Springtime is commonly known as the best time of the year to purchase a home. The weather is favorable to open houses, drives around the new neighborhood, and the actual moving process. During your new home search in Princeton, NJ, there’s plenty for you to check, including the cooling equipment.
Some common questions to ask your realtor about your new home may include:
- How old is the home?
- How many owners has it had?
- Is it on a septic or sewer system?
- When was the last time it was painted?
- How old is the HVAC unit?
- What kind of water heater does it have?
- How old is the roof?
- What is the source of heating for the home?
This list is just a start, but one area that can be easily overlooked while the vaulted ceilings, shiny stainless steel appliances, and gorgeous back yard grab our attention is the cooling system. If you purchase a home with old, or even worse, failing HVAC equipment, you could quickly find yourself facing expensive repairs or even complete a replacement. On your next open house tour, make sure you ask the right questions and consider the following before you sign any papers.
New Home Tips for Cooling in Princeton NJ
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Equipment Age
Furnaces and air conditioners (if properly maintained) can last between 15 to 25 years. Ask your realtor the age of the equipment and plan accordingly. Be sure to factor in potential replacement costs as part of the real price of the home.
AFUE Ratings
A central furnace or boiler’s efficiency is measured by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). Though this may sounds complex, it is really just a direct ratio of fuel consumed to usable heat produced. The Federal Trade Commission requires new furnaces or boilers to display their AFUE so consumers can compare heating efficiencies of various models. Remember sure to check these levels for a better judge of how much running this equipment will cost in peak seasons.
SEER Ratings
Air conditioners are qualified by the SEER system which stands for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio.” Modern air conditioners have at least a 13 on this scale but can go as high as 25.
Maintenance Report
Has the equipment been maintained and inspected in the past year? The last thing you want to deal with is a failing blower motor or R-22 leak. Make sure your new unit has been maintained by a certified professional within the past 12 months.
Experts at Heating and Cooling, Princeton NJ
If you’re on the search for a new home, hopefully this blog will stir up some questions to ask the realtor about the home’s cooling system. But when your new home HVAC system needs repair, contact the repair professionals at Princeton Fuel Oil Heating & Air Conditioning at 800.253.9001. . Our technicians carry the NATE certification. North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is the leading certification program for technicians in the heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, and refrigeration industry and is the only test supported by the entire industry. NATE-certified technicians have demonstrated their knowledge of today’s increasingly sophisticated heating and cooling systems by passing a nationally recognized test developed and supported by all segments of the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning industry.