HVAC Move In Checklist

Moving into a new place is always an exciting adventure. You get to pick which room you want, what you need to get rid of, what you need to buy, and how to position your couch in a new space so it covers the stain on the back. There’s so much to consider, and here’s yet another thing you need to have on your mind when you’re looking at new places: the HVAC system.

Now, it seems obvious. You want to make sure the A/C works right now, because it’s blazing hot since summer hit. But what about the furnace for when hot days turn to cold nights? Or the ventilation in the spare room? Or, what about the filthy air ducts covered in cat hair and debris? There are tons of checklists out there for regular maintenance, but we wanted to provide a solid walk through (literally) you can do and ask before you move in, to make sure that your new place lives up to your expectations!

First things first; feel it out. While you’re walking your potential new space room to room, you should be reaching out to all the vents and making sure they’re distributing air evenly. Look at the vents to make sure all doors and levers work properly, in order to ensure the most efficient air flow. Ask if you can test the heat as well as the A/C, because if you’re going to buy it, you better have a fair assessment of how it works. Now, walk out to your physical air conditioning unit. This is another important thing to get your eyes on. If it’s an eyesore, you should likely replace it, or question the damages. You can also remove any items that could be hazardous to the unit, such as branches and leaves that could clog and inhibit air flow.

You should be asking questions. You want to know the maintenance history, how long the unit has been in use, and how often it has been repaired. These things can help you plan your future relationship with your HVAC system, and make it a positive one for both of you. Better yet, have an HVAC technician handy to estimate how much longer you have with you r current unit, and potentially save you the headache of trying to fit a surprise new furnace to your budget! Each unit is unique and comes with it’s own set of rules and guidelines, all found in the manual. Request these manuals from the previous owner, they shouldn’t need them wherever they’re headed. If you can’t get copies, look them up online and see what you can come up with.

The best way to cohabitate with your HVAC system, is to understand what it needs from you. If you can’t figure it out on your own, we have technicians readily available to help repair any issues you may have, and answer whatever questions you have lingering. As always, if you need help with any of your HVAC systems, feel free to reach out to Priority Heating & Cooling.