5 Questions Prospective Homebuyers Should Ask About An HVAC System

Homebuyers in the Charlotte housing market are fighting through a tough seller’s market, scouring Zillow listings, receiving every notification they can from Realtor.com and are fighting tooth and nail to find their dream home. 

It’s no surprise that the Charlotte housing market has such fierce competition. In 2018 Charlotte was ranked the fourth-hottest U.S. housing market and is one of the fastest-growing cities since the Covid-19 pandemic. 

According to the Charlotte Observer, the number of homes for sale in the Charlotte area has dropped to its lowest level in 17 years. In February of 2021, new listings were down 6.2% in comparison to February of 2020. 

All of this to say, when Charlotte homebuyers finally have the chance to submit an offer, it can be tempting to buy as-is, to forgo the inspections, and to not press the sellers on details of the home’s maintenance, but these inspections are of the utmost importance. KUTV reports that the “percentage of successful offers between September 2020 and February 2021 that waived the inspection almost doubled from a year before.”

If your future home is not properly inspected for heating and cooling problems, you could end up paying the price a few months down the road. The NuBlue Air team has put together a list of essential heating and cooling items that you’ll need to check for before you sign on the dotted line. 

1. Ask About the Age of the Air Conditioning System

The age of an air conditioning system is particularly important. Typical heating and cooling units can last anywhere between 10-15 years if properly maintained. If the system in the home you’re looking at buying is nearing the end of its lifespan, it’s important to consider those ramifications. The system may not be energy efficient, it could require costly repairs or a complete replacement in the near future. To help you weigh your decision, ask the seller if there is any paperwork documenting previous inspections or if the unit is under warranty. 

2. Inspect the Ductwork

The next heating and cooling item that you’ll want to inspect is the ductwork. The average family creates nearly 40 pounds of dust each year, and this can all end up being recirculated throughout the year if the ducts are not properly cleaned. You’ll want to check for any gaps, loose connections, or signs of condensation as well as excess dust. Indoor air quality is an important feature of any home and can have consequences on your health if not properly addressed. 

3. Check The Refrigerant

Before you purchase your new home, you’ll want to find out what type of refrigerant the heating and cooling system uses. The Environmental Protection Agency has banned a refrigerant named R-22. If this new home’s heating and cooling system runs on R-22 you may have to replace the system sooner than you’d like because you’ll no longer be able to find or use the R-22 refrigerant. 

4. Find Out the Average Heating and Cooling Costs

Next, you’ll want to ask the current homeowners about the average heating and cooling costs in the home. If the system is being overworked, is outdated and not running at its peak performance or is too small for the size of the home, it will end up costing you more because it is having to do more work for the same output. This is important to consider because it could lead to a shorter lifespan, costly repairs and higher bills. 

5. Learn About the Home’s Insulation

Finally, if you’re in the market for a new home, you’ll want to learn about the home’s insulation. While this is not directly related to the heating and cooling system, it does affect it. If the home is not well insulated, the heating and cooling system will have to run more often in order to heat or cool the home. This results in an overworked system, higher energy bills and the need to repair or replace your heating and cooling system sooner rather than later. 

Homebuyers beware of these five heating and cooling warning signs and give your local HVAC technician at NuBlue Air a call before signing on the bottom line. Our team is ready to put your mind at ease when you’re going through the stressful process of buying a home.