Buying a new home in Champaign, IL involves many moving parts and players. Before making such a significant purchase, everyone wants to be thorough and ensure all components in the home are working well and up to code.
One component that should be inspected by a professional before buying the house is the HVAC system. Having a technician come out to the property can provide you with peace of mind and guarantee HVAC safety in your home.
An HVAC safety inspection may seem like a small thing compared to other aspects of buying a house, but waiting until after the home is yours may cause you unnecessary stress and financial commitment.
What Is an HVAC Safety Inspection?
For starters, HVAC refers to the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning components of the house. So, an HVAC safety inspection will thoroughly examine all of these appliances and parts to see if they are working correctly and not causing any safety issues or violations.
Heating units and air conditioners contain gasses and chemicals that only an HVAC technician should handle. By having this professionally trained person inspect your HVAC system, you’re establishing a connection for the future if and when you need HVAC assistance.
The company you chose to hire for the HVAC safety inspection will now have your details in their system, and you can call them up anytime for help. That means even if your HVAC system passes the inspection with flying colors like you hope it will, you know you still have someone trustworthy to call in a time of need.
What’s Included in an Inspection
When Castle Home Comfort Heating & Cooling sends a technician to a home for an HVAC safety inspection, they will go through a checklist of what to inspect, including:
- Evaluating airflow
- Checking air filters
- Testing the thermostat
- Inspecting the blower motor and condensate drip pans and drain
- Verifying refrigerant levels
- Looking over all connections and the exhaust system
- Assessing all electrical components, including the compressor and condenser
- Double-checking safety features like failsafe switches and surge protectors
- Visually confirming the unit is free from debris, pests, and leaks
Depending on the purpose of the inspection, the technician can also explain potential upgrades to your systems, such as extra filtration, smart thermostats, and surge protectors.
HVAC Services Available
While an HVAC safety inspection is one service available from Castle Home Comfort Heating & Cooling, it’s helpful to know all the services available for your HVAC system.
HVAC Inspection
An HVAC inspection will provide you with a written report on the details of your system, including information such as:
- The type of system
- When it was installed
- Its performance level
- Any parts that need repair or replacement
- Recommendations for improvements
Depending on the type of report, it can also include a quote for any HVAC maintenance or repairs found during the inspection and provide recommendations if the system is due for replacement.
The inspection report is most useful for home buyers or someone looking to get a second opinion about their HVAC system. An inspection can end at this point, or it can continue with any HVAC maintenance or repairs identified by the technician during the inspection.
HVAC Repair
Whether or not your home’s HVAC system has had a full inspection before, Castle Home Comfort Heating & Cooling can always offer HVAC repair inspections and services. This type of service is usually necessary when you notice your system is not heating or cooling as well as before.
Another reason to request a repair inspection is if your unit:
- Makes strange noises
- Omits odd smells
- Has a faulty thermostat
- Creates inconsistent airflow
- Uses more energy than before
- Shows wear and tear like water under the unit, rust, or other defects
When you call Castle Home Comfort Heating & Cooling for HVAC repairs, we will inspect your entire system and pinpoint where the issue lies. Then, we’ll give you a quote for the work to be done and proceed with your approval. Our technicians are trained and experienced, so you can trust they’ll do the job right the first time.
HVAC Tune-Up
Another type of inspection is an HVAC tune-up. If you’ve recently moved into your new home or are looking to sell your home, it’s an excellent time to have your HVAC system tuned up so it is running at peak performance.
Also, getting an HVAC tune-up before winter hits in Champaign, IL lowers the likelihood you’ll need service or repairs during the cold months. Making sure that everything is checked before the summer heat and humidity hits is also wise.
During a tune-up, our technicians will perform similar tasks as during a home buyer’s inspection. They can also check fluid levels, tighten loose parts, and perform other aspects of HVAC maintenance. If the technician discovers any minor repairs, they can also have those fixed at your approval.
An HVAC tune-up is a great way to save time and money in the long run since it helps prevent major repairs or a total breakdown. Plus, once a year, your technician will inform you of how your system is running and ensure its energy efficiency is at its peak, saving you even more.
Benefits of HVAC Safety Inspections
There are many advantages to having an HVAC safety inspection, including knowing the heating and cooling system of the home you’re about to purchase is safe and up to your standards. Even after you buy a home, it’s beneficial to have an inspection or tune-up at least once a year. By doing this, you ensure your HVAC system’s lifespan, efficiency, and performance are at their best.
Lifespan
When you know exactly where your HVAC system stands in terms of maintenance and repairs, you’ll have a much better sense of how many years it has left in it. Most HVAC systems can last for around 10 to 15 years before you need to consider replacing them. However, with regular tune-ups and timely repairs, you could easily extend its life by another five or even ten years.
If you’re moving into a newly purchased home, an inspection will help you know how many years your current unit has left, so you can start budgeting for a new one now. Your Castle Home Comfort Heating & Cooling technician can also recommend what systems to consider when the time comes to replace your old one.
Efficiency & Performance
Like with a car or other large machine, getting regular HVAC tune-ups ensures everything is operating at peak condition, making the system more efficient. Something as simple as a loose or broken fan can negatively impact your unit’s efficiency and cause your energy bills to increase.
When you have an inspection or tune-up every six months or year, you know everything is performing as it should, and you aren’t losing out on bills or harming the environment. You won’t have to worry about unexpected breakdowns or sudden shut-offs when your unit is checked regularly. A well-performing HVAC system also gives you peace of mind that you and your family will stay warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Contact Us for Your Next Inspection or Tune-Up
At Castle Home Comfort Heating & Cooling, your Champaign, IL, home’s comfort is our main priority. We strive to provide every customer with upfront pricing and dependable service. After being a part of this community for more than 40 years, we want to make everyone’s life a little bit easier by offering trustworthy, on-time services whenever you need them. Give us a call to schedule your next service!