HVAC Inspection: Essential Steps for Homeowners

How Often Should Homeowners Inspect Their HVAC Systems?

You can think of your HVAC system as the lungs of your home. Beyond keeping your home at a comfortable temperature, your HVAC system ensures adequate ventilation and maintains healthy air quality.

You don’t need to be too fussy with your HVAC equipment, but you should periodically check on the system’s component parts and appliances to keep tabs on their overall health. If you’re able to diagnose mechanical issues or problems with your ductwork early on, you can often prevent disruptive HVAC malfunctions and avoid costly repair bills.

It’s best to perform an HVAC inspection twice annually. Ideally, a professional HVAC technician will check your system once in the spring and once in the fall. This will ensure your system is in good shape ahead of the heating and cooling seasons, which are when you tend to demand the most from your HVAC appliances.

You can also perform more frequent DIY inspections. Spot-check your HVAC appliances every three months for obvious signs of damage, mold, and wear and tear. Replace the air filters, wipe dust from the registers, and ensure vents are free of any obstructions.

Note that if you’re building a new home or replacing your existing HVAC system, many cities require an HVAC inspection after installation to ensure all components are working properly and the system is up to code.

Pre-Inspection Checklist: Preparing Your Home and System

Ahead of your scheduled inspection, take a few moments to prepare your home and HVAC system to help expedite the check-up. Follow this HVAC inspection checklist:

1. Write down questions or concerns.To ensure nothing gets overlooked during your inspection, jot down any issues you may have noticed during your DIY inspections or day-to-day use of your heating, air conditioning, or HVAC fans.

2. Clear the area around your HVAC equipment.Ensure your HVAC tech has easy access to your appliances. Remove any boxes or other belongings that may be blocking equipment in the basement, attic, or crawl space. If your HVAC system has an outdoor unit, brush away any debris.

3. Gather appliance documentation and service logs.It will be helpful for your HVAC technician to see the records of your system’s service. This can better inform diagnostics, troubleshooting, and whether any parts need to be serviced, cleaned, or replaced.

4. Get simple maintenance tasks out of the way.You could save a bit of time on your inspection by taking care of some basic maintenance jobs ahead of time. Clean or replace any air filters, check whether the thermostat batteries need to be replaced, and dust vents, registers, and evaporator coils. Getting the basics out of the way will help you and your HVAC tech make the most out of your inspection time.

Step-by-Step Guide: Inspecting Your HVAC System

The most common type of HVAC system in American homes is the standard split system. A thorough inspection entails checking the overall system for proper functionality and studying the ductwork, heating and cooling units, and other component parts for signs of wear and tear or other kinds of damage. Here are the specifics of how an HVAC technician will carry out a proper inspection.

1. Check thermostat functionality The thermostat governs your HVAC system and must be in working order. Your tech will ensure that the system appropriately responds to thermostat inputs and will recalibrate the thermostat if necessary. 
    
2. Examine the furnace cabinet, exhaust vents, and heat exchanger The furnace cabinet is the appliance’s protective housing. If the cabinet is damaged, the furnace’s internal component parts are at risk. HVAC techs will examine the housing for any cracks, corrosion, and other signs of damage.They will also confirm that the furnace’s heat exchanger isn’t damaged and that exhaust vents aren’t blocked. Cracked exchangers and blocked vents can result in inefficient heating and carbon monoxide leaks. 
    
3. Inspect the igniter Old heating systems used pilot lights to ignite gas burners, but modern equipment uses electrical igniters. A pro will confirm that your furnace igniter is functional and reliable by testing it with a multimeter. 
    
4. Test for carbon monoxide Carbon monoxide, a potentially deadly byproduct of combustion, is a tasteless, odorless, and colorless gas. An inspection of your HVAC system will involve testing for carbon monoxide to ensure your home is safe. Of course, you should install and properly maintain carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home as well. 
    
5. Look for gas leaks During an inspection, HVAC technicians can check all valves, gaskets, and fittings to ensure that your heating system is airtight and not allowing trace amounts of gas to escape. 
    
6. Inspect air conditioner drainage pans and condensation lines After checking your home’s heating equipment, your technician will examine the cooling equipment. Checking the drainage pans and condensation lines is an important step in a home HVAC mold inspection. 
    
7. Check evaporator coils An inspection of the evaporator coils can give insight into the health of an air conditioning system. Coils that are choked with ice are usually symptomatic of another problem, such as a refrigerant leak. The coils should also be free of dust to help facilitate adequate cooling. 
    
8. Checking refrigerant levels Your HVAC tech may check your air conditioner’s refrigerant levels to ensure there are no leaks. 
    
9. Examine the blower motor and wheel The blower motor powers the blower wheel, which is essentially a powerful fan that pushes the HVAC system’s heated or cooled air through the ductwork. The pros can examine the motor and blower wheel for any signs that a malfunction may be on the horizon. 
    
10.  Check all electrical components  Typical inspections will involve checking wiring and electrical components for signs of damage. 
     
11.  Assess air quality An inspection of your HVAC system may also include an air quality assessment. Various devices can measure humidity, temperature, air pressure, and levels of particulate matter, radon, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, mold spores, and more. 
     
12.  Inspect ductwork. Finally, your HVAC tech may perform a walkthrough to visually inspect all exposed ductwork for any tears, cracks, loose fittings, rust, or mold.

Identifying Common HVAC Problems During Inspection

Whether you’re shadowing a professional HVAC technician or checking up on your system on your own, you should keep an eye out for some common problems that could point to a faulty component somewhere within the system.

• Weak or inconsistent airflow Poor airflow while your HVAC system is engaged could suggest a problem with your blower motor or leaky ducts. 
   
• Unusual odors Be mindful of strange smells emanating from your registers or around your HVAC appliances. Musty odors point to mold or mildew. Burning smells could mean an overtaxed motor or faulty electrical equipment. Other foul smells could suggest a pest infestation. 
   
• Short cycling Short cycling refers to your HVAC system turning on and off frequently. It can result from various equipment malfunctions. Your HVAC technician can help you troubleshoot. 
   
• Leaks, drips, or condensation Excess condensation may mean your home humidity levels are too high. More concerning is leaking refrigerant from your cooling appliances. 
   
• Strange noises During your inspection, listen for any sounds that seem atypical as these can suggest mechanical problems.

When to Hire a Professional HVAC Inspector

You can monitor your HVAC system’s general health and perform some basic maintenance tasks periodically, but you should hire a professional to conduct a thorough inspection twice per year. You should also enlist the help of the pros when:

• You suspect a safety issue, such as an electrical problem or gas leak.
• You encounter persistent performance issues, such as inadequate heating or cooling, weak airflow, or strange noise or odors.
• You buy or sell your home.
• You replace any major HVAC appliances.
  
  

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