I found it interesting that and inspector cannot fully inspect the heat exchanger without dismantlement of the furnace. When inspecting a furnace I make sure that the flame is the correct color and that it is even flowing from the burners but since I cannot see the heat exchanger I can never by sure that it is in good condition. From now on I will mark the heat exchanger portion of the inspection as not visible.
This is an image of the external condenser (on cinder blocks), a component of a split central air conditioner system. The identifying characteristic is the multiple metal fins that are designed to shed heat to the outside ambient air. The grey metal box and grey flexible hose is the electrical supply powering the compressor. The grey metal box is the electrical disconnect, which is properly located within eyesight of the condenser to aid in safely servicing the equipment. The black hose that descends from the eaves is the “line set,” which contains the refrigerant and directs it between the external condenser and the evaporator coil, located inside the home with the air handler.
**I read the article, “Identifying and Describing Heating Systems,” which emphasizes the identification method for inspectors to describe inspected systems in the report to the client. The article provides a method to categorize any heating system by noting these four characteristics: **the heat-conveying medium, the fuel used, the nature of the heat; and the efficiency and capacity of the system. While the article explores each of these characteristics, the authors suggest that most of the heating systems that inspectors are likely to encounter can be identified and described by the four common heat-conveying mediums: warm-air heating system, hydronic heating system, steam heating system, or electric heating system.
I decided to read an article about inspecting decks. Living in VT almost every house has some form of a deck. Statistics show about 45 million decks exist, and only 40% are completely safe. There are many things to look for when inspecting a deck. I’m going to discuss only a few. Make sure all post are pressure treated and the apropriate size for the load (usually 6x6" and no longer then 12’). All posts should also be connected to their footings. Posts can shift and lift out of their footings if not attached. You also want to look for potential water damage. Down spouts pointed towards a deck post, sprinklers with regular use pointed at a post, and indentations left over from the post hole can all cause premature decay. A simple “prick test” can determine the condition of the wood.
when inspecting the steam heating system. Everything seem like it’s in working order there is a small opening at the bottom that will need to be sealed to prevent air coming in from outside into this building but besides that the all functions operated appropriate
Anti scald valve or mixing valves should be installed on all houses. They mix cold water with hot water to maintain temperatures within in a few degrees. Without these valves a call for cold water could make shower water extremely hot and cause severe burns.
I inspected my HVAC system. It is a split system which uses ducts to distribute air and heat throughout the home.
Manufacture date 11/2009. No damage or leaks, the cutoff switch is located on the exterior wall by the unit.
The system operates as it should at the time of the inspection.
IR Cameras: Inspecting for Moisture Intrusion
Detecting moisture intrusion problems is an excellent application for thermal imaging or infrared (IR) cameras.
By employing thermal imaging and a moisture meter, inspectors can locate moistures issues before they become large problems and lead to serious damage.
Thermal imaging can help inspectors locate the sources and extent of moisture intrusion.
Chinese Drywall
Amidst a wave of Chinese import scares, ranging from toxic toys to tainted pet food, reports of contaminated drywall from that country have been popping up across the American Southeast. Chines companies use unrefined “fly ash”, a coal residue found in smokestacks in coal-fired power plants in their manufacturing process. Fly ash contains strontium sulfide, a toxic substance commonly found in fireworks. In hot and wet environments, this substance can offgas into hydrogen sulfide, carbon disulfide, and carbonyl sulfide and contaminate a home’s air supply.
Contaminated Chinese drywall cannot be repaired. Affected homeowners are being forced to either suffer bad health and failing appliances due to wire corrosion or replace the drywall entirely.
This is a Williamson brand furnace, natural gas, and according to buildingcenter.org the serial number indicates it was built in 1966. It’s efficiency would be well below today’s standards. It has an open combustion chamber and should be tested regularly for an combustion chamber leaks that could create a carbon monoxide poisoning issue or replaced. It also has a non-standard filter size that is not readily available and a customized fiberglass filter has been inserted. The attached humidifier shows significant corrosion and mineral build up and may not be working at all.
