Getting to Know HVAC Inspection: An Insider's Perspective

When purchasing a property, it would be wise to pay for both a home inspection and an HVAC assessment from a professional.

The question is, what is HVAC inspection? In general, a comprehensive examination and evaluation of every element involved in heating and cooling your house constitutes a full HVAC inspection.

Continue reading to find out more about HVAC inspections, including what they entail and what to look for in a candidate.

What Does HVAC Stand for?

HVAC is an acronym for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning.

It describes the systems that control the flow of heated and cooled air through residential and commercial structures, including stadiums that are inside.

What Is an HVAC Inspection?

An HVAC inspection entails a comprehensive assessment of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system to guarantee optimal and efficient operation.

A qualified specialist will examine every part of the HVAC system, such as the thermostat, ductwork, air conditioner, furnace, and filters, during an inspection.

The technician will search for any indications of deterioration, leaks, obstructions, or other problems that could impact the system's functionality.

Signs That Indicate You Need an HVAC Inspection

The following are some indicators that your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system may require an HVAC inspection:

• Variable Temperatures
• Inefficient Cooling or Heating
• Unexpected Energy Cost Increase
• Accumulation of dust
• Musty Scents
• Swelling of Allergies or Respiratory Problems
• Sounds that bang, screech, or grind
• Your System's Age: The average lifespan of an HVAC system is ten to fifteen years. The importance of preventative maintenance and inspection increases if your system is getting close to or past this age.
• Inadequate Upkeep
• Brief Cycling With Evident Leaks

Components Checked During HVAC Inspections

An experienced technician will usually examine a wide range of parts during a full HVAC inspection in order to evaluate the general condition and functionality of your heating and cooling system.

Below is an outline of the main topics they will concentrate on:

Furnace

• Heat Rise Test: The technician will determine how well the furnace heats the air.
• Pilot Light or Hot Surface Igniter: To guarantee that the burners are ignited properly, they will test the operation of the pilot light (in older furnaces) or the hot surface igniter (in newer furnaces).
• Safety switches and flame roll-out mechanisms: The technician will check these components to make sure they operate properly and turn off the gas supply in the event of a malfunction or inappropriate flame state.
• Checking for combustion gas leaks is an important safety measure: To find any leaks of carbon monoxide (CO) or other combustion gasses from the furnace heat exchanger, the technician will utilize specialist equipment.
• Flue Pipe and Draft Diverter: The technician will check for obstructions, leaks, or corrosion in the flue pipe that vents combustion gasses outside of your house.
• Burners: The technician will check for wear or clogging as well as appropriate operation in the gas burners.
• The technician will evaluate the state of the blower motor and fan assembly, which are responsible for distributing hot air throughout your house.

Air Conditioner

• Visual Inspection: The condenser unit will first undergo a comprehensive visual inspection by the specialist.
• Cleaning of the Coil: A filthy, fin-covered condenser coil can drastically lower cooling efficiency.
• Fan Blade Inspection: To ensure proper airflow, the technician will check the condenser fan blade for any damage or warping.
• Refrigerant Lines: The technician will visually check for leaks, damage, or corrosion in the refrigerant lines connecting the condenser and evaporator coils.
• Access and examination: The technician may need to get access to the evaporator coil for examination, even though it is normally found inside the air handler unit that is linked to the furnace.
• Drain System: The drain pan and condensate drain line, which gather and eliminate moisture from the evaporator coil, will be examined by the expert.

Thermostat

• Temperature correctness: To confirm the correctness of the thermostat's temperature reading, the technician would probably check it with a real thermometer.
• System Compatibility: They may examine if your air conditioner and furnace are compatible with your thermostat.
• Programming and Settings Review (if applicable): If your thermostat is programmable, the technician may go over your programmed settings to make sure they maximize energy efficiency and match your comfort preferences.
• Battery Check (Battery-Powered Thermostats): The technician will examine the state of the batteries in thermostats that run on batteries and replace them as needed.
• Visual Inspection: The technician will visually evaluate the thermostat to look for any indications of physical damage, such as loose buttons, cracked screens, or broken displays.

Ductwork

• Accessible Duct Sections: Any exposed duct sections in your crawlspace, attic, basement, or next to vents will be visually inspected by the expert.
• Signs of Mold development
• Ultrasonic Detectors or Smoke Pencils (Advanced Inspections): During some inspections, personnel may utilize specialist instruments such as ultrasonic detectors or smoke pencils to find leaks in duct sections that are difficult to access.
• Airflow Balancing (Advanced Inspections): During thorough inspections, professionals may gauge airflow via your house's numerous supply and return vents.

