A professional inspection is a key to keeping your gas- or oil-fired furnace healthy, and whether you want to unearth potential problems in a new home you’re eyeing or simply want to keep your current system in top shape, you’re going to need one sooner or later.
But what goes into a good furnace and heating system inspection? Let’s take a closer look.
Inspected components
A complete, professional furnace and heating system inspection will include a detailed look at each of the following components:
Heat exchanger – A heat exchanger is a device that enables the transfer of heat from a solid object to a fluid, or from one fluid to another, without the two actually touching. If your heat exchanger is performing poorly, your system will generate less heat and perform less efficiently than it should, resulting in higher bills. Sometimes, a heat exchanger can simply be cleaned; a failed or cracked heat exchanger, however, can be extremely dangerous, since it can cause a 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 – Another problem that can rob your furnace of efficiency is soot build-up in the interior areas of your heating system. 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 are another potential contributor to poor efficiency. Over time, air filter blockage can even lead to system failure. During your inspection, the HVAC technician will see if your filters should be cleaned or replaced.
Furnace and thermostat – Test-starting your heating system will make sure your thermostat and furnace are operating in sync. Your technician will also collect flue gas samples to test your system’s efficiency, along with the oxygen, smoke content, and temperature of its emissions.
Burners, switches, blower motors, and fan belts – Your heating inspection should also include a cleaning of all burners, switches, and blower motors, and a check of fan belts for any signs of cracking or breakage.
Common Issues uncovered during an inspection
While each inspection will uncover different issues, there are some problems that occur more often than others. Some of the more common 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
Commonly replaced parts
Some parts in your heating system are more prone to wear and tear than others, and replacing them will help your furnace last longer and run more efficiently. Some of the more commonly replaced parts in your heating system include:
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 Bottini Service Plan. Our technicians examine all of these components and more to make sure you’re getting the performance you need month after month, year after year.
Spring is one of the best times to get your annual heating system service out of the way – or to get your air conditioning service underway. Contact us to sign up for either today!
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