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Welcome to Austin, Texas! You’re about to enjoy a city with incredible food, live music, and year-round sunshine. When you move in, there are many things to look for, and one of them is evaluating your new HVAC system.
Let’s transport you to a mid-August move. The Texas sun is high and hot overhead, and your new air conditioning calls it quits the day after you move in. That’s not a good time for anyone, and it can make for a few really uncomfortable days.
You’re excited to start your new adventure in Austin, and you’ve found the perfect place in the perfect neighborhood. But you didn’t think about checking the HVAC system closely. When your AC breaks down in August, you and your family are left sweating it out. The culprit? An old system that should have been fixed before move-in.
This could have been prevented if you had evaluated your HVAC system before moving. Chances are, you didn’t know how—but we’re here to help.
1. Start with a Visual Inspection
First impressions say a lot. Before you call a professional, take a look at the HVAC unit and inspect it closely. Is it rusted, leaking, or showing signs of age? These can all be red flags.
A visual inspection can save you huge headaches later on. In this scenario, your AC had rust streaks down the side and a leak. Those were all signs that the AC was on its last leg.
💡 Pro Tip from To the T: A visual inspection is helpful, but not all problems are visible to the untrained eye. Even a clean-looking system may have underlying issues.
2. Check the Age of the System
Most HVAC systems have a lifespan of 10–15 years. If the system in your home is close to that age—or older—you may need to budget for a replacement. Look for a data plate or sticker on the unit that shows the manufacture date.
In this case, the system was 18 years old and well past its prime. A quick check would have revealed it was nearing the end of its lifespan.
3. Test the Thermostat and Airflow
Test the system during the inspection process for your new home. Adjust the thermostat and see how quickly the temperature changes. Walk around the house and make sure air is flowing through every vent.
Your first clue might have been uneven cooling in the home. The living room felt like an icebox, but the bedroom was sweltering. This was a sign of poor airflow and ductwork issues, which could—and should—have been fixed before closing on the house.
4. Ask for Maintenance Records
A well-maintained HVAC system lasts longer and performs better. Ask the seller for maintenance records to see what services the system has had and whether it’s had regular tune-ups. These records can also show if repairs were done recently and what might be overdue.
In this case, forgetting to ask for the records resulted in a broken AC unit. Your unit hadn’t been serviced in years, which caused a buildup of debris and led to some costly repairs.
💡 Pro Tip: If there are no maintenance or service records, schedule an inspection with an HVAC professional to get a clear picture of the system’s condition. Do this before closing.
5. Don’t Skip the Professional Inspection
No matter what, hire a licensed HVAC professional to inspect the system before closing on the house. They’ll check things like the compressor, coils, and refrigerant levels—things you probably wouldn’t notice on your own.
At To the T, we’ve seen it all—cracked heat exchangers, dangerously outdated wiring, and the oldest HVAC units in Texas. An inspection from us could save you thousands and prevent you from dealing with a broken system in the middle of summer.
Moving to Austin is a new chapter for you and your family. It shouldn’t be stressful. Knowing how to inspect your HVAC system and when to call a professional means you can start enjoying your new home right away.
At To the T, we’re here to help. We can inspect your system, install a new one, or give it a tune-up. We’ll make sure everything is in great shape so you can start exploring your new home in Austin.