Tips for Inspecting Home Heating Systems

Technician providing HVAC serviceBuying a home is a major life decision that requires a lot of planning. Among many things that should be on your mind, consider the state of the home’s heating system. All too often, unsuspecting homebuyers fail to check on a home’s HVAC system and a few months after purchase, find the system is badly in need of repairs or replacement.

These tips will help you determine if the heating system in a for-sale home is in good working condition.

Visually Inspect the Equipment

During your tour of the house, it is imperative that you ask to look at the HVAC system. If a realtor hedges on this, it’s a good sign to proceed with caution. However, if you do get a look, try to ascertain the following:

  • Does it look to be in good condition?
  • Is it making odd noises?
  • Is it working efficiently?

Looks alone won’t tell you all you need to know, but they can indicate some obvious problems.

Find Out How Old the System Is

HVAC systems have a lifespan of about 15 years. Depending on maintenance and repairs, it may last longer but if the home you are looking at has an older HVAC system, you want to consider replacing it. Energy regulations and advances in technology make newer equipment much more energy efficient and this investment can lead to lower energy bills in the long run.

Ask About any Past Maintenance and Repairs

If you don’t ask, you likely won’t be told about the history of an HVAC system. So, it is important during your inspection to ask the current owner about its condition. Some HVAC technicians leave behind a dated job ticket when they service a system. Check these mini-maintenance records for an accurate reporting on past maintenance performed. If there have been major repairs performed on a system, this can spell trouble for the future.

An HVAC system is integral to the comfort of your home. By inspecting these systems in advance, you will know if the home you are planning to buy will be move-in ready or needs immediate replacement. For the latter scenario, contact M.J. Fahy & Sons for reliable service.