If you're in the market for buying a house, you can decide whether a prospective home's HVAC system is right for you by asking these five questions:
The various components of an HVAC system should last around 10-15 years for an A/C, or 15-20 for a furnace. The older the machinery, the less energy efficient it is. You can also expect that older machinery will break more often and need to be replaced sooner. Proper maintenance is a big factor in the longevity of an HVAC system.
Routine maintenance ensures that fluid and oil levels are properly maintained, electrical connections are tightened as they should be, and the system is running with a minimum of wear and tear. Ask the current owners for whatever maintenance or repair documents they might have to give you an idea of what condition the system is in.
While windows and doors aren't part of your HVAC system directly, they do affect how hard the system works and how much you spend on energy costs. You can do a simple test for air leaks:
The smoke will blow in the direction of a draft if there is one. Simply sealing the leaks - or having the current homeowners take care of the problem before you purchase the house - can save you a lot on your energy bills.
Just like leaks around windows, leaks in your air ducts cost you money. Again, this can be a fairly simple fix if there are problems.
A well-insulated house keeps you comfortable and saves energy. Be sure to check that the whole house has adequate insulation, including any additions. For more information about HVAC concerns when buying a house, contact Russell's Heating & Cooling today. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chesapeake, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about new HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 757-750-1831. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”