The Importance of HVAC Inspection

We can’t stress enough how important it is to get an HVAC inspection every year. A well-trained HVAC technician can spot potential problems and fix them before they damage your system and cost you more. An inspection can also reveal if your system is running inefficiently; sometimes very simple repairs can make a big difference on your utility bills. What’s more, bi-annual inspections in spring and fall can help prevent breakdowns when you need your A/C or heating most — in the height of summer or the depths of winter.

In our climate, where the air conditioner is used more extensively than the heating system, it’s particularly important to schedule a checkup in the summertime.

What an Inspection Should Encompass

Your HVAC technician will perform some standard tests and look at various parts of your HVAC system, inside and outside. In the spring the tech will do the following:

• Outdoor condenser/compressor: inspect coil, fan blades, drain openings
• Indoors: Check/replace filter; check ductwork, wiring and connections; test thermostat controls; inspect vents and flues; inspect and clean condensate drain; inspect and clean coils

In the fall, the tech should check the HVAC’s air handler, ductwork, vents and flues, as well as the burners, heat exchanger, pilot and gas pressure.

Buying a Home

If you’re thinking of buying a home, you should have the HVAC system inspected before you sign the papers. Generally, all the standard home inspection will reveal is that the HVAC system turns on and off. You need to know more than that. For instance, how old is the system? If it’s 10-plus years, you may be looking at a replacement very soon. Does the air conditioner use R22, the refrigerant that is being phased out? If so, you will probably need to replace the A/C soon. Does the heat exchanger have cracks in it? An HVAC technician with professional equipment can determine this better than you can by eyeballing it. If tiny cracks are present, the heat exchanger may need to be replaced.

For more on why an HVAC inspection is important, contact CCAC of Corpus Christi.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about your HVAC system, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 361-678-2495.