WHAT TO EXPECT FROM AN HVAC INSPECTION

Why should you get an inspection?

Many homeowners get harmed by their own philosophy that something can be fixed once and the forgotten, especially when it comes to maintenance of your devices and systems. For example, you wouldn’t deep clean your home once and then never tidy again or avoid it until your home gets too filthy to live in.

In the same manner, you shouldn’t get used to the old notion of “why fix something when it’s not broken”. Sure, your system may be working okay, but is it working at an optimal level? Are there any broken parts or worn out parts?

Waiting until something is broken or waiting until your system is dead already, means that you will get plenty of bad news. Large bills, a crew in your home for several days, and a long time with no heating or cooling.

A simple annual inspection could prevent all of these problems and reduce the need for huge fixes. Of course, not only will an occasional tune-up help you avoid big breaks, but it will also improve the air quality in your house and improve the productivity and efficiency of your system. Your energy costs will be lower.

And then there’s the peace of knowing that everything is alright.

Should you do it yourself?

In case you are a licensed inspector of HVAC systems or an HVAC technician, you are free to assess your system yourself. In that case, naturally, there’s no one better to review it. However, since it’s more likely that you are not, you should call a professional to check it out. You will get an advantage of knowing what they are looking for if you talk to them so you can keep an eye on these elements in the future.

Of course, this is only a benefit when you can notice damage yourself and call someone professional to handle it, instead of trying yourself.

Why is maintenance important in warranties?

People often don’t listen to advice when it comes to HVAC inspections because they feel like it’s an overrated issue. But it’s not. Here’s why.

Not only will having frequent inspections reveal mistakes sooner and make repairs cheaper, but your warranty also requires you to conduct maintenance. You won’t be able to use your warranty if you don’t have this. The designers and manufacturers have created their products and warranties with maintenance in mind. Of course, parts need replacement and particles can clog your system which is why this is so relevant.

This is especially true if your system components are more than 10 years old. Maintenance should be done twice a year if this is the case. Otherwise, you’ll be overpaying for huge malfunction repairs.

Maintenance

Services included in an inspection vary from provider to provider. Naturally, depending on the number of services, the price will vary too. For instance, if you want a complete and in-depth inspection, you have to set aside around $250-$400.

If you want a simpler, annual exam, you can expect to pay anywhere from $80 to $150. These are called checkups, and there are also specific services like inspections of components which would cost about the same.

This is especially useful if you are just buying a new home and need an inspection. Based on the results, you can request a warranty or a replacement as one of your buying conditions. You might even be able to get your seller to pay for the inspection. But this will depend on whether it’s a seller’s or buyer’s market.

Will your home inspector look at HVAC as well?

A home inspector will evaluate your HVAC system but they have other elements to cover too. So, they will do a superficial overview of your system. An inspector specially dedicated to air conditioning, furnace and vent system will do a more in-depth look and deliver more truthful results.

Some home inspectors are more thorough, they are not legally required to have the knowledge to cover your system. Especially so in historic homes or older homes.

How to find a good inspector

Call at least a few services and ask for their process and their quotes. This would give you enough information to make a decision on what to do.

You should make sure that you’re getting a good inspection. Make sure that the contractor is licensed and that they have insurance. Their process should include different services and this will change the price. Here’s what they should be able to cover.

• Testing the voltage and electrical components
• Filter check
• Check for blockages
• Check the moving parts
• Thermostat check
• Inspect installation quality
• Test the safety
• Test airflow
• Check the pressure

And many more. Make sure to learn all about them before you get into your inspection.