. My furnace. It is a mid efficiency up flow gas fired forced air furnace. It was installed in our home in 1995 so it is coming to the end of its life cycle. It still works good no issues I do all the required maintenance . So I’m hoping that it continues working for a few years to come.h
Ants. Ants are the most prevalent pests in households and virtually all buildings, were food and water can be found. Ants can couse lots of damage they can enter around window cills, doors, cracks in the foundation, were pipes or wires come into the home throu the foundation or structure, they can get onto the home or structure vegetation or trees that are close or touching the home. Carpenter ants are the most destructive they will nest in both moist and dry wood but they prefer moist wood. You can follow long trails of ants using wires or pipes to travel to and from there destination.you can tap with a screw driver along baseboards and fixtures to locate them you will often here a rustling sound. Out side check for nests around vegetation next to the foundation, under potted plants, patio blocks, stepping stones, in piles of rocks, lumber, and fire wood.
JUNE
2016
Inspection of condenser unit (outside unit) of air conditioning system for property listed.
Unit is approximately three (3) years old with no visual defects or damage to outer unit.
Interior of unit is free of debris and no visual indications of oil on interior components or bottom of unit: no visual leaks.
Unit is level and properly secured to concrete pad and shut-off switch properly mounted to building.
Surrounding bushes are properly trimmed providing adequate air flow around the unit.
System is running at this time and condensate drain pipe has adequate flow indicating no visual signs of restriction from air handler (inside unit.)
Peter McKenna
In my area, which is a Hurricane Sandy area, I find that I inspect a decent number of homes that have been unoccupied for some time. I often find issues like you see in the picture. This particular issue is a result of the house being closed up with no conditioning (AC/Heat) for the better part of at least 2 years. This furnace is in the attic; and the attic is not properly vented. The result; corrosion on the burners.
As we know, furnaces should have an emergency shut off switch within site of the unit. I’m sure we all see instances where, let’s say, the furnace is in the basement and the switch is on the unit, but there is a second emergency switch at the top of the basement steps for convenience. I wonder how others feel about this? Do you mention it as a potential issue? Should someone choose to use that switch they are out of sight once working on the unit.
Central Air-Conditioning System Inspection
This article is great for the home owner and especially for the first time buyers. Simple maintenance can go a long way, but I live in Florida, and down here, things are a little different. A/C systems here run as much as 300 days a year. If not cooling the house, it could be heating so the system is still operating. Changing filters regularly is a must, and having it serviced once a year is always a good idea.
I convey to the home buyer the importance of a few extra steps concerning their system in Florida. If your air handler in in the garage that’s great! When you come home, take a peek at it to insure it’s not sweaty, duct work is clean and dry and no indications of mold on the mounting deck or at the ceiling. If it’s in the attic, well get the ladder every so often. Outside at the condenser, check to make sure the bushes are trimmed and the unit has adequate air flow. Clean the unit by using your garden hose and flush out the coils at least twice a year. Don’t park that old ladder close to it; you could hit it by accident and then have to make a phone call. So just a few extra steps can go a long way to keep things smooth during those hot days, or even when it drops all the way down to 39 degrees.
This is a photo of an electric heat pump. It was manufactured in 2009. It is manufactured by Carrier. The supply line is well insulated.
My research article is titled: Homeowner Maintenance: Changing the HVAC Filter
It is critical to the proper operation of the HVAC system to regularly change and/or clean the air filter.
Also, a dirty filter that’s exposed to condensation can become damp, which can lead to mold growth that can be spread throughout the home by the HVAC system. This can lead to serious health consequences, not to mention a compromised unit that will likely require servicing and may require replacement, depending on the severity of the moisture problem.
This is a closed hot water heating system. The home was built in 1920 and has not been converted to a more updated heating system. This furnace is fueled by fuel oil which heats the water which runs through registers throughout the home. The home is cooled by window air conditioning units. The system is vented to the outside through the chimney stack.
Hello. I did my reading on dryer vent ventilation. I have learned that the the dryer vent tube can be up to 25 feet long to the connection. However for every 45 degree or even 90 degree bend the length should be shortened to avoid dryer vent lint collection and fire potential.
Pictured is a double unit, that I inspected, at a single family two story home. The one nearest in the photo, is the out door coils of the upstairs heat pump. The heat pump appeared to be in good working order, it had a manufacturer date of 2014. The second unit is a combination horizontal draft, natural gas furnace/air conditioner, also seemed to be in good working order. Both units were recently replaced, dated 2014, and should be under manufacture warranty.
