Heating Systems Inspection
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC), each year roughly 15,000 Americans suffer from carbon monoxide exposure in their homes. The leading cause of a carbon monoxide poisoning is an improper heating system, however thousands of Americans skip the necessary preventative maintenance.
Fortunately, a home heating inspection is a great and easy solution. A home heating inspection will not only prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, but it will also keep your heating system running more efficiently, as an improperly serviced heating system can be only half as effective. Moreover, by making sure your home heating system is properly serviced you can also make significant cost savings on your heating bills throughout the winter.
There are numerous heating systems available on the market, however the two most popular ones are forced air furnaces and hot water or boiler systems. Your annual home heating inspection is better left to a qualified technician to reduce the risk of injuries, but there are a few things you can do yourself.
How to Perform a Basic Home Heating Inspection
One of the easiest ways to keep your furnace running efficiently is to change all filters regularly, as a dirty filter can cause strain on your furnace, raise heating bills and decrease the life span of your unit. However, make sure the filter is appropriate for the furnace in your home because if it is too small it will not allow for an adequate return airflow. In addition, monitor your thermostat and if you do not have an automatic one, make sure to keep its batteries fresh.
A furnace that heats an empty house continuously decreases its life span and raises energy bills. Also, manually check all vent registers each month to make sure there are no items (toys, furniture or others) obstructing their flow. Once you have covered these basics, leave the rest to a qualified and licensed heating technician to handle the technical aspects of your home heating inspection.
A professional technician will perform a complete home heating inspection and tune up on your furnace in order to ensure it is running efficiently. The technician will begin your home heating inspection by going through the following:
- a visual inspection of the venting system, examination of all seals, ducts and joints for leaks
- an inspection of the blower, checking for obstructions and possible lubrication
- an examination of the inside chamber of the furnace, checking for rust and holes
- thorough cleaning of all burners, sensors and pilots to enable these devices to operate efficiently
- check the “high limit” on the heating system to prevent the possibility of over-heating
- perform a final safety test - carbon monoxide test
In addition, a thorough home heating inspection will also examine any outdoor heating systems as well, not just the indoor ones. The chimney and flue will be checked for obstructions and soot build-up, as excess soot is dangerous and can cause a range of problems, including chimney fires, flue deterioration and re-funneling of dangerous gases back into your home. To stay warm throughout the winter, make energy savings and lower your heating cost, while also ensuring the safety your family against the dangerous side-effects of carbon monoxide poisoning, do not ignore the recommended annual home heating inspection.
The Importance of an Annual Home Heating Inspection - Carbon Monoxide Warning
If your water heater or furnace is a gas-burning appliance, HVAC experts recommend an annual home heating inspection, performed by a licensed and certified heating contractor. As many as 80 people die in their homes each year due to excess levels of carbon monoxide generated by faulty furnaces and water heaters
If your furnace or water heater is a gas-burning appliance, HVAC experts recommend that you have it inspected by a licensed and certified heating contractor each and every year. Why is this so important? The fact is that over 80 people die in their homes on an annual basis due to excess levels of carbon monoxide generated by faulty furnaces and water heaters. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, tasteless gas, and is undetectable without specialized equipment or detectors. During the winter months, most people keep their windows closed, but too much carbon monoxide (CO) trapped in unventilated areas can quickly lead to symptoms such as:
- persistent and severe headaches
- a general feeling of weakness
- nausea, vomiting
- symptoms that lessen markedly when an afflicted person breathes in fresh air
Carbon monoxide poisoning is extremely dangerous, because it exerts its influence exceedingly fast and may result in serious injury or even death before anyone realizes something is wrong.
An Annual Home Heating Inspection Involves:
A licensed and certified heating contractor will have the credentials, experience and knowledge to handle your annual home heating inspection, looking for certain problems and correct them if necessary. An annual home heating inspection should include:
- inspecting the inside and outside of a vent pipe, inspecting the stack
- checking safety controls for the exhaust system and other safety controls
- examine and service the heat exchanger
- cleaning fan wheels and ensuring they are in proper working order
- replacing air filter for forced-air systems
An annual home heating inspection performed by a licensed and certified inspector is essential to ensure at least basics risk management, learn about what mistakes to avoid with a common heating system, check for boiler operating problems and ensure the heating system inspection procedure is closely followed. It will provide you with a safety hazards guide, the heat loss detection tools will allow for a proper examination of the heating system and electrical heaters’ condition, control valves, provide a chimney inspection, lower the heating cost and allow for energy savings.