When you’ve decided the time is right to buy a home, there are many things to consider. The location, the size, the layout, price, lawn, and condition are all vital things to keep in mind when shopping for a home. With all of these things on your mind, it can be easy to overlook something like the HVAC, electrical, and plumbing. But these systems make a significant difference in the operation of your home, your bills, and the amount of energy your home emits.
With help from Doctor Fix-It’s licensed technicians, you can make sure the systems in your new home are up to par so that you can enjoy your new home to the fullest and help it run as efficiently as possible.
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Keep an Eye Out for the Right Things
When house-shopping, it can be easy to get carried away by more exciting aspects of the home, like the kitchen, the size of the rooms, or a great porch. But while you’re checking out all of those things, you should also take a good look at the electrical, plumbing, and HVAC systems. Find out how old the electrical panel, furnace, air conditioner, and water heater are and where they are located.
Go Beyond the Inspection
You’ll have to get a home inspection before you buy a home. The inspector will look for problems with your systems, but these checks are typically meant to establish that the equipment is safe to operate. But by merely confirming the systems are secure, you might be setting yourself up for higher bills, inefficient operation, and appliances that are harmful to the environment. Instead, you should add space in your home budget for new, more efficient equipment and have a professional install it before you move in. In addition, make sure quality providers who stand by their work perform any upgrades.
Water Heaters
When it comes to water heaters, look for inefficiency or old age. You should replace tank-style water heaters every eight to 10 years, so find out when the water heater was installed. The older the water heater gets, the less likely they are to run efficiently. Depending on the age and model of the water heater, its function can drop to as low as 30% of its efficiency when it was new.
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Air Conditioning and Furnace
Temperature control systems also must be inspected to determine their age and efficiency. They can start to break down around the 10- to 12-year mark, at which point significant repairs and replacements become more likely. These systems can cost a lot of money to replace, so make sure that you set a budget for high-efficiency appliances that will last a long time.
Ventilation and Humidification Systems
After you’ve purchased your new home, it’s an excellent idea to have a professional clean all of your ducts. While you’re having this done, you can add indoor air quality products such as air purification or whole-home humidification. Products like these are beneficial if you or someone in your family has allergies.
Lighting
Lighting can be a challenging thing to judge when you’re home-shopping. You often don’t know how the lights look throughout the day until you move in and live in the home for a few weeks. You should work with a qualified electrician to identify any issues with the lighting in your home and correct it. You can also budget for energy-efficient lighting solutions that will save you money and be kinder to the earth.
Get Your New Home Checked Out by a Pro
Doctor Fix-It offers many options for new home buyers. With licensed plumbers and electricians, and certified HVAC experts, Doctor Fix-It’s professionals provide budget-friendly proposals and industry-leading warranties under one roof. Satisfied clients have all of their needs met by one company.
Doctor Fix-It’s team of knowledgeable, trained experts are ready to make sure your water heater is ready for the winter. Contact your Denver-area Doctor Fix-It location at 303-993-1550 to schedule an appointment for a no-charge electrical estimate today!
