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North
American homes are generally centrally-heated. Today's efficient heating
systems produce more warmth for less money. However, the
"system" itself is not the only requirement for comfortable
air quality in the home, as proper ventilation is also a key to comfort.
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A visual inspection
will evaluate the existing condition and serviceability of the following
points:
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TYPE:
forced air, water radiant, electric, convection, fan coil, heat lamp
etc. |
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LOCATION:
basement, crawl space, garage, furnace room etc. |
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MAIN
FUEL SHUT-OFF LOCATION:
front, rear etc., rusty, shifted, loose etc. |
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FUEL
TYPE: natural
gas, oil, propane, solid, heat pump etc. |
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BURNERS:
sooty / charred, rust flakes, unusual flame, damage, short cycling,
scorched facing / wiring, failure possibility |
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VENTING:
the proper pipe clearances, any loose ducts or duct tape,
the existence of blockage, the existence of back venting,
improper vent rising,
no venting, asbestos like material, any rust observed |
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PLENUM:
leaking, rust flakes, the use of asbestos-like material, rusted duct slab,
any loose or disconnected ducts, proper duct supports |
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FAN /
PUMPS: the filter status, the fan or pump cycle duration e.g. short cycling,
the adequacy of air flow, the status of drive belts, the detection of any
unusual noise during operation |
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COMBUSTION
AIR: the
condition or status of the air supply |
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HYDRONIC SYSTEMS: the radiator condition including damage to fins or other
obvious damage that may impede the otherwise efficient operation of the
unit., the condition of unit valves, the condition of important bleed
and relief valves, the existence of any obvious rust or corrosion, the
detection of any unusual system noises associated with the unit in
operation, the condition and/or type of of related piping in use (such
as copper, gray plastic, or oxygen barrier), the existence/functionality
of related pressure gauges |
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ELECTRIC
BASEBOARDS: the
condition or existence of wall thermostats, that proper clearances
are adhered to, any missing/damaged unit covers, the existence /
functionality
of unit thermostats, the system operation status, the existence of
rusting or corrosion |
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CONTROLS:
condition and location of thermostats,
existence of main furnace shut-off switch, existence and functionality of the
summer fan switch, existence and operation of smoke detectors, the response
of operation controls, the functionality of any ignition systems, accessibility
of any gas shut-off valves, |
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GENERAL:
Any obvious immediate
condition that may appear to impede efficiency,
cause premature failure, or pose a health or safety risk.
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NOTE:
If any point of a regular inspection is
concealed, or not accessible to the inspector it will not be included in
the inspection.
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