Back flow prevention valves: The requirement for the installation of back flow valves in Canada varies from province to province. The results of not having a back flow device installed in the sewer outflow portion of the residential home, could be catastrophic resulting in huge messes and insurance claims.Knowing when the plumbing code was changed(locally) to have these installed in new homes will assist one in a more accurate inspection.
I have learned that ventless fireplace heaters or all ventless heaters expel significant amounts of carbon monoxide and water vapor into the living space that they heat. Most people using the ventless heaters in cold weather would be hesitant to open a window in the space as recommended.
come across a coffee can on a end of a heat duct in the basement . This must have been a old branch off the main trunk.I was no longer needed so they just put a can over it. what ever works right. I should have been removed from the main trunk and covered with a patch and well sealed with screws and tape or duct putty.
going into the nachi gallery to write the next essay. I click on hvac and there are over 100 photos and or diagrams. This is what i like about nachi you can find diagrams showing how things work or how it should be done. Like the old saying goes. A picture is worth a thousands words.
This is the outside condenser for a Lennox air conditioning unit. This condenser looks in good shape and well maintained. It sits on a concrete base and it is clear from vegetation around it. But the copper pipes are missing proper insulation.
I have read this interesting article about space heaters. I have learned that space heaters can be effective energy-savers under the right circumstances, and different types of units will perform better in different situations. They also have the potential to be dangerous by causing fire if they are not operated properly.
The water heater shown is 8 years old according the BuildingCenter.org ( good resource). The WH has a capacity of 40 gallon and the fuel source is natural gas. The insulation was installed to reduce heat loss although I would recommend removal of the insulation around the TPR valve to ensure its operation. There is a loop in the flexible gas tubing that lower than the hard pipe drip leg, a place where sediment could collect. I would recommend having that flexible tubing shortened so that the drip leg is the low point in the system.
Asbestos Cement Siding , was banned by the US government in the 1970’s due to health concerns related to Asbestos. This system is extremely fire resistant and termite resistant and will not rot. However this exterior siding system is easily damaged by impact and any disruption of the siding by cutting , grinding or drilling will send Asbestos particles airborne. Asbestos in an airborne state where the particles could be inhaled and is where the health risk comes into play, so avoid disturbing the siding surface material.
This inspection of a gas fired furnace produced a couple interesting things to note. The obvious absence of the sediment trap on the gas line coming in can be a possible future area for problems if sediment and trash enter the unit. Also past evidence of water in the pan indicates some problems with thorough draining.
Inspection of the furnace is an area where a couple important issues shouldn’t be forgotten. First, the effective operation of the pilot mechanism must be checked. Most have the electronic ignition now rather than the standing pilot. Other areas to be checked is a visual over-all view with a flashlight of the heat exchanger area. Finally a good look at the filter to make sure it is clean is very important as well.
The furnace filter is an important part of a properly working hvac unit. The furnace filter should be changed on cleaned periodically or replaced. Paper filters are the most common types of filters and are easy to replace and the old one can be thrown away. With proper maintenance of the furnace filter you can expect a longer life expectancy and cleaner air in your home.
High efficiency furnaces have become the standard issue for modern home building. The ability to create heat without losing efficiency and helping keep operating costs lower has made the high efficiency forced air furnace the go-to option. Using PVC pipe as venting reduces installation costs and improves flexibility in where the furnace can be installed and vented.
The home has an oil-fired, forced air furnace with 2 disposable air filters. A dirty or clogged air filter restricts the air flow through the system and can decrease the furnace’s operating efficiency. Recommend changing air filter ( shown here next to new filter).
Additional learnings on evaporative coolers (swamp coolers). Thicker pads, as used in MasterCool units, are advantageous for longevity (several years if cleaned yearly). Cons include replacement pads cost 4x more. Mid-cooling season maintenance is recommended to remove dirt, sprouted airborne seeds and debris from the pads plus address any water flow issues to the pads such as clogged pump screens, clogged water distribution tubes or dry sections of pad. All coolers require seasonal start-up and shutdown maintenance tasks including donning or doffing a cooler cover, cleaning the water pan and turning on/off water to the unit. Water is typically supplied by 1/4" plastic or copper piping ran from an outdoor spigot. Homes will have 1 to 3 units based on the home’s square footage. Homes greater than 2500 sq ft typically have 2 units. Unit locations are ground level, mounted on stands attached to an exterior wall or on the roof (most common). Roof mounted units require atleast 2x/yr roof access. Home inspectors may notice interior wood doors “sticking” during the cooling season. This is due to doors and/or frames swelling caused by the air’s higher moisture content.
in most areas of NM we have swamp coolers as they are called here, we find when servicing them the pads become hard and stuck to the cooler body from normal use. we have put vinegar in these units over night leaving the pump on as the vinegar will break down the adhesive effect of the minerals in the water that makes it difficult to replace the pads, it also will clean the inside of the unit. the air passing through the pads and dripping water now is able to make the air cooler as it is supposed to do more efficiently.
Radiant Heating Systems
as i read this aritcle i noticed that it is a simple swystem to install, plus the benefit of a quiet silent heart compared to furnaces is a plus. in ancient egypt they used to take large stones into the desert and at night would absorb the cool air. during the day these stones would be covered with sand to insulate the stone during the day and again at night remove the sand to absorb additional cooling effect, they would then be transported backinto the palaces keeping them cool by radiating the cold stone affect. having many slaves made it economical but today the thermostat is much better!!
At the time of inspection, the inspector observed frost and/or ice visible on the suction (large, insulated) refrigerant line indicates an issue with the system requiring service by a specialist. Consideration should be given to contacting a licensed HVAC contractor for further evaluation and repair.
Attic Furnace Unit: Noted during a recent inspection of an attic that the furnace with evaporative cooler was installed with an electronic air filter system. The unit install was recent and all looked ok. However it was pointed out in the inspection notes for the buyer to review the owners manual for maintenance of the filter - it was in a hard to get to location.
HVAC venting termination clearances: during a recent home inspection it was noted that the water heater was installed in an exterior enclosure with the vent exiting the top of the cabinet extending 2’ above cabinet. The vent was within 3’ of adjacent opening / sliding windows. This was pointed out in the report as a potential unsafe condition that exhaust gases may enter home. Further review by licensed contractor recommended.
