The average home price in the US these days is over $400,000. That’s a lot of money, and you want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck. Considering a new heating and air conditioning system can also get quite pricey, it’s definitely worth checking out the state of the HVAC in any home you’re considering purchasing. Beyond the basic inspection, we’ve come up with a list of things to keep in mind when you’re thinking of putting in an offer on a new house.
What Should I Look Out For?
- The Age of the System
The average lifespan of an HVAC system is 15-20 years. Is the system in the home you’re looking at nearing the end of its useful life? If so, it might start costing you money in repairs and replacement parts. You might even need to replace the whole shebang sooner than expected, so make sure to factor that into the overall picture. - The Model of the System
Even if the HVAC system is a newer model, is it energy-efficient? Whether you’re concerned for the environment or your wallet (or both!), the efficiency of the home’s system is definitely worth taking a look at. According to the Department of Energy, energy-efficient HVAC systems can save you up to 30% on your energy bills per year—that’s definitely something to consider when planning out a budget for your new home. - The Maintenance Record
As we’ve mentioned many times before, regular maintenance can really prolong the life of your HVAC system. Much like buying a used car, knowing the maintenance history of the system can give some insight into how well it was taken care of and any problems that may arise once it’s your responsibility. Ask the previous homeowner to see their maintenance records. If they’re unable to provide them, you may be able to get the information indirectly, as the seller is usually required to disclose any known issues. - Temperature Change
You can’t always see what’s going on “under the hood.” But you can do a common-sense analysis to make sure the HVAC system is doing what it’s meant to do. Turn on the A/C to see if it gets cold, then turn on the heat to see if it gets warm. If the home has central A/C, walk from room to room to see if the cold air is distributing properly. A specialist can get more precise, but this is a good place to start. - Anything Out of the Ordinary
When you turn on the HVAC system to check that the temperature changes appropriately, take it one step further, and use your powers of observation. Do you hear any weird noises? Do you smell any unpleasant odors? Do you see any leaks? A common sense analysis can be revealing, even if you’re not an expert—if it sounds like the system is struggling, then it probably is. Mark that as a red flag that requires a deeper investigation.
What Should I Do if the HVAC System Has Problems?
If any issues do pop up in your inspection, you can use them to negotiate the price of the home down. Estimate the cost of fixing the problems, and build that cost into your offer. Or you can use these issues as a sort of tiebreaker—if you like two homes equally, the extra headaches might not be worth the trouble. And lastly, if your budget is tight, it might be time to move on. An HVAC system is a big investment, and you don’t want that investment to put you in a stressful situation.
Will Appel Do the Inspection for Me?
Yes, absolutely! These inspections need to happen during the right time of the home-buying process. But we’re always happy to come out, take a look, and give our expert opinion on what you can expect from the home’s HVAC system. We can even come up with an estimate for any repairs or replacements we see as necessary, so you can use that in your negotiations.
When you’re buying a new home, you want to make sure you’re happy with the entire package. Taking a little extra time up front to get all of the important information about the HVAC system can protect you from any expensive surprises down the line. We’re always happy to help prospective homeowners make sure they get their money’s worth—give us a call with any questions or to schedule an inspection!