Buying a house is stressful enough without discovering that one of the biggest systems in the home is missing.
In the r/RealEstate subreddit, one homeowner thought they were planning an upgrade for later but ended up pricing out a five-figure emergency fix. According to the post, the buyer said the central AC worked great during the inspection, and the home inspector stated the unit had a heat pump, though it was "outdated" and beyond its expected lifespan.
The buyer decided to proceed with closing and even discussed eventually removing the home's old electric baseboard heaters since central heating should handle the job.
Then the temperature dropped. When the homeowner couldn't get the heat to kick on, they called an HVAC technician. The technician opened up the system and reported there was no heat pump at all. The estimate to add a heat pump came in around $10,000 to $12,000, plus another $2,000 to $3,000 to upgrade the electrical line.
"Do I have a case against the inspection company? I would not have purchased the house if the inspector had [stated] there was no central heating. I love the house, but this totally changes my plan for this house," they wrote.
Commenters on the Reddit thread largely responded with a mix of sympathy and practical advice.
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"I think at the minimum, even if you decide against pursuing the inspector, you should get a second quote on this," one commenter wrote. "Depending on the age of the system, it might just be cheaper to replace it with a modern heat pump vs. trying to add one to it."
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"Let us all learn from your experience. Assume nothing works until it is tested," another prudent commenter added. "In hindsight, it should be a standard check and would validate a working AC system."
If you've never had to think about home heating systems before, you're not alone. Most people don't learn the difference between a heat pump and baseboard heaters until something breaks or the bills start climbing.
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$200 or more 💰 However, the difference can hit your wallet quickly. Heat pumps are generally far more efficient than older electric resistance heating, meaning you can often heat your home for less. That makes them a key upgrade if you're trying to lower monthly costs and reduce your exposure to unpredictable utility rates.
Smart upgrades that slash monthly energy bills
Now, there are ways to explore HVAC upgrades without feeling like you have to drop $12,000 overnight. Here are a few tools and options that can help you compare systems, reduce up-front costs, and find efficient upgrades that lower your monthly bills:
• Mitsubishi can help you find efficient heating and cooling solutions for your home and connect you with trusted installers
• Not ready to spend up front? Palmetto's $0-down HVAC leasing program can lower your energy costs by up to 50%
• TCD's HVAC Explorer makes it easy to access exclusive offers from preferred partners
If you're a homeowner who suddenly finds yourself needing an expensive HVAC installation on short notice, Palmetto's Comfort Plan is one option worth looking at. It offers efficient systems for no money down on a subscription model, which can be a lifeline when you don't have $10,000 sitting around. Palmetto's HVAC leases can start as low as $99/month and include 12 years of free maintenance.
If you want to go a step further, pairing solar panels with electric appliances, such as efficient HVAC systems, can drive your utility costs even lower. TCD's Solar Explorer makes it easier to find the best solar setup for your home and budget, and it can help you save up to $10,000 on installations.
Finally, if you like the idea of getting rewarded for lowering your home energy use, the free Palmetto Home app makes it easy to unlock up to $5,000 in rewards to spend on home upgrades by completing challenges such as cutting down on your home energy use.
Get TCD's free newsletters for easy tips to save more, waste less, and make smarter choices — and earn up to $5,000 toward clean upgrades in TCD's exclusive Rewards Club.
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