Get a temperature check on the health of your home’s heating and cooling systems
An HVAC checklist helps you breathe easier when buying a new home or maintaining your current one. HVAC is short for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning, and these systems are what keep your home warm in the winter, cool in the summer, and ensure good airflow all year long.
Whether your HVAC is due for a tune-up, parts of the system need repairs, or you want a thorough inspection as a prospective buyer of a property, it’s important to take note of anything that may need your attention. With a complete HVAC inspection checklist in hand, you can be confident you’ve covered all your bases.
A complete AC inspection is one of the first steps in checking a home’s HVAC system. Some homes outfitted with central air conditioning may include a heat pump as part of the system. It is important to work with a certified HVAC technician who is familiar with the AC system in your home because they’ll know all its components well.
If you’re getting a maintenance inspection for your own home, the AC technician may complete a number of cleaning tasks including removing debris around outdoor HVAC equipment or cleaning the condenser coils. They may also recommend repairing or replacing certain parts. If you are thinking about buying a house, though, they will likely stick with just inspection tasks.
As the technician inspects your air conditioning system, they may:
Test the thermostat
Check refrigerant levels
Inspect the condensing unit outside
Inspect the condenser and evaporator coils
Look for refrigerant leaks in lines
Check the drain pan, drain line, and p-trap
Inspect the blower motor and assembly
Look for any damage to the control unit, electrical components, or wiring
Verify the correct voltage for the equipment
Test the supply and return air pressure
Ensure all safety equipment is working and enabled
Confirm effective temperature drop
Check if the air filter is dirty or needs to be replaced
Inspect air ducts for cleanliness, leakage, and signs of moisture
Listen for unusual noises
Inspect the heat pump
The next section of a residential home inspection checklist turns its attention to the furnace. A furnace inspection can vary depending on whether the home has a gas or electric furnace. Some elements remain common, like calibrating the thermostat and evaluating airflow levels. But, other items can be unique to the type of furnace in the home.
The main items on a gas furnace inspection checklist include:
Perform a thermostat test
Visually inspect the heat exchangers
Check all gas connections to look for signs of leaks
Assess the inlet and outlet gas pressure
Inspect all electrical hardware, control circuits, and wiring
Check the blower assembly
Measure the fuel and air mixture to ensure it’s correct
Testing and calibrating sensors
Confirm safety controls are in place and operational
Verify correct changes in temperature when running
Inspect burners, motors, and other equipment
Verify static air pressures for supply and return
Measure carbon monoxide levels
Listen for unusual noises
Check the condition of all air filters
Check relevant ductwork
Inspect the ignitor, flame sensor, and burner manifold
Many of the tasks in an HVAC inspection checklist for a gas furnace also apply to electric furnaces. The HVAC technician will still test the thermostat and confirm that safety controls are operating correctly. Because there is no gas involved, though, they do not need to check for gas leaks or measure the air/fuel mixture.
As expected, an electric furnace inspection involves checking more electrical components.
Common parts and hardware to be inspected include:
Fuses
Limit switches
Sequencers
Heat strips
Blower motors
Voltage wiring
Electronic air cleaner
Another major part of a complete HVAC inspection is checking the hot water heater. Many homes are equipped with a hot water tank. In that case, the certified technician may include such tasks in their HVAC inspection checklist as:
Test hot water temperature at a faucet
Verify the temperature setting at the hot water tank
Confirm the flame is visible and operational
Inspect the burners at the tank
Check the physical condition of the hot water tank
Look for rust, leaks, and other signs of damage or wear and tear
Drain water from the drain valve
Confirm the presence and tightness of earthquake straps
Inspect the venting system
Check available safety controls
Look for any mineral build-up
The obvious difference with inspecting tankless hot water systems is that there is no hot water tank. Some steps on a tankless hot water inspection checklist may include:
Verify the effectiveness of hot water at the tap
Look to make sure the flame is performing as it should
Inspect burners, flame sensors, and spark rod
Check all valves and filters for condition and function
Confirm the system is not producing any fault codes
Look for sediment, dust, or debris in the water filter
Check for leaks or signs of leaks
Inspect the combustion chamber
Licensed, local HVAC companies are best suited for performing comprehensive HVAC inspections because they are familiar with different types of systems and your climate. Even so, homeowners and prospective homebuyers can complete a home inspection HVAC checklist of their own. Raise any concerns you identify with a certified HVAC technician.
As a homeowner, booking an HVAC home inspection in the spring can ensure your air conditioner will stand up to the heat of the summer. Similarly, an inspection in the fall can best prepare your home for the colder winter months.
A professional HVAC home inspection can identify potential issues before they escalate into bigger repair bills. People who are thinking about buying or selling a home can also benefit from inspecting the HVAC system by identifying concerns and taking the necessary steps to address them.
