it can be to deal with a faulty HVAC unit. We aim to fix your problem efficiently while saving you time and money.
We always put you first as a customer, and we never lose sight of our primary responsibility of servicing you as a consumer. Our team of experts has the proper equipment to inspect your HVAC systems. We also have the tools to fix every issue. Contact Apollo Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning to schedule HVAC services. You can find us in Oregon, Washington, and Indiana.