Ventilation System

• Exhaust Fans and Vents: To make sure exhaust fans in laundry rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms are operating correctly and effectively venting air outside, the technician will visually examine them.
• Balanced Ventilation Systems (Air Intake Vents): The expert will examine the air intake vents in residences that have these systems, which let in outside air.

For more information about the ventilation system inspection, click here.

Heat Exchanger

• Primary Method: The heat exchanger will be visually inspected by the technician to check for cracks, holes, corrosion, or other damage indicators.
• Mirrors (Selective): The technician may utilize small, long-handled mirrors to provide a more thorough check-in of regions that are difficult to see in or in cramped locations.
• The detection of carbon monoxide (CO) is an essential safety measure.
• Hidden fractures: Although visual examination is important, it may miss tiny flaws or hairline fractures in the heat exchanger.
• Internal Damage: The heat exchanger's exposed external surfaces are usually the main focus of the examination.

Evaporator Coil

• Visual check: As soon as the evaporator coil is reachable, the technician will conduct a comprehensive visual check.
• The buildup of dirt: The cooling effectiveness of an unclean evaporator coil can be greatly diminished.
• Ice Accumulation: The accumulation of ice on the evaporator coil may be a sign of a number of problems, including low refrigerant levels, restricted airflow, or a broken system component.
• Physical Damage: The technician will look for any indications of corrosion, bent fins, or leaks in the coil.

Condenser Coil

• Finding the Coil: Your air conditioning system's outside unit usually houses the condenser coil. The specialist will identify the device and guarantee secure entry for examination.
• Cleaning Suggestions
• Aligning Bent Fins (Optional): To restore airflow, the technician may use a fin comb to gently straighten the fins if there is only slight bending.
• Visual Inspection of Refrigerant Lines: The technician may check for leaks, damage, or corrosion in the refrigerant lines that link the condenser and evaporator coils.
• Fan Blade Inspection: To ensure proper airflow, the technician will check the condenser fan blade for any damage or warping.

Air Filter

• Finding the Filter: The HVAC system's air filter will be the first thing the technician looks for. Usually, air filters are located in easily accessible areas like:
• Dirt Buildup: A typical problem is an obstructed air filter. Airflow can be impeded by an accumulation of dirt, dust, allergies, and other airborne particles on the filter.
• Indications of Wear or Damage: They will examine the filter material for rips tears, or sagging, since these can also impede airflow and lessen efficacy.

How Long Does an HVAC Inspection Take?

An HVAC check can take anywhere from one to three hours, depending on the system's complexity and size. A bigger or multi-system home may require a longer examination time.

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A number of factors can affect how long an HVAC check takes, such as:

• Size of the house
• Number of systems
• Equipment accessibility: The inspection process might take longer if it is difficult to reach the HVAC equipment.
• Inspector's thoroughness: Some inspectors could need more time to carry out a more in-depth examination.

How Often Should You Check Your HVAC System?

It is recommended by experts to have an annual inspection and servicing of your HVAC system, preferably before the onset of each main season (fall for heating and spring for cooling).

This promotes peak performance, guards against malfunctions, and spots possible problems early.

Consider planning more regular maintenance, including coil cleaning and filter replacements, every one to two months during periods of high consumption in addition to yearly inspections. This can increase performance and lengthen the system's life.

With age, your HVAC system may require more frequent checkups. More regular maintenance may be necessary for older systems to handle any wear and tear.

Common Issues Detected During HVAC Inspections

Many problems that might impact the comfort level, indoor air quality, and efficiency of your system can be found by professionals during an HVAC check.

Below is a summary of some of the most typical issues that technicians deal with:

• Unclean or clogged Parts
• Problems with the Thermostat
• Leaks in the Ducts
• Low Levels of Refrigerant
• Component Damage or Dirty Wear and Tear Blower
• Broken Heat Exchanger Not Working Electrical Parts
• Inadequate System Sizing Blocked Grilles or Vents

Conclusion: Maintaining Your HVAC System with Professional Inspections

Inspecting the HVAC system plays a crucial role in maintaining your desired atmosphere at home.

Of course, you should get it done by professional inspectors. Although we have explained the HVAC inspection checklist in this post, some of the HVAC system issues are found just by the professionals.