Buying a home is quite an investment. As with any large purchase, doing your due diligence before signing on the dotted line is essential to making sure that you get a fair deal. It is for that reason that a detailed home inspection is typically done before a purchase contract is finalized on any home.
A detail that is often overlooked, however, is a thorough HVAC inspection. Why is a separate inspection of the home's HVAC system important? Here are some key reasons why you should have an HVAC inspection done before buying a home:
- Home Inspectors are not HVAC system experts– Most home inspectors are very thorough, going over every inch of homes in order to provide accurate assessments to potential buyers. That said, it is important to realize that they are not HVAC specialists, and may miss important details that a trained HVAC professional would not.
- HVAC repairs or replacement can be very costly– Many details that may be missed during a general inspection can be quite costly to remedy. A cracked heat exchanger in a furnace, a faltering A/C compressor or defective ductwork, for instance, issues that wouldn't be obvious to a non-expert.
- HVAC systems that are in poor condition can cost youevery month– Even if there are no serious hazards or glaring problems, an HVAC system that has been poorly maintained or is near the end of its lifespan can be an energy hog, leading to high utility bills.
- Sellers disclosure reports are not always accurate– Relying on a seller's disclosure report as an assurance that the home's HVAC system is in good condition can be a costly mistake. Even the most honest sellers can only disclose issues they are aware of, so unless they have had the system inspected quite recently, there may be issues that are not noted in their reports.
The bottom line is that an HVAC inspection is an essential step in the home-buying process. Still have questions? Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at (408) 868-5500.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).