Buying a new home is a complicated thing to do, and the same is true when looking into heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (otherwise known as HVAC). There are many factors that need to be taken into account before you ultimately make your decision to purchase. Doing the legwork and research early on will certainly lead to fewer headaches down the line. And if you’re unsure during any part of the process, that’s what heating and cooling specialists are here for.

The first thing you should do when looking into the HVAC system of a new home is walking around and turn on the air conditioning and heat to make sure both entities work at their expected temperatures. Although the technology has considerably improved over the years, the expected lifespan of an HVAC system is 10 to 12 years, so know what you have and when it was installed going in. This way, you’re not blindsided if you move in and all of a sudden, issues arise. If it doesn’t work, then the current homeowner should replace it, no questions asked. If it passes inspection and is humming as you’d expect, you should have nothing substantial to worry about.

You need to decide what works best for you if the HVAC system needs to be replaced. Do you want to take care of it yourself after purchasing the home or do you want to negotiate with the home seller to have a new system included in your purchasing price? If a new HVAC system is the only thing separating you from your family’s dream home, there is certainly a resolution to be found. That’s for you, the seller, and maybe even your broker to help figure out.

Another thing to find out is what the status of the warranty is. If the warranty is still in place when you buy the home, then it becomes yours, and any service that’s covered can be done free of charge. This is certainly key, because you don’t want to be throwing money away after taking such a big step like buying a brand new home. You should also read your warranty from cover to cover. While it may be tedious, you should know exactly what you’re entitled to in the event that your HVAC system malfunctions. You’d hate to pay for something to be fixed if it’s covered by the warranty.

You also need to know about how much electricity your heating and air conditioning unit consumes. If you have an electricity guzzler, than your monthly bill could be through the roof. If that’s the case, maybe it’s time to make a change, or you can have the system serviced to make sure it runs efficiently. You can always call an expert to weigh in on all of your Vancouver heating and cooling needs. They can give you some extra tips on how to conserve the unit so electricity costs stay down.

You should know when the last time the unit was serviced. Ask for documentation of proof from the seller. You also want to know whether the technician found any issues, and what steps were taken to remedy those issues. If possible, keep a record of this information on hand once you purchase the home.

How do external factors affect your potential HVAC use? That’s another question you should surely ask yourself when it comes to your Vancouver heating and cooling needs. First of all, are there trees nearby that provide a nice source of wind? If so, then instead of pumping on the air conditioning at the first sign of sweat, pop open the window. Not only does that save money, but it also sounds nicer than a sometimes-roaring air conditioner. On the opposite side of the coin, rather than pumping on the heat at the slightest sign of coolness, layer up. Try to be conservative with heat use. Again, this will save you money in the long run. There are other remedies to use to make yourself warmer rather than pumping up the heat every time you feel a little chill in your home. Another way to stay warm in winter is to make sure your doors and windows are properly sealed. That goes a long way as well.

If you ultimately make the decision to install a new system, you need to know what to ask your Vancouver heating and cooling professional. First, make sure they’re insured and provide proof, just in case. Then, ask the other essential questions. Do they haul away the old unit? If so, is that included in the original agreed-upon fee? If not, you should know the full scope of your financial commitment before getting involved in any kind of binding agreement. Also, what is the timetable from start to finish? Any reputable professional in the heating and cooling industry has been asked these questions many times before, so answering them should be no sweat.

Ultimately, there are a number of things you need to consider in regards to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning needs. Not only do you need to know what condition the system is in, you need to be able to estimate how much the bill will be and what the cost of maintaining the system will look like. Again, if you are unsure during any point of the process, the best case scenario would be to contact a Vancouver heating and cooling professional, because they’ll know what’s best for you and your family.