Buying a new home? Check These Residential HVAC checkpoints

Having own home is everyone's dream and buying your very first home is a big decision. You tend to look at everything from location and infra-structure of a home to paint-colours and available space for furniture arrangement. The process is time-intensive, yet you like to make it manageable and best decision possible.

Despite that all things are considered, homeowners often ignore a critical factor that can cost more than others! Yes! You guessed it right! A fully functional HVAC system! That does not just save you from the scorching heat of summer but save a lot of bucks on the utility bills because heating and cooling takes up over 45% of the energy consumption in every home in Ontario. 



Why hiring a home inspector is worth-considering?

Generally, buyers pay for the home inspection to evaluate all the ins and outs of the property. Home inspectors are certified, and skilled individuals who look at house HVAC system, plumbing, roof, attic, floor windows, basement, ceiling and then provide a written report. Getting the blemish-free reports about the prospective home is very rare. The problems usually identified are minor, and you won’t bother fixing them. However, there are some major issues that may prove to be troublesome in the long run.

If you don’t want to invest a few extra dollars in home inspector - then follow these simple steps to evaluate the health of the HVAC equipment. 

Check out the location of the indoor and outdoor unit

Make sure the indoor unit is not in attic; if it is, there are high chances that water damage may occur. You should also check where the outdoor unit is, it should not be located close to bedrooms because it is noisy, and homeowners get irritated.

Closely examine the HVAC equipment

The next step is to see the signs of damage to the equipment. Look carefully if there are dents, cracks, rust strain or any missing or unusual sound. If the HVAC system is older than ten years or has long surpassed the life of expectancy; it’ll soon need to be replaced and may cost you thousands of bucks in installing a new unit.

Check whether the system in your prospective home is energy efficient

- Type of unit installed

The HVAC system can be of two kinds: central and ductless. You may have to install ducts throughout the home for a central system. On the other hand, a ductless system consists of outdoor condenser unit and air handlers. A ductless system is more efficient in terms of adequate cooling, zoning and cost efficiency in the long run. 

Examine the maintenance record and warranty

Ask the realtors to provide you with the maintenance record. If the former homeowners have been keeping up the proper maintenance schedule, they won’t hesitate to offer you the maintenance record. If the equipment has not been appropriately maintained, you will have to deal with frequent repairs and the product is more likely to expire before the probable life span.

The other important thing you should consider is warranty. It typically lasts five years after installation. It gives you a clear idea about future repair cost. 

Inspect the ductwork
Ductwork is one of the crucial components, and you must look for loose connection gaps and most importantly condensation that indicates whether the system needs repairing. If the ducts are dusty, it means homeowners have not been keeping up with the necessary maintenance. 

Check installed insulation

Insulation becomes messy and less effective over time - if the insulation has not been done for so long, the chances are abundant that the prospective home may develop drafts or leaks.

Follow these guidelines and you will be able to avoid the mistake of ending up purchasing a wrong home. 

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