What Should First-Time Home Buyers Know About HVAC?
As first-time home buyers, purchasing your first home can be exciting as well as overwhelming. From pre-qualifying to house hunting to inspections, it can really add a mountain of stress to an already hectic life. Luckily, 1-800-anytyme has some tips to help you out.
Here are a Few Things to Look For
- Age of the HVAC system: Knowing the age of the furnace and air conditioning unit will give you a good idea of when you might need to replace them and if they are still covered by a warranty.
- Furnaces are expected to last 10 to 20 years depending upon usage and maintenance.
- Central air conditioners generally last 10 to 20 years depending upon usage and maintenance.
- Heat pumps used year-round have an estimated life span of 8 to 12 years.
- Maintenance and Inspection: HVAC systems need to undergo regular maintenance to run at peak efficiency. Beware if the seller can’t provide any maintenance records.
- Ducts: While house hunting, make sure to look at any visible ductwork. Keep an eye out for tears, loose connections, condensation on the ducts, and gaps where ducts connect to one another.
- Energy Rating: It is a good idea to know the efficiency ratings of the systems, which are labeled as Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) for furnaces, and Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios (SEER) for heat pumps and air conditioners. A heat pump might also have a Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF) energy rating. The higher the number, the more efficient the system should operate. However, the actual the actual efficiency is highly dependent on factors outside of the system such as duct work sizing, duct leakage, quality of installation, system balance, age and condition of the system.
Contact Us
Whether you are a first-time home buyer or not, it is always a good idea to have the system in your prospective home inspected by a licensed heating and air conditioning contractor. Schedule an appointment with us here at 1-800-anytyme. We would love to help you out! Call (760) 477-0072 to speak with a member of our team today!