If I’m buying a house, how can I make sure that the cooling system is in good working order?
Just turn on the system and listen for unusual sounds while feeling how cool the air is and how strong the airflow is from the vents. Don’t just listen inside the house – go outside and listen to the condensing unit, too. This personal inspection is a good indicator, but like buying a car, the best way is too then hire an expert (the contractor) to come out and inspect the system. It won’t cost much, and it could save you lots of money in unanticipated repairs.