Whether you’re trying to uncover potential problems in the HVAC system of a home you’re looking to buy or you simply want to keep your current heating system operating at its best, you’re going to need an inspection for your gas- or oil-fired furnace sooner or later.
The question is, what goes into a good furnace and heating system inspection? Let’s take a closer look.
What gets inspected?
A comprehensive furnace and heating system inspection will include a detailed look at each of the following components:
Heat exchanger – If your furnace’s heat exchanger is dirty or performing poorly, your overall system will operate less efficiently than it should, resulting in higher bills. Sometimes, a heat exchanger can simply be cleaned, but it can also crack or fail; this is an extremely serious problem that must be dealt with immediately, since a cracked heat exchanger can cause a potentially deadly build-up of carbon monoxide inside your home (this is one of the many things that makes an annual inspection for your heating system so important).
Internal areas – Soot build-up inside your furnace can also rob your system of efficiency. If your technician finds soot build-up, he will conduct a nozzle inspection; if the nozzles are dirty, he will replace them.
Air filters – Clogged air filters can not only lead to poor efficiency, they can also lead to system failure if left untreated. During your inspection, the HVAC technician will see if your filters should be cleaned or replaced.
Furnace and thermostat – By running your heating system, your technician will make sure your thermostat and furnace are operating in sync. Your technician will also test flue gas samples to measure combustion efficiency, oxygen and smoke content, and the temperature of your system’s emissions.
Burners, switches, blower motors, and fan belts – Your heating inspection should also include a check and cleaning of all burners, switches, blower motors, and fan belts.
Issues frequently uncovered during an inspection
While each inspection will uncover different issues, some problems occur more often than others. Some of the more commonly revealed inspection issues include:
Clogged air filters
Dirty nozzles
Excessive wear and tear
Electrical ignition / pilot control problems
Frequent cycling
A faulty thermostat
A noisy furnace
A blower that will not shut off
Insufficient or no heat generated
Parts that often need to be replaced
Some parts in your heating system are more prone to wear and tear than others. Among the more commonly replaced parts in your heating system are:
Air filters
Nozzles
Thermocouple
Limit switch
Belts
Ductwork (may need to be redesigned)
Coils
Exchangers
Compressors
Drain Lines
Valves
Fan Motors
Fuses
Ventilation System
As you can see, there’s a lot going on in your forced-air heating system – which is why it pays to invest in an annual P. Gagnon & Son Service Plan. Our technicians inspect these components and more to make sure you’re getting the performance you need now and in the months and years to come.
Spring is one of the best times to get your annual heating system service out of the way. Contact us to sign up for service visit today!
