Have you been looking for the next place to dub “home sweet home? If so, congratulations on this next chapter in your life. Being in the middle of house searching and looking for a suitable home that will suit your needs is an exciting time. On the other hand, it can also be a very overwhelming time as well. Does the house check in the box for all your must-haves? Is it too big? Is it too small? Is the location good?
The fact of the matter is, buying a house is a huge commitment, so as your local heating and cooling experts, we also believe it’s important to know the condition of the house’s HVAC system before you move into a home. The last thing you want after moving in is an unexpected expense you had absolutely no idea was headed your way. Luckily, your team at Washington Court House Heating & Cooling has created a list of five red flags that anyone who is inspecting a house can easily look for during a walkthrough.
RED FLAG ONE: THE AGE OF THE HVAC SYSTEM
Is the system older or original to the house? If you are looking at an older house and it still has its original HVAC system, this is one of the first things we want to point out that you should be mindful of. Why? Good question! Older systems are typically less energy-efficient and more likely to have issues come up. Similar to a car, HVAC systems also lose efficiency over time. So, even if the system is not an older one, it’s important to consider its age and condition still.
For the most part, house listings have some type of information listed in their description, so you should already have an idea of the age of the system before touring the home, but it never hurts to check anyways. Plus, in the case the listing has no information, a quick once-over of the HVAC units should give you a rough idea of their condition and possibly their age. For instance, if you see excessive dust or corrosion on the HVAC unit, it could mean that it hasn’t been maintained as it should be, or it can indicate an older system as well. Heating and cooling units should be serviced at least once a year for maintenance reasons, so too much dust or rust buildup are dead giveaways that they may not have been taken care of as needed.
Now, we are not throwing ‘old faithful” under the bus just like that, either. Older HVAC systems may not necessarily be a bad thing, but it is a good idea to know that even a well-maintained HVAC unit generally lasts 15-20 years. So, if you decide to purchase this house, you may need to replace the heating or cooling unit (or both) soon. Knowing this beforehand could be advantageous on your part during negotiations.
RED FLAG TWO: DRAFTS OR UNREGULATED AIR
Next, as you tour the home, make sure to take your time moving from room to room. Naturally, you will be looking around at things like the room’s size, windows, and closet space. Just don’t forget to pay attention to the temperature. You may just be surprised to find that one room in the house feels stuffier or draftier than the others, which could be due to various reasons. This is just something you will want to be aware of as it may require future attention.
RED FLAG THREE: UNPLEASANT OR MUSTY ODORS
It’s important to pay attention to unpleasant or musty odors as they can signal issues with the ductwork or the HVAC system. So, don’t just shrug off any unusual smells you might notice that may be coming from the HVAC vents or registers. Potentially, you can even negotiate a duct cleaning if you decide this is the house for you.
RED FLAG FOUR: STRANGE SOUNDS
Another thing you want to keep an eye out for, or rather… an ear, is unusual sounds coming from the HVAC system. Odd noises like loud rattling, banging, or buzzing are audible flags that something underlying may be going on with the system, so although this may not be an automatic deal breaker, just keep it in mind so you are not blind-sided down the road when it does come time to have the issue assessed.
RED FLAG FIVE: NO HVAC MAINTENANCE
If you’re still considering purchasing the house after the tour, that’s great! Our next step we recommend is to request the HVAC system’s maintenance and repair records. These records should show any previous repairs or maintenance work done on the system. The absence of records may indicate that the system has not been well-maintained – ultimately, a red flag. Additionally, be wary of units that have undergone frequent repairs, as this may be a cause for concern.
THE SOLUTION: WHY SHOULD YOU REQUEST AN HVAC INSPECTION?
It is important to note that the red flags mentioned should not necessarily stop you from pursuing your dream home. Simply think of them as signs you want to be aware of so you can make the best-informed decision, negotiate, and plan for the future accordingly.
The great news is that we offer an HVAC inspection service. This includes a visit from a NATE-certified technician to the house. They will thoroughly inspect the HVAC system and provide a detailed report on its condition. If any repairs or upgrades are needed, they will be recommended. (This usually can be negotiated into the terms and arranged by the homeowner if you decide to move forward with the house.) Although it may seem like an extra unnecessary step, it can help you avoid unexpected issues and headaches later on. Buying a house is a big commitment, and being well-prepared so you aren’t taken by surprise shortly after moving in is crucial.
Washington Court House Heating & Cooling is a trustworthy local company that can assist you with all your HVAC needs. We are here to help you with any HVAC service you require. You can reach us at (740) 281-5312, or schedule an appointment online now by clicking here!
