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Unless you establish your home inspection career in the Brazilian rain forest, odds are you'll inspect a variety of heating systems over your career. This week we'll take a look at forced air heating systems, which by far are one of the most popular forms of central heating in America.
Forced hot air is a loop system, where cool air is drawn down to the basement through a system of ductwork. There, it is taken into a furnace (operating on fuels like oil, electricity, or gas) and then heated over hot coils. This heated air is then recirculated through the house, until the desired air temperature is established in each room. Don't worry if this is all new: becoming a home inspector means that you'll study about forced hot air in your home inspection training course.
A certified home inspector's first task is to identify the furnace fuel. A few possibilities were mentioned above, although wood and coal are also common. After that, it's important to begin with the basics: turn the thermostat down and see if the furnace clicks on. Once it's on, check the furnace's flame (blue is ideal, beware of yellow) and then listen carefully for the hum of a smooth fan sound. A comprehensive home inspection job will also include a review of ducts, to make sure they are properly attached.
Other important areas to inspect are:
- exterior of the furnace cabinet (look for rust spots)
- filter
- vent pipe
- damper doors
- age of the unit
- limit controls
As with inspecting any other part of the house, a certified home inspector shouldn't abandon common sense as he goes through his checklist. When it comes to dealing with fuels, your sense of smell will often identify potential hazards. If you smell gas, for example, you may have to deviate from your normal inspection routine, and investigate the issue further. As with any type of heating system, you're dealing with a complex set of operations, so there is no substitute for hitting the books and getting to know the details; this is when you fall back on instruction from your home inspection course.
The best way, therefore, to get the job done is to rely on your home inspection training, head down into the cool of the basement and discover that a career in home inspection teaches you how to take the heat.
Labels: career in home inspection, home inspection career, home inspection training, licensed home inspector
