Considering a Home Purchase? First, have an HVAC inspection! Purchasing a new home is an exciting experience! It’s one of the most significant investments you’ll ever make. As a result, it’s critical that you understand exactly what you’re getting.

Consider the following scenario. You’ve done a walkthrough, made an offer, and are now awaiting the results of your home inspection to ensure everything is in working order. The inspector ensures that the heating and air conditioning systems are operational before moving on to the next step. Everything appears to be in order, and you finish the sale of your property. The furnace breaks down shortly after you move in… when you discover that the heating system is about 30 years old! It’s worn out and no longer covered by the manufacturer’s guarantee.

This headache may have been avoided if you had gotten a professional HVAC inspection! Here are three reasons why a separate HVAC assessment should be performed before you close on a new house.

1. A HOME INSPECTION ALONE IS NOT ENOUGH
The primary purpose of a home inspector is to assess a house from top to bottom for safety issues. They examine a home’s structure and other components visually. They then write a report summarizing their findings and highlighting any areas of concern. Most house inspectors aren’t HVAC technicians. As long as the system is operational and blows hot and cold air, it meets their “excellent operating condition” requirements.

Inspectors aren’t required to assess fuel tanks, ignite pilot lights, or perform a variety of other vital heating inspections, according to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors. They also don’t have to check electrical current, coolant fluids or gases, or coolant leaks when it comes to cooling. A professional HVAC inspector will check all of this and more, and provide you with a complete report on the state of the system in the house. You’ll know exactly what you’re getting and be able to request repairs before closing.

2. RUNNING DOESN’T MEAN EFFICIENT OR EFFECTIVE
Just because something works doesn’t mean it works well. Old or poorly maintained equipment, leaky ductwork, and other frequent problems can reduce efficiency and increase energy costs. Heating and cooling account for 42% of your annual energy costs on average. An HVAC professional can pinpoint present difficulties, warn you about potential future concerns, and suggest pre-closing repairs you should require.

More than just your electric bill is affected. Uneven heating, inaccurate temperatures, and too much or too little humidity in your house are some of the negative consequences of inefficient or poor HVAC.

Mold and mildew can form in areas where the humidity is too high. Mold and mildew, of course, can be a health problem, causing everything from allergy-like symptoms to more serious medical issues. It’s simple to see why it’s critical that your HVAC system not only works, but works well.

3. AIR CONDITIONING REPAIRS AND REPLACEMENTS CAN BE EXPENSIVE
Even if you have a snazzy smart fridge, your HVAC system is likely the most expensive appliance in your home! An HVAC system replacement costs around $8,500 on average. An HVAC inspection, on the other hand, costs around $300 on average. Spending a little money up front on an HVAC inspection is significantly less expensive than dealing with a large, unexpected bill later!

Even if you don’t require a complete replacement, it’s a good idea to be aware of the potential repair costs. Your HVAC inspection professional should provide you with a list of repairs or upgrades that they propose. You can request a cost estimate to have those recommendations implemented. This way, you’ll know exactly what fees will be associated with your new property. It also gives you the power to ask the seller to make repairs or to negotiate money back at closing so you may do the repairs and upgrades yourself.

BNG provides HVAC Inspections in Boonville, Evansville, Newburgh, and Richland.