Summer is a prime time to sell new and existing properties. Potential buyers sometimes forget to inquire about the heating/cooling (HVAC), system when buying a home.
Heating and cooling costs account for almost half of home energy consumption. Before you make an offer, do your research. Here are some tips to help homeowners of existing and new homes make sure that the heating and cooling systems work efficiently.
– Construction of new homes. A few brands of air conditioner and furnace systems are typically offered by production home builders. Ask your builder to tell you the model number and brand of the furnace and air conditioner that will be installed in the new home. Also, inquire about its fuel efficiency.
Upgrades to higher-efficiency systems might be worth it. An experienced contractor can help you determine the savings potential of a high efficiency unit. A homeowner could save as much as 40% on heating and cooling costs by choosing an Infinity 19 heatpump by Carrier.
A lot of custom builders offer great flexibility in selecting an air conditioner or furnace. Hybrid heat technology is a popular choice. It allows the system to choose the most efficient fuel source for certain conditions, and then switch between different fuel sources when conditions change. Carrier’s Hybrid Heat Dual Fuel System is so efficient that it costs less to heat than any gas furnace.
– Existing homes. The home inspector cannot audit the HVAC system of a house. Qualified contractors can inspect your home and find areas that are not energy-efficient. A qualified contractor can also provide information about the system’s efficiency, and whether it is worth negotiating an upgrade as part of your purchase offer. In 2010, for example, manufacturers won’t be allowed to make units that use R-22 (Freon). Therefore, it is important to ask if a system can be used with Puron-refrigerant.
Ask for copies of utility bills from the seller to determine what your energy costs may be. Finally, inquire with your local utility company to see if they have any energy-savings plans.
Carrier brings these tips to you. You can find more information on cooling and heating systems at home by visiting Carrier. www.carrier.comClick on the “home”Click here
