3 Key Reasons To Get an HVAC Inspection Before Buying a House
You’ve found your perfect home. It checks all the boxes and they accepted your offer below the asking price. You’re so excited you can hardly contain it.
What’s next?
Of course, you’ll practice due diligence and schedule the home inspection to ensure everything is in working condition.
But it feels like something is missing.
It is! Home inspectors aren’t HVAC experts, so you need to conduct a more thorough inspection of the home’s HVAC system before buying a house.
Having an HVAC inspection before buying a house can identify problems — or future problems — before you move in, potentially saving you thousands of dollars.
Here, the team at AAA Heating and Cooling reveals why you should get an inspection and answers the most commonly asked questions about HVAC inspections before buying a house so you can troubleshoot issues and enjoy your new home.
Table of Contents
- What Is an HVAC Inspection?
- 3 Reasons You Should Invest In an HVAC Inspection Before Buying a House
- Benefits of an HVAC Inspection Before Buying a House
- FAQs Regarding HVAC Inspection Before Buying a House
- AAA Heating and Cooling Offers HVAC Inspections, Maintenance, Repairs, and More
What Is an HVAC Inspection?
An HVAC inspection is a thorough evaluation of all parts of your heating and cooling system to ensure everything is working properly. What a home inspector offers is not the same thing as an HVAC inspection.
As the premier Portland HVAC company, AAA Heating and Cooling checks all the components of your HVAC system to guarantee that there are no surprises. After your inspection, we can give you an estimate for the costs of any necessary repairs and an idea of potential future repairs. We offer a thorough inspection for a reasonable price, providing the peace of mind that you are buying a home with a fully functional heating and cooling system.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
Why Does a Home Buyer Need an HVAC Inspection?
As a new homeowner, you want to avoid surprise expenses from an old or malfunctioning unit. A home inspector will look at the unit during inspection to see if it turns on and off. What they don’t do — and aren’t qualified to do — is delve into the nitty-gritty of fully inspecting the system because even if they determine your system turns on, it may not be working properly and can still cause issues shortly after moving in.
It’s easy and affordable to avoid these unexpected expenses by scheduling an HVAC inspection with AAA Heating and Cooling.
How Much Does an HVAC Inspection Cost?
The exact cost of your HVAC Inspection will vary based on:
- Your location
- The type of system you have
- The size of the unit
A general price range for an HVAC inspection before buying a house is from $150 to $500.
Contact AAA Heating and Cooling today to get a quote for your inspection. It is well worth your peace of mind to invest in an inspection and save a major headache and financial calamity down the line.
3 Reasons You Should Invest In an HVAC Inspection Before Buying a House
#1: HVAC Systems Are Your Home’s Most Expensive Appliance
A brand-new HVAC system can cost thousands of dollars, while things like your dishwasher or fridge cost much less. Having an HVAC inspection before buying a house will let you know the system’s current condition and give some insight into what you might expect in the first few years of owning your home. The HVAC inspector can provide information regarding your HVAC system, such as required maintenance or potential replacement down the road.
If service or repairs to your HVAC system are needed now, you can go into closing negotiations with that information at hand to make sure you do not have to eat the costs for something you were told was functioning perfectly.
#2: HVAC Systems Make Up About Half of Your Energy Bill
An HVAC system with issues can quickly cause your energy bill to rise, and a thorough inspection is the most effective way to reveal any problems that could affect your energy bill. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that your energy usage is roughly split in half between your heating and cooling system and all other energy consumed. Older HVAC systems are more likely to have efficiency issues and less likely to be ENERGY STAR certified.
You deserve to know, before closing on a new home, if there are underlying issues with your HVAC system that could cause excessively high energy usage and lead to higher-than-expected bills. The best way to know this is to schedule a thorough HVAC inspection before your closing date.
#3: Most Home Inspections Do Not Include a Thorough HVAC Inspection
Many home inspectors will just check to see if your HVAC turns on and off and that’s it. Hiring a reputable company like AAA Heating and Cooling for a separate and thorough HVAC inspection before buying a house will help determine the true function of your HVAC system — revealing any issues BEFORE you sign the paperwork to buy your home.
