Originally Posted By: Heath Brier Johns This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Does anyone check the furnace in the summertime? I believe it will damage certain components. If you do then how? I don’t test the heat on a heat pump (electrical), but am unsure about gas fired furnaces. Please give me some insight on this thanks!
Originally Posted By: Jay Moge This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
well first off, if the furnace is machanicly shut down ie; breaker off and/of valves off there may be more then one reason. so don’t risk a fire or flood my turning it on without knowing. contact the seller and ask them .
Originally Posted By: Jay Moge This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
then I would guess if you make sure the pilot is still lit, turn up the t-stat and get heat, then your ok. the furnace doesn’t care what the outside temp is. for all it know it could be heating water for a bath. some systems use an “everhot” tankless water heater, those furnaces run all the time (off and on as needed.) but regionally speaking I could be wrong in your case.
Originally Posted By: Jay Moge This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
yeah i got that. my point is that the furnace doen’t care what it’s heating. or what time of year it’s heating it. A/Cs are not to be turned on if outside temp. is 50 or 60 (depending on model).
Originally Posted By: jhugenroth This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I check gas fired furnaces all the time. They are just about all that is used around here. There is nothing in a furnace that will get damaged when you turn it on in the summertime. (Hey, it’s SUPPOSED to get hot, right?) With a heat pump there would be a problem with turning on the heat immediately after the A/C was turned on, because of the reversing valve. But a gas furnace, no problem.
Originally Posted By: aleleika This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Heath Brier Johns wrote:
Can someone give me literature saying it is approved to test a gas furnace in the summer time. Thanks everyone!
Heath
Heath, You came to the MB to ask for advise..You have recieved a consensus of other inspectors experience and knowledge about your question. If you still aren't convinced on the answer to your question and want it in writing or a more accredited source, then I would suggest calling up a manufacturer and find out directly. 
Originally Posted By: dedwards This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Gas furnaces are designed to be heated. I can not think of any possible thing that firing it up in the summer time is going to damage. You do not have to fire it up to 120 degrees anyway. Just a temp high enough (I typically use 80 degrees or so) to test the system and observe the conditions. Then shut it down. It takes very little time or effort. I do not check the heat pump in the “Heat mode” but I do check the “Emergency Heat” mode. When you are checking the Emergency Heat the Heat Pump is NOT running. It is then just operating exactly like an electric furnace. If it is THEN you do have a problem. It too only needs to be checked briefly, just long enough to check with an amprobe (clamp-on amp meter) or check for a temp rise at the supply register. I am HVAC certified and I hear this about furnaces and Heat pumps all the time. HVAC companies install systems all year long and they ALWAYS test them for function. It you have an HVAC night class being given anywhere in your neighborhood I urge you to go take it. It is worth twice the price of admissions.
Originally Posted By: Jay Moge This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
oh wait, i found something on that new fangled infernet spider web thingy. He’s got a valid question. I just learned that you’re NOT supposed to run a furnace if the outside temp is overr…let me find it again…ah here it is “215 degrese farenhiet”. Hope that helped.
