Thinking of sprucing up your home to put it on the market before the end of summer? While you may think that adding a new coat of paint to the walls in the bedrooms and updating cabinetry and lighting in the kitchen or bathroom is all it takes to make your property a little more appealing for potential buyers, think again. There is a LOT more to consider!
Have you considered the current condition of your heating and cooling systems? If not, give serious thought to whether their current condition could deter potential buyers. The individuals looking at your home may not be able to detect that your AC leaks refrigerant, or that the furnace is over two decades old. However, when they schedule a home inspection, they’ll find out just how well these two vital systems work.
An air conditioner and/or heating system that isn’t working efficiently may lead to a potential buyer backing out of a sale — especially if you aren’t willing to lower your asking price because of the problems. This could mean that you are waiting longer to slap the “SOLD!” sticker on the yard sign in front of your house, and you may also have to postpone when your family will be able to move into your new dream home.
Common HVAC problems
When homeowners are considering putting their properties on the market, they need to be mindful of some common heating and cooling system problems that could prevent a potential buyer from completing the sale.
AC leaks refrigerant
The refrigerant assists with the entire cooling process. If your unit has leaks, your AC won’t be able to keep the home as cool and comfortable as you like it. You’ll know if your air conditioner is leaking if you have rooms or levels in your home that feel warmer than normal, or if you’re able to physically see a puddle on the ground or concrete surrounding your outdoor condenser unit. Generally, the solution to the problem is simple. A cooling professional should be able to detect the location of the leak in your system and repair it. He or she should also be able to replace the lost refrigerant.
AC or heater has reached the end of its usable life
If your air conditioner is over a decade old, and/or your furnace is over fifteen years old, it may be time to consider purchasing a replacement unit(s). These systems may no longer be as efficient as they should be, and it could be costing you extra money on your energy bills to keep them running.
You may have also noticed that your home doesn’t feel as warm/cool as you prefer, even with the thermostat adjusted to an extreme warm/cool temperature so your family can be comfortable. This wouldn’t be necessary with a newer, more modern and efficient unit. A heating and cooling expert will be able to help you choose the right replacement systems for your home’s needs.
Lack of air conditioner and/or furnace maintenance
If you haven’t been keeping up with annual tune-up appointments for these vital home appliances, you’ll want to find out how much damage has been done. You may have a clogged air filter that hasn’t been changed in months — or years. While it’s simple enough to replace a filter, the dirt and dust that has built up in your systems may have caused irreversible damage to internal components and wiring. A heating and cooling professional will be able to inspect your system(s) to determine what needs to be repaired or replaced to get the unit(s) running efficiently again.
Defective parts or improper installation
Your family may have lived with hearing that odd clanking sound whenever the furnace would run, but this sound could indicate that the system has a defective part that needs to be repaired or replaced before it causes problems in other areas of the unit. The same could also be said for the internal components in an air conditioner. A defective part will eventually spell trouble for the overall functionality of the unit, and for the comfort of your family.
Also, if an air conditioner or heating system isn’t the right size for the home, it will eventually cause problems. Units that are too small will constantly be running, and this could cost the homeowner a ton of money on energy bills. Units that are too big won’t be able to properly heat or cool the home and could still cost a lot of money to operate. Therefore, it’s important to work with a professional when choosing a replacement unit.
Your responsibilities as the current homeowner
If you are serious about selling your home, make sure that your air conditioning and heating systems are safe and efficient. Take the necessary steps now to get these units in good working order before a potential buyer finds issues during a home inspection.