by Jared Jeannotte

Created on: December 12, 2008   Last Updated: December 18, 2008

As the temperature drops we all have the urge to turn the thermostat up. Before you do, a home heating inspection is necessary to make sure your system is in working order. There are currently hundreds of types of heating systems on the market and before attempting any type of home heating inspection you first have to classify what type of heat your home uses. The most popular are gas, electric and oil. As a former heating, ventilation and air conditioning technician I offer the following suggestions.

(picture forced hot air system)

Many homes have a forced hot air system that is either gas or electric. Both of these systems work on the same basic concept. They take air in through a return vent, filter and then a heat exchanger. When starting a home heating inspection on either of these systems you want to make sure that there is nothing combustible within the vicinity of the unit itself. No rags, clothing, paint cans, gas cans etc. Before proceeding any further it is always a good idea to shut off the breaker to your unit. Then, find your filter. In most forced hot air units it is located on the top and slides out. It should be replaced at the beginning of the heating season and again approximately three months later. The filter serves the dual purpose of removing dust and contaminants from the air and to prevent a possible combustive layer of dust on the heat exchanger. The front panel on most of these units is normally removable by sliding it up or down. This will open up the "guts" of your heating system. Check to make sure that there is nothing in there that can be flammable and vacuum any dust that might be in the unit. Place the cover back on, the new filter in and turn your power back on. This is as far as someone who is not intimately familiar with their system should go. Anything further should be completed by a professional during your annual home heating inspection.

(picture open wall register)

If you do not have forced hot air, then you probably have either forced hot water or electric radiators. These both have the same charateristics when it comes to doing your home heating inspection. The register on the wall has a removable front cover. When opened it looks like a radiator in a car engine. Registers heat by pulling cool air from the bottom and heated air rises from the top. Make sure that there are no objects in the register such as clothing, crayons or any other objects that may melt or burn. There should also be no furniture or long curtains

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