Strictly Business Home & Commercial Inspections Report on all Operational Components—Heating and Cooling System

Most modern homes have both a heating and cooling system. Part of a professional home inspection is taking inventory of each of these operational components.

Heating System

A home inspector will visually observe the type of heating system a home is using. Most modern systems are generally central heat systems. He will note brand name and type of system—either a furnace or boiler and heat source. A furnace system forces heated air through ducts and a boiler uses pipes to force hot water through the system.

A heating system should be accessible to the homeowner or to service personnel, meaning that any main panel covers should come off easily. A home inspector will check filter systems if able, otherwise much of the heating system is visually observed. Based on system condition and industry know-how, a home inspector may be able to estimate a lifespan for the system, but this is not a requirement.

Duct work is observed for materials and condition. Each room of the house’s interior is checked for a heat source. Thermostats are checked for functionality and condition. Also, outside venting systems required to vent fuel gases are located and checked for adequate functionality.

Cooling System

If a home has a cooling system it is either central or localized. Localized systems include in-window air conditioning units. A home inspector is not required to inspect localized units.

A central cooling system is comprised of a number of essential elements including a condenser, and evaporator and a compressor. A home inspector will give these components of the cooling system a complete inspection and will check for coolant leaks. Any defects in the system are noted. Like the heating system, your house inspector will note brand and type of unit and may estimate age and expected lifespan.

In some cases, when systems are defective or not properly functioning, a home inspector may recommend a qualified HVAC specialist inspect the system further.

Strictly Business Home & Commercial Inspections serves New Jersey, the Greater New York Metropolitan Area, and Eastern Pennsylvania. They provide the most comprehensive inspection services in the region, including general home inspection, property inspection, commercial inspection, radon testing, mold inspection and carbon monoxide testing. Strictly Business Home & Commercial Inspections is licensed or certified with the National Association of Certified Home Inspectors (NACHI), American Home Inspectors Training Institute (AHIT), FEMA, Indoor Air Quality Association (IAQA) and the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.