You will want to get a HVAC inspection when you are buying a new house. Also, you will want to get your HVAC system inspected and maintained on a regular basis. Even the best system will break down and have issues that need to be addressed from time to time.

Most HVAC systems are designed to last at least 15 years or more now. However, when you are purchasing a home or having trouble with your system, a HVAC inspection is a good idea. If the home you are looking at is more than 10 years old, you may want to consider the price of a new HVAC system when making the offer on your home.

Before the HVAC inspection, you will need to make sure the utilities are turned on so that the system can be run for a period of time. The inspector will not only turn on the system, but we will run the system long enough that it has time to effectively heat or cool the house.

We will inspect your outside unit, inside unit and inspect all of the ducting that is possible to get to. Older homes have older systems and may not have the better ducting that has tighter seals. Hence, the ducting can become separated at the joints and be leaking air into your attic or crawl space. Heating or cooling this area is not an efficient use of your resources and can cause significant expenses over time.

Also, older systems do not burn as efficiently as the new systems. For example, many of the older systems only produce 65% of the heat from the gas while newer systems can extract 90% or better. The cost savings on the gas alone can justify a new system sometimes.

When the inspection is done, the inspector may give you a list of items that need repaired or replacing. If your HVAC system needs replacing or major repairs, you may want to get a second opinion before spending the money. The added expense may save you from replacing a system that still has many years of use left.

In summary, the HVAC system should be inspected before purchasing a new home and on a periodic basis. You will want to be at the inspection and understand the basics of the system. Remember that the ducting can be critical for savings on your system.