Buying a new home is an exciting time, but it can also be stressful: the decisions you make now will shape your family’s life for many years to come. And when simply heating and cooling your home can add up to over half the cost of your ongoing energy bills, the HVAC system is an important but often overlooked aspect of buying a house.
Here are the top 5 HVAC considerations you should keep in mind while you’re looking:
- What kind of system is in the new home? Is it a central system, or a collection of individual units? A traditional furnace and air conditioner, or a high-efficiency heat pump? The type of unit will have a major effect on your comfort and monthly bills.
- Where are the units located? Are they located in areas which are easily accessible for maintenance and repair? Are outdoor units placed in areas with adequate airflow around them? Are they unpleasantly near to bedrooms and other areas where noise will become a concern?
- What type of fuel does the system use? Heat pumps run on electricity, while furnaces may take gas or oil. Rarely, you may even encounter units which use propane, wood, or solar energy. Ask your local HVAC experts about the cost and efficiency of each option in the Coastal Bend area.
- How old is the HVAC system, and how well has it been maintained? Is it aching for a replacement? Has it been expanded, perhaps as the home itself has been renovated?
- What’s the overall energy efficiency of the home? This includes factors like insulation, duct design efficiency, air leaks, attic heat gain or heat loss, and many other considerations. If the home has been occupied before, are the energy use records available for you to examine? If the energy efficiency is low, are the problems easy fixes or expensive renovations?
When you’re buying a house, there’s a lot to keep in mind. If you have questions about evaluating the HVAC system in your potential new home, call CCAC to speak to our HVAC experts today!
Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.
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