When looking at a new house, there are some things about the air conditioning system you are going to want to find out.
When shopping for a new home, we all have a list of certain criteria that are non-negotiable, such as location, number of baths, and a central air conditioning system. A central air conditioning system has become as essential to most homeowners as a heating system is. This is due in part to the desire to make ones home as comfortable as possible while keeping costs down.
Inspect the Central Air Conditioning System
First, you are going to want to see the central air conditioning system. Both the components on the inside and the compressor outside. Check for signs of wear and tear and misuse such as rust. If the current homeowners have not been keeping up with maintenance of the central air conditioning system then you may end up with a lemon next summer. A good way to gauge if a homeowner pays the right amount of attention to their homes HVAC system is to ask them where to change the filter. If they don’t know than you don’t want to see it.
Inquire About the HVAC Maintenance
If the system seems to be well maintained than ask the owners about the HVAC company they rely on. It should be a company that is well established and local. Also note if the system has been updated. Older central air conditioner systems can be energy magnets. Newer models are built with better energy efficiency.
Besides the central air conditioning system itself, how modern is the rest of the system? Does the duct work look effective or is it covered in pieces of tape as makeshift repairs? Ask also to see the thermostat. A big draw for a home is one that is equipped with a digital thermostat that is programmable. This is a big money saver for your utility expenses.
Is the HVAC System Zoned?
If you are looking at a large home, ask if the HVAC system is zoned. This is when the system is set up to feed different areas of the home with hot or cold air to your specifications. For example, an unused area of the house can be set at a higher temperature than your bedrooms and kitchen, maximizing the efficiency of your HVAC system.
If everything looks good you can ask that your own HVAC technician come and take a look at the system. The technician can check the efficiency of the system for you and make sure that it is the right size for the amount of square footage the house has. Moving in to a new home is a joyous occasion that you don’t want marred by having no cool air on the first day that you move in. Call Thomas Hoffmann Air Conditioning & Heating LLC at (314) 471-7625 and make sure that the HVAC system in your new home is ready to work.
Photo credit: Steve Snodgrass via Flickr