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What to do when you move into a new house

Anytime you’re in the process of buying or moving into a new house, it is wise to investigate your HVAC system. While a general home inspection will identify if the system works or not, regular home inspections wouldn’t detect inefficiencies or anticipate upcoming maintenance. Luckily, it’s not difficult to assess your system before you move in.

Walk room by room

Whenever you do a walkthrough of your home, you’ll want to think about the HVAC system throughout. In every room you walk through, ask yourself: “What is the temperature in this room? What’s the level of moisture in this room? Are there drastic changes in temperature between rooms?” If you notice that the rooms feel stuffy, or don’t feel the same temperature in every room, your HVAC system may not be running correctly.

Check the vents

It’s worth the extra time and effort it takes to check your vents. Look at the location of vents for intake and outflow. Then, ask yourself: “Is air flowing constantly?” “Is the force of air consistent in every vent?” Fixing vents that are inefficient can prevent excessive heating and cooling costs.

Physically inspect the unit

It’s important to walk around the back and inspect the physical HVAC unit yourself. Leaves, dust, dirt, and branches could be stuck in your unit, making it way less efficient than it usually would be. Also, if you hear weird noises, call an HVAC expert.

Ask the (former) owners

There’s a lot of information you’ll want from the former homeowners regarding your HVAC system. Without these pieces of information, you won’t be able to determine if the system should be replaced or how to prepare for preventative maintenance.

Ask the former owner’s all these questions, and collect all the necessary materials from them before you settle in.

  • How old is your HVAC system?
  • When was your HVAC system installed?
  • Get the maintenance and repair history of the system.
  • Collect all the equipment manuals for your HVAC system?
  • Is there an active warranty or service plan on your HVAC system?
  • Age, model, capabilities of smoke/ carbon monoxide monitors and thermostats

Schedule an inspection

Whether it’s because you notice something off when you do a quick look at your HVAC system, or because you want to play it safe, it’s never a bad idea to schedule an inspection. Contact A&R Mechanical online to schedule an inspection.

HVAC Move-In Checklist, HVAC Move-In Checklist