There’s a lot to consider when selling your home: Cleaning, painting, scrubbing, and fixing up the place will most likely be on the top of your to-do list. While most people concern themselves with the exterior of the house to garner curb appeal, there are other important factors to consider, like your HVAC system; potential buyers may not want to buy a home with a faulty or rundown HVAC unit.
This can create a dilemma: Should you get a new air conditioning unit before you sell your home?
Schedule HVAC Maintenance
There’s no definitive answer to how long HVAC systems will last, but the average life expectancy for a new air conditioner is between 15-20 years, whereas an older system may last around 10-12. Keep in mind that the efficiency of your HVAC system will depend on several factors, including how often you’ve kept up on its maintenance.
Schedule an appointment with an HVAC technician so you can have your cooling and heating system inspected before selling your house. During the inspection, the technician will assess the health of your system to determine whether any repairs need to be made.
Along with maintenance, you may want to consider getting an air duct cleaning if that’s something you haven’t been staying on top of. A technician can examine the condition of your ducts; they can often get dirty and form mold or mildew. Keeping your ducts clean will also produce a much cleaner and more effective airflow throughout the home.
Make Repairs
If your technician has found that HVAC repairs need to be made, you might want to schedule them before meeting with a real estate agent. Repairing your AC unit is important in case any dangerous issues come up, such as a refrigerant leak.
The most common issues that homeowners deal with regarding their AC include:
- A weak airflow
- Dirty AC filters
- Damaged compressor
- Frozen evaporator coil
- Malfunctioning thermostat
- Circuit breaker tripping
- AC fan failure
- General wear and tear of mechanical parts
Replacing Your HVAC
Knowing whether to replace your air conditioning unit will depend on how it’s functioning and what your budget is like. If you plan on selling your home, spending more money on a new unit may not be the best idea for your wallet. If you simply can’t afford a new system, some maintenance on your HVAC will ensure it’s in good shape before the home goes on the market. If your system is on the older side but well maintained, some prospective buyers might not mind.
It’s important to note that the installation of newer heating and cooling systems can boost your home’s value. If your house isn’t capable of keeping buyers comfortable during humid summers or cold winters, it could make your home a less desirable purchase. In addition, buyers may not want to purchase a home with an old system that they’ll have to repair. You might consider replacing your HVAC to up the value of your home and make it more attractive to buyers.
Consider taking a look at ads for other houses for sale in your area. If HVAC units are being advertised in the listing, you may want to consider that inclusion as well when selling. However, if you aren’t seeing much about new air conditioning systems in the ads, you might be able to get away without a replacement. On the other hand, if you do include advertising a new HVAC unit in your listing, it might get more attention.
In the end, it’s truly up to you and what makes the most sense for your financial situation.
Tips for Picking a New HVAC System
If you decide to move forward with installing a new HVAC unit, you should research what system will offer the most value and benefits for new buyers.
Here are some tips to consider:
- Energy Efficiency: Many people that are looking to purchase a new home are trying to save money, especially on heating and cooling costs. If your unit is energy efficient, it can save money in the long run, as well as add more value to your home.
- Go Green: In addition to energy efficiency, marketing the low-environmental impact of your HVAC system may draw in more buyers.
- Choose the Right Size: It’s important to know your home’s square footage when it comes to installing new HVAC systems. If the unit is too small, there will be difficulty maintaining a comfortable temperature throughout the house. If it’s too big, you’ll be wasting money on energy and equipment.
- Simplicity: Sometimes, a simple and efficient option is a good choice, as possible buyers may not want to worry about maintaining something too complex.
The entire process of maintaining your HVAC unit can be stressful, but you can rely on trustworthy AC repair in San Marcos. Call Comfort Crew for whatever troubles you may have with your system. Our trained technicians will be there to assist in getting your heating and cooling unit into top shape again.
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