A professional home inspector will go through many parts of the home seeking out key elements to ensure the condition or quality of the home. One element in every home is the HVAC system. The home cooling and heating system is a major component that requires proper care and of course, installation. If the HVAC system has been neglected or improperly installed, a buyer should be informed before committing to the sale. JMark Inspections will share some of the common problems discovered when inspecting the HVAC system.
Inspecting HVAC Systems
When inspecting a home, an inspector will cover many different components of the home including the HVAC system. It is first important to know that a home inspector is not an HVAC technician. Instead, they inspect for visual signs of distress or improper installation that doesn’t meet city codes. There are a number of warning signs that an inspector will look for to make sure there is nothing obviously wrong with the home’s HVAC system. Here are some of the common HVAC system flaws found during a home inspection.
Air Duct AKA Ductwork Problems
Air ducts, or also known as ductwork, can develop a number of problems in both new and old homes. If the air ducts were not installed properly they can easily develop cracks or breaks at the connections points. When there are flaws with the airducts it can lead to loss of heated or cooled air which results in poor energy efficiency. You are, essentially, paying more money than need be each month to cool or heat your home. Additionally, a crack or leaky air duct can allow contaminates or condensation to develop, which leads to health concerns.
Exhaust System Inspection
Another common flaw found with the HVAC system is the exhaust system. Heating systems such as furnace or boilers require a ventilation system to prevent harmful gas such as carbon monoxide from developing inside the home. At times the home’s heating system has improperly designed exhaust systems.
Inspection of Heat Exchanger for Crack
Home inspectors will often find heat exchangers with cracks. A cracked heat exchanger can go unnoticed for a long period of time. It is also dangerous. A cracked heat exchanger can leak carbon monoxide gas into the home causing severe illness or even death.
Flue Issues
The flue is a ventilation pipe that directs the exhaust gas and other combustion out and away from the home. Flues are sometimes improperly installed. Flues should never be near flammable material and should always be properly secured in place. At times the flue doesn’t always meet these basic standards and can become a major hazard.
Dirty or Blocked HVAC Evaporator Coils
When coils are dirty and even clogged, they can cause a number of problems with the air conditioner system. A dirty or clogged coil is easily discovered during a home inspection. If the coils are found dirty, it is not a major problem. However, it will require cleaning. Dirty coils are a sign of neglect and there may be other problems that are not easily seen.
Home Inspections in Pasadena, Pearland, League City, Sugar Land, The Woodlands, Conroe, Friendswood & Greater Houston, Texas
As you can see there are a number of problems that a professional home inspector can find. Never skip out on a home inspection, especially as a buyer. For professional home inspections, contact JMark Inspections today.
