Buying a New Home: What Questions you Should Ask about the Heating and Cooling System
Going out there and looking for a new place to call your home is already overwhelming enough and if you aren’t focused, you might miss some important details your new home should have.
To allow you to check off some of your worries when buying a home, here are some quick tips focused on what to check for your heating and cooling system when you want to move to a place in Australia that experiences the four seasons.
1. Check which Fuel Type is Available
Ask the agent which fuel the current heating and cooling system runs on. Check to see which of the following type of fuel it is dependent on. Here are fuel types used for heating systems:
- Gas (natural or LPG)
- Electricity
- Wood
2. What is the Size of your Heating and Cooling Units
Is it oversized or undersized? Having an oversized unit will tend to cost you more on your bill as it will expend a lot more unnecessary energy. If undersized, the unit will have to work overtime to heat and cool your home which will also result in higher energy costs.
Have a professional check the current unit in the house you want to buy. By doing this, you will be able to save yourself a lot of money in the long run.
3. Do a Background Check
Be sure to take note of the brand and model number of the unit to check the approximate age of a system. On average, heating and cooling systems tend to last 15-25 years still depending on the level of care it receives. Best to contact a professional to have a closer look at the unit.
You should also ask for available receipts of the service and maintenance history of the units. Doing so would allow you to determine if the unit has been cared for and what problems it experienced in the past.
4. Don’t Be Afraid to Test the Climate Systems
Once you’re in the house be sure to give it a test drive. It’s important to check its current performance before you settle in the place.
Pay attention to how fast the unit can cool and heat the home. Be sure to keep a lookout for any loud noises and obvious issues. Test every function possible to fully check if all is working normally.
5. Check if the Units can be Replaced
If you have the option to replace the unit any time soon you should also check this out. Be sure to put in the effort and do some research on your own. For example, you wanted to switch a gas boiler to a hydronic heat pump so you can save on cost and have a unit that can last up to 20 years or more.
Other alternatives can also be recommended by a professional so be sure to find the right help.
Being able to identify these questions when buying a house would allow you to have the perfect home that suits well to you and your family's needs, still, this is just the heating and cooling system and there are other factors to consider but this is a start. Happy house hunting!
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