Heating System Inspection
Cold weather is on its way. That means it is time to get your heating system inspected.
Many of our customers ask us if a heating inspection is important. If their heating system was working well last year, they feel like they should be able to just turn it on as soon as the cold weather starts. While you can take your chances and do that, we do recommend a heating inspection at the start of the season.
The purpose of a heating system inspection is twofold. The first reason is to make sure your heating system is safe. Months of disuse can mean problems that are not detected. Having the system thoroughly inspected allows us to see if there are potentially dangerous problems and correct them. The second reason is to make sure your heating system is functioning properly. Even if your heater comes on and appears to be running, dust and dirt that accumulate over a year can impact your efficiency. Worn parts can lead to expensive repairs and even system failure.
There are several types of heating systems, so not all systems will have the same points. However, what we look at includes:
- Leaking or rusty capacitors
- Filter Replacement (1” Fiberglass filter only)
- Electrical disconnect
- Operations sequence
- Blower and motor
- Gas lines, connections, and manifold gas pressure
- Unit wiring
- Burner ignition system and gas burners
- Thermostat
- Blower wheel
- Heat exchanger
- Wire assembly and circuit connections
- Worn parts, loose screws
- Vibration
- Defrost cycle
- Leaking air ducts
- Flue
- Temperature rise across heat exchanger
- High limit control
- Carbon monoxide emissions
We also make note of any problems that require repair or any parts that need replacement. We will then discuss those proposed repairs with you so that you can make choices about how you want to approach those recommendations. Some parts may show slight wear, while others may require replacement before you can safely use your heating system. We explain the differences so that you can make an informed decision. Our goal is to help you heat your home safely, efficiently, and reliably through the entire winter.
