When buying a new home in LA County, there’s a lot you need to think about, from the neighborhood to the number of rooms you need and whether you like the landscaping. While you might believe you’ve found the home of your dreams, it’s important to have a full home inspection done before signing the paperwork. That includes having the HVAC system inspected by a professional.
Having an HVAC inspection before buying a house is an extra expense and may delay the home-buying process by a few days. However, it’s worth having done to make sure the system is up to California code, so you can be confident that your family is safe and the heating and cooling system works as it should.
If you’re buying a new home in the LA County area, contact Fleetwell Air Conditioning, Heating, and Plumbing today for an HVAC inspection. We’ll go over the entire system, from the furnace to the AC and the ventilation, to make sure you’re getting what you’re paying for. A well-maintained HVAC system keeps you comfortable, saves you money on energy bills, and reduces the amount of stress that comes with new home ownership.
Understanding HVAC Inspections
When you schedule an HVAC inspection, an experienced HVAC technician will examine every part of the heating and cooling system in the home. HVAC inspections include:
- Assessing components
- Checking the overall functionality of the system
- Examining the electrical system
- Testing the airflow
- Testing the thermostat
- Checking refrigerant levels
- Looking for signs of damage
- Determining if HVAC repairs are needed
Fleetwell’s home-buying HVAC checklist includes everything you need to know to feel comfortable. We’ll let you know when to schedule your next maintenance call, whether there are major issues to deal with before moving in, and provide price quotes. All our findings are documented thoroughly, so you know exactly what you’re getting and what to expect from the HVAC system if you choose to purchase the home.
Importance of HVAC Inspections Before Purchase
Professional HVAC inspection services are important because they give you the information you need to make an informed decision and help determine if you’ll need HVAC repairs or upgrades after moving in. Our inspectors consider the following factors during an HVAC inspection.
Furnace and AC condition
Most furnaces and air conditioners have a service life of 10 to 20 years, but this timeline depends on how hard they’ve been run and how well they’ve been maintained. We’ll find out all we can about the condition of the HVAC system, so you know whether you’ll need to immediately invest in a new HVAC or if you can move in knowing you’ll have good-quality heating and cooling for years to come.
Hazardous issues
Our technicians will look for serious issues, such as faulty wiring or dangerous gas leaks, that must be resolved before moving in. We’ll give you a thorough report on our findings, as well as our price quotes for necessary repairs.
Energy efficiency
An energy-efficient HVAC system can potentially save you hundreds of dollars per year on your energy bills and help reduce your environmental impact. We’ll give you our efficiency assessment, with maintenance suggestions or replacement options if necessary.
If you do need to replace the system, the California government offers tax credits and rebates to homeowners who install high-efficiency heating and cooling systems, including ACs or heat pumps, geothermal systems, and some ductless mini-splits.
System setup
We’ll make sure the current HVAC system is set up to work efficiently in the home, including assessing the system size and the ventilation setup. If improvements can be made, we’ll give our recommendations.
Maintenance
We’ll let you know how well the home’s HVAC system has been maintained. A well-maintained system lasts longer and works more efficiently. Regular tune-ups include cleaning, replacing worn-out parts, lubricating moving parts, checking for mold, leaks, and other common issues, and optimizing settings to keep it running at its best.
Cost Implications of Skipping an HVAC Inspection
If you skip your pre-purchase HVAC inspection, you may face several issues and expenses with your heating or cooling system.
Frequent HVAC repairs
A neglected HVAC system will break down often, adding costly repair bills to your budget. Having an inspection done before you buy may give you leverage to negotiate the price of a new HVAC into the cost of the home if the system is older and on the verge of breakdown.
High energy bills
An older or poorly maintained HVAC system uses more energy as it struggles to keep temperatures consistent. This raises your energy bills, adding to the cost of living in your new home.
Medical costs
Poor air quality may affect your health and quality of life, especially if you or your family members have allergies or respiratory disorders. Your HVAC system needs to function well to keep clean, conditioned air circulating in your home.
Choosing the Right HVAC Inspection Service
The right HVAC inspection service offers the following benefits:
- Inspectors are available quickly, so you don’t lose your opportunity to bid on the home
- Experience in a wide variety of HVAC systems
- Licensed and insured technicians
- High-quality work and excellent customer service
- Transparent pricing, so there are no surprises on your inspection bill
- Excellent communication
- A full report on inspection findings to assist in negotiations with the seller
The Fleetwell team understands that time is of the essence when bidding on homes in the LA area. We provide clear, comprehensive reports, using language you can understand. We’re happy to offer price quotes or discuss our findings with you further. We aim to ensure your new home has a safe, functioning HVAC system, so you and your family are comfortable year-round.
Contact Fleetwell for Your Home HVAC Inspection
At Fleetwell, we’ll help you decide whether the existing HVAC system in your LA area dream home needs replacement or is good to go as-is. You can trust our experienced, licensed HVAC technicians to find any potential issues and give you a full run-down on what to expect if you buy the home.
When you choose Fleetwell, you’ll have all the information you need to make an informed home purchasing decision. Contact us today to schedule your professional HVAC inspection.
