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HEATING SYSTEMS

AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
AIRBOUND HEAT SYSTEM REPAIRS
ANODES & DIP TUBES on WATER HEATERS
ANTI SCALD VALVES
APPLIANCE EFFICIENCY RATINGS
ASBESTOS IDENTIFICATION IN buildings

BACKDRAFTING HEATING EQUIPMENT
BACKFLOW PREVENTERS
BAROMETRIC DAMPERS
BASEBOARD HEAT

BIOGAS PRODUCTION & USE
BLEVE EXPLOSIONS
BLOWER DOORS & AIR INFILTRATION
BLOWER FAN CONTINUOUS OPERATION
BLOWER FAN OPERATION & TESTING
BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION FLAMES
BLUERAY Recall

BOILERS, HEATING
BOILER CHEMICALS
BOILER COMPONENTS & PARTS
BOILER CONTROLS & SWITCHES
BOILER LEAKS CORROSION STAINS
BOILER LEAKS, HOW TO LOCATE
BOILER NOISE SMOKE ODORS
BOILER OPERATING PROBLEMS
BOILER OPERATION DETAILS
BOILER PRESSURE & TEMPERATURE SETTINGS
BOOKSTORE - InspectAPedia
BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE

CAPACITORS for HARD STARTING MOTORS
CARBON DIOXIDE - CO2
CARBON MONOXIDE - CO
CARBON MONOXIDE WARNING

CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
CHIMNEYS & Flues - Asbestos Transite Pipe
CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS
CIRCULATOR PUMPS & RELAYS
COOL OFF HEAT, Thermostat Switch

COMBUSTION AIR
COMBUSTION AIR for TIGHT buildings
COMBUSTION GASES & PARTICLE HAZARDS
COMBUSTION PRODUCTS & IAQ
COMPLETE COMBUSTION, Stoichiometric

CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES
CONDENSING BOILERS/FURNACES DAMAGE
CONVECTOR HEATERS - HYDRONIC COILS

DEFINITION of Heating & Cooling Terms

DIAGNOSE & FIX AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP
DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-BOILER
DIAGNOSE & FIX HEATING PROBLEMS-FURNACE

DRAFT HOODS - gas fired
DRAFT MEASUREMENT, CHIMNEYS & FLUES
DRAFT REGULATORS, DAMPERS, BOOSTERS

DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS
DUST CONTAMINATION FROM HVAC?

ELECTRIC HEAT
ELECTRIC MOTOR DIAGNOSTIC GUIDE
ELECTRIC MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH
ELECTRICAL POWER SWITCH FOR HEAT

ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings
EVAPORATIVE COOLING SYSTEMS

FAN, AIR HANDLER BLOWER UNIT
FAN AUTO ON Thermostat Switch
FAN, COMPRESSOR/CONDENSER UNIT
FAN CONVECTOR HEATERS - HYDRONIC COILS
FAN LIMIT SWITCH
FAN NOISES

FILTERS, AIR for HVAC SYSTEMS
FILTERS, OIL on HEATING EQUIPMENT

FIRE SAFETY CONTROLS
FIREPLACES & HEARTHS
FLAME COLOR, BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION
FLOODED HEATING EQUIPMENT REPAIR
FLOODED WATER HEATER REPAIR
FLUE SIZE SPECIFICATIONS
FLUE VENT CONNECTORS
FREEZE-PROOF A BUILDING
FUEL OIL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS
FUEL UNIT, HEAING OIL PUMPS

FURNACES, HEATING
FURNACE CONTROLS & SWITCHES
FURNACE HEAT EXCHANGER LEAKS
FURNACE OPERATION DETAILS
FURNACE OPERATING TEMPERATURES

GALVANIC SCALE & METAL CORROSION
GAS BURNER Flame & Noise Defects
GAS FIRED WATER HEATERS

GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS

GAUGES ON HEATING EQUIPMENT
GEOTHERMAL HEATING SYSTEMS

HEAT EXCHANGER LEAKS

HEAT LOSS in buildings
HEAT LOSS DETECTION TOOLS
HEAT LOSS INDICATORS
HEAT LOSS PREVENTION PRIORITIES
HEAT LOSS R U & K VALUE CALCULATION

HEAT PUMPS, DiAGNOSIS, REPAIR
HEAT TAPES, Heat, Insulation prevent Freeze-Up

HEATING COST FUEL & BTU Cost Table
HEATING COST SAVINGS METHODS

HEATING LOSS DIAGNOSIS-BOILERS
HEATING LOSS DIAGNOSIS-FURNACES

HEATING OIL CLOUD WAX GEL POINT
HEATING OIL EXPOSURE HAZARDS, LIMITS
HEATING OIL - OLD, USEABLE?
HEATING OIL PIPING TROUBLES
HEATING OIL SHELF LIFE
HEATING OIL SLUDGE
HEATING OIL USAGE RATE
HEATING SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR
  HEATING INSPECTION CONCEPTS
  HEATING INSPECTION PROCEDURE-GENERAL
HEATING SYSTEM INSPECTION DETAILS
  PREPARATION for Heating System Inspection
  ATTENTION CONTROL During Heating Inspection
  OUTDOOR INSPECTION of HEATING SYSTEM
  INDOOR INSPECTION of HEATING SYSTEM
  HEATING BOILER INSPECTION GUIDE
    HEATING SYSTEM INSPECTION SEQUENCE
    INSPECT HEATING CONTROLS
    INSPECT FOR HEATING BOILER LEAKS
    HEATING SYSTEM DEFECT SIGNIFICANCE
  ALTERNATE HEATING INSPECTION SEQUENCE
  FUNCTIONAL UNDERSTANDING of HEATERS
  HEATING FURNACE INSPECTION GUIDE
  FINAL BOILER ROOM INSPECTION CHECKS
  OIL BURNER INSPECTION GUIDE
  OPERATE THE HEATING SYSTEM
  HEATER OPERATING DEFECTS REPORT
  IMPLICATIONS OF HEATING CLUES
  FINAL HEATER INSPECTION REVIEW
  SET HEATING REPAIR PRIORITIES
HIGH EFFICIENCY BOILERS/FURNACES

HOT WATER HEATERS
HOT WATER IMPROVEMENT

INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT

LP & Natural Gas Safety Hazards

MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC
MIXING / ANTI-SCALD VALVES
MOTOR OVERLOAD RESET SWITCH

Natural Gas Combustion Products

NO HEAT - BOILER / FURNACE