Buying a home, whether pre-owned or new, is a daunting task. You want to make sure everything is as near perfect as you can afford -- and that includes the HVAC system. That's why, beyond the regular home inspection, you need a separate HVAC inspection before you commit to a down payment.
Why a Home Inspection Isn't Enough
Generally a home inspector goes through a house and performs a visual inspection of all main systems. Afterward, the inspector will give the clients a written home inspector contract and inspection report. This report will include inspection of the heating, cooling and venting systems, as well as energy sources and distribution equipment. The inspector will also report on insulation and vents.The only action the inspector will perform on the HVAC is to turn the systems on and off to make sure they work. This won't tell you some important things you need to know, such as:
Maintenance records for the system, including major repairs, and how old it is
If the filter has been regularly changed
How efficient the system is, as in average cost of annual utility bills
If the system is sized correctly for the home
These are things the homeowner needs to know before investing in the house. You probably don't want to invest in a home where the HVAC system hasn't been kept up, unless you make provisions for repair or replacement by adjusting the purchase price.If you're looking at a new home, the inspector should check out the equipment and installation, including ductwork and ventilation, and should be able to assess in general how efficient the system is likely to be.
What You Should Do
Hire an experienced HVAC inspector to look at the system and be thorough in finding answers to the questions above. Remember, if the seller hasn't kept up the system in a pre-owned house with routine preventative maintenance, hidden flaws may be lurking that could cost thousands of dollars.To learn more about an HVAC inspection, contact Air Assurance. We've served Broken Arrow since 1985.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the Tulsa and Broken Arrow, Oklahoma area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC inspections and other HVAC topics, call us at 918-217-8273. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “paulbr75/Pixabay”