What to Know Before Purchasing a Home: HVAC Edition
House hunting can be a long process. When venturing into the market,there are a few key things to assess before signing that dotted line. It’s good to acknowledge the floors, cabinets, how many bedrooms there are, etc.. Hardly anyone thinks “I wonder what kind of air conditioning system this home has?” But there are a few questions to ask that are crucial when determining if the house’s HVAC system is up to par.. Let’s talk about them.
Questions to ask regarding the system
When purchasing a new or used home, it’s always good to ask the seller the following questions:
- What type of system is it? (brand, gas, electric or heat pump, tonnage and SEER rating)
- Is it under warranty?
- When was it installed, and is it up to date?
- Has it ever been serviced?
- If it has been serviced, can you provide documentation of the services performed?
- What type of thermostat is installed?
Red Flags
Of course these are not all of the red flags, but one or more of these could linked to future problems. We want you to be the expert when purchasing a home.
Older Equipment
Equipment older than ten years means that there is a likely chance that it’ll give out on you or have issues in the near future. Also, equipment that runs on the outdated R-22 refrigerant are going to be more pricey than they are worth. Remember, you just bought this beautiful home and it costed some serious money. So why would you want to dish out more cash for your HVAC system in this new home? On average a new HVAC systems can range from $6,000 to $13,000.
An Improperly Sized System
When a system is improperly sized, it can cause the unit to under perform or overwork itself to make up for the difference. For new construction and new homes, a manual J is supposed to be performed. A manual J will ensure that the proper tonnage is installed. You will also get comfort knowing that you will have increased energy efficiency and comfort. A properly sized system on the other hand, can lessen excess moisture and improve your IAQ or indoor air quality.
Previous Work
A system that is regularly maintained will give a better performance and increase its lifespan. Having record of previous work can help you when troubleshooting any unexpected breakdowns/ leaks. Oftentimes there are recommendations left behind by the previous technicians and those can save you when you’re in a bind. We always recommend getting set up on your own maintenance plan, such as our Diamond Club.
Inspect the Duct System/ Insulation
What’s the point of having an awesome, high efficiency air conditioning system if it’s all seeping out due to poor duct work and insulation. Poorly placed duct work can inhibit every room from getting equal airflow. Have you ever been somewhere and the room in the front gets super cold whereas the rest of the establishment feels Texas in July? We want to make sure that you have equal airflow where you want it/ don’t want it. You can take a peep into the attic usually and check to see if there is insulation around the duct work.
There are factors that we’ve left out or forgotten and it’s important to know that the more questions you ask, the better! If you ask these questions you’ll be well on your way to getting your money’s worth in your future home investment. If you run into something we did not discuss in this blog, try looking at our other pages. We offer may great tips on Midland air conditioning, IAQ products such as the Reme Halo and much more. You might find your answer, or give us a call! We’d love to assist you. 432-606-9787