All readily accessible heating system components were inspected as part of this home inspection and appear functional, unless otherwise indicated within the Recommendations | Defects section of this report. Please note that any areas that are hidden from view (due to stored items, wall/ceiling/floor coverings, insulation, vapor barriers, unit housing, etc.) are NOT included as part of this inspection.

 

The purpose of these Standards of Practice is to establish a minimum and uniform standard for Louisiana state licensed home inspectors. Home inspections performed pursuant to these Standards of Practice are intended to provide the client with information regarding the condition of the systems and components of the home as observed at the time of inspection.

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The home inspector shall inspect permanently installed heating systems including:

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1. heating and air handling equipment installed through the wall;

2. normal operating controls;

3. chimneys, flues, and vents, where readily accessible;

4. solid fuel heating devices, including fireplaces;

5. air distribution systems including fans, pumps, ducts and piping, with associated supports, insulation, air filters, registers, radiators, fan coil units, convectors; and

6. the presence of an installed heat source in each habitable room.

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The home inspector shall describe:

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1. energy sources; and

2. the heating methods by their distinguishing characteristics.

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The home inspector is not required to operate heating systems when weather conditions or other circumstances may cause equipment damage. It may be impossible to fully inspect some furnaces due to system design. It is beyond the scope of a normal home inspection to dismantle any part of the furnace that is beyond a readily openable access panel provided by the manufacturer for routine homeowner maintenance or to inspect heat exchangers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, electronic air filters, the adequacy or balance of heat supply, or operate any automatic safety controls.  

 

It is beyond the scope of a normal home inspection to ignite pilot lights and fireplaces, determine draft characteristics, move fireplace insert panels, or inspect components of any solid fuel heating devices (such as firescreens and doors, seals and gaskets, automatic fuel feed devices, mantles and fireplace surrounds, combustion make- up air devices, heat distribution assists, whether gravity controlled or fan assisted).

 

If any defects documented in the inspection report are of concern, we highly recommend that any further evaluation and repairs be performed by a licensed HVAC contractor.

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