Need Help With Your HVAC? These Home Inspectors Have Answers
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Today makes it two weeks since our air conditioner’s fan and fan motor decided to give up the ghost and cease all operation. The high that day was a very muggy 90 degrees.
Our first call was to the HVAC company that services our air conditioner and furnace annually. It was going to take three days at least — five max — to get the parts we needed for the repair, and that’s with throwing down to expedite it.
Now, I’ve had the same unit that I had 14 years ago when I bought my house, but could you imagine buying a home in this market and waiving your inspection only to find your HVAC in better condition to limp than run?
To drive that point home, here’s some advice from the great people at Green Scene Home Inspections on how to prevent disaster as well as some common problems and fixes. Check out these Upon Closer Inspection columns
HVAC Issues Are a Common Problem
As a homeowner, or a Realtor working with homeowners, common home issues are good to be aware of so you can take care of your home while you own it and look for potential problems when you’re buying a new one.
In North Texas, the HVAC is a huge one. Our poor HVAC systems get a workout, especially on those “winter” days when we go from heat in the morning to AC in the afternoon, back to heat at night. You’ll want to look at the age and wear on a HVAC system. The average lifespan is 15-20 years – so you’ll want to know the age and how well the system has been maintained so you can plan accordingly.
Don’t Skip Summer Maintenance
It’s recommended to have your AC serviced at least once a year to make sure you have plenty of coolant, the mechanisms are clean and working properly, and the vents and ductwork are set up correctly. It’s better to pay to maintain your AC equipment than to pay to repair or replace it.
When Seasons Shift, Problems Pop Up
Inspections uncover lots of seasonal repair and maintenance issues in houses. So whether you’re in the market for a home or you’re a homeowner, here are some summer-related problems to look out for.
Our mild spring made it easy on our HVAC this year. It’s really important to have your system serviced regularly to prevent major problems from occurring.
Everyday Tasks to Keep Your HVAC Healthy
How often do you clean your registers? Be honest.
Your A/C is getting a workout this summer so it needs a little extra love. Add in the greater tendency for condensation around vents because of the extreme temperature differential between inside and outside, and you have a breeding ground for mold. Ew.
Of course, that’s not the only thing you should make sure to do to keep your air conditioner blowing cold.