Benefits of an HVAC Inspection Before Buying a House
The biggest reason to pay for an HVAC inspection before buying a house is to uncover common hidden HVAC issues. This includes things such as:
- Dirty evaporator or condenser coils
- Clogged drain lines
- Poor or lacking previous maintenance schedule
- Blower motor issues
- Leaking ductwork
An HVAC inspection before buying a house also helps you gain negotiating power. If your inspector finds the system needs repairs, you have an opportunity to see if the seller is willing to pay for them before you sign papers or lower the cost of the home so you can pay for them yourself. If the home was presented as having an HVAC system in great condition and doesn’t, you have a great case for lowering the sale price or demanding that the seller make repairs.
FAQs Regarding HVAC Inspection Before Buying a House
What Happens During an HVAC Inspection?
During an inspection, the inspector will:
- Determine the age of the system
- Check the cleanliness of the components
- Evaluate the function of each component
- Inspect the safety mechanisms of the system
You will walk away knowing the ins and outs of the system and any immediate repairs that may be needed. You will also have a forecast for what to expect in the coming years in terms of regular maintenance and the projected lifespan of the system.
What Happens if an HVAC Inspection Reveals Significant Problems?
If issues are discovered during an HVAC inspection, your best course of action is to talk with your real estate agent about options. Sometimes the cost of repairs is too high to make moving forward with buying the home worth it.
You can try to negotiate with the sellers to cover the costs and fix any issues before you sign the paperwork, or negotiate the price down and take care of repairs on your own after you buy the home.
If you’re unsure of the condition of the HVAC system, you can’t negotiate on your behalf and could be left in a bad spot.
How Often Should I Have an HVAC Inspection?
Have an initial HVAC inspection before buying a house, prior to signing any papers. Once you purchase a home, you’ll want to have the HVAC inspected at least once or twice a year for regular maintenance, ideally in the spring for AC, and the fall for heating.
Regular maintenance is encouraged to keep your system in working shape and to help identify any potential issues before they become a big problem. AAA Heating and Cooling will remind customers of upcoming maintenance appointments, and factoring these expenses into your annual budget will keep surprises at bay.
What Happens If I Don’t Get My HVAC Inspected Before Buying a House?
If you choose to skip an HVAC inspection before buying a house, you can run into big issues after you’re officially the owner. Common significant issues include:
- Reduced energy efficiency
- High energy bills
- Increased risk of system failure
- Costly repairs that could’ve been prevented
- Reduced lifespan of the HVAC system
- Safety hazards
At AAA Heating and Cooling, we strongly advise you not to wait until the paperwork is signed and you have moved in to learn about the condition of your home’s most important and costly system. Imagine the struggle your family would face if, as your first winter approached in your new home, you urgently needed a new heating system or your system dies during the most sweltering week of summer.
Avoid being in a situation where you are trying to use internet hacks to fix your home’s HVAC system. Leave the maintenance of your heating and cooling system in the hands of the trusted professionals at AAA Heating and Cooling.
How Long Does an HVAC Inspection Take?
HVAC inspections typically take about an hour or two, depending on the size of the unit and its complexity. They can be scheduled in conjunction with the home inspection or separately.
At AAA Heating and Cooling, we work with your schedule to inspect your new house when it’s the most convenient for you. You can choose to be there during the inspection or receive our detailed report afterward.
AAA Heating and Cooling Offers HVAC Inspections, Maintenance, Repairs, and More
If you live in the Portland area, there is no one better qualified to provide an HVAC inspection before buying a house than AAA Heating and Cooling.
Our over 1,300 Google reviews speak for themselves. We are a family-owned company that has been in operation since 1961, and we pride ourselves on being a lifetime friend to your family.
The team at AAA Heating and Cooling is dedicated to helping you with your HVAC needs by providing quality services, repairs, installations, and outstanding customer service. Your health, comfort, safety, and satisfaction are our top priorities, and our expertly trained technicians in Portland and Beaverton are here for you.
Contact us today for an exact quote on your HVAC inspection before buying a house. Don’t let something so simple blindside you and end up costing thousands of dollars. You can either fill out a contact form on our website and an advisor will contact you within 24 hours, or call and speak with a representative directly to schedule an appointment.