The winter season is severe, and a working furnace is essential to keep your homes warm. But before switching on the heating, it’s important to have your furnace checked by professionals. A proper HVAC furnace inspection can help identify issues that could cause damage or make your furnace less efficient. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the 26-point inspection checklist of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) furnace.
- Check Heat Exchanger Cracks or Leaks: This is a vital step in furnace inspection. An undetected crack or leak can lead to the release of carbon monoxide and other harmful gases.
- Check and Clean Electrical Cabinet: Dirt and debris can cause problems with electrical components, such as burnt capacitors and contactors.
- Remove and Clean Burners: Dirty burners can lead to improper combustion, causing carbon monoxide leaks or furnace shut down.
- Clean vacuum switch Port: This switch ensures proper airflow, and a clogged port can cause furnace malfunctions.
- Check for Gas Leaks: A gas leak can be dangerous and should be taken seriously. Experienced technicians can identify gas leaks and fix or replace parts, if necessary.
- Check Safety Controls: Safety controls, including limit switches and airflow switches, are critical components that need careful inspection.
- Clean Pilot Light: If the pilot light is dirty or not functioning correctly, it won’t ignite the burners, causing the furnace not to function.
- Clean Spark & Sense Electrodes: If the electrodes are dirty, the ignition might not work. Cleaning them ensures proper ignition.
- Inspect Hot Surface Igniter: A faulty hot surface igniter won’t ignite the gas, which can cause furnace malfunctions.
- Check Blower Capacitor: The blower capacitor ensures proper airflow. A faulty capacitor can cause the motor to overheat, eventually leading to motor failure.
- Check Inducer Motor Capacitor: The inducer motor is responsible for drawing flue gases out of your home. A bad capacitor can cause the motor to fail.
- Check for Proper Clearance of Venting: Proper venting clearance ensures safe operation of the furnace.
- Visual Inspection of Ductwork: A visual assessment of the ductwork reveals signs of blockages, wear and tear, or leaks.
- Check Combustion Air Vents: Proper airflow to the furnace is essential to reduce unnecessary strain which can lead to costly repairs.
- Flush Drain Line: The furnace condensation drain line should be cleared for the removal of acidic condensate, which can corrode the drain lines if left unchecked.
- Offer to Replace Smoke Detector Batteries: Smoke detectors are an essential aspect of household safety. Technicians should inspect and recommend battery replacement when required.
- Test Furnace from Thermostat: A thorough furnace test from the thermostat ensures that the furnace is functioning correctly.
- Check Inlet Gas Pressure: Check the incoming gas pressure to ensure that it’s within the manufacturer’s specifications for your furnace.
- Check Outlet Gas Pressure: Check the furnace’s outgoing gas pressure to ensure that it’s within the manufacturer’s specifications for your furnace.
- Blower Motor Amps: Checking blower motor amps ensures that the motor is working correctly and efficiently.
- Inducer Motor Amps: Inducer motor amps ensure that the motor is working correctly and removing flue gases efficiently.
- Temperature Rise: A proper temperature rise indicates that the furnace is operating correctly.
- Check Flame Sensor Microamps: The flame sensor should be checked to ensure that the furnace ignites correctly.
- Carbon Monoxide Test: Carbon monoxide leaks can lead to serious health issues. A carbon monoxide test is an essential and standard part of HVAC furnace inspections.
- Replace Filter: A dirty furnace filter is a common cause of furnace malfunctions and increases electricity costs.
- Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detector Presented: Carbon monoxide, and smoke detectors are essential safety devices. Technicians should recommend these appliances to households without them.
Routine HVAC furnace inspection ensures that each component of your furnace is working correctly and efficiently. Scheduling annual furnace inspections from qualified HVAC professionals can help prevent serious health and safety issues for your home and family. A comprehensive 26-point inspection checklist, as mentioned above, covers all the essential components of a furnace and ensures optimal furnace performance. So, don’t wait, schedule your annual furnace inspection today to ensure your family’s safety this winter.
If you still have questions or need help for your home heating, give us a call at Mechanical Air. Our team of experts is always here to help you make the right choice.Give us a call today at 559-288-6157 and let us help you create a cozy and cost-effective home environment!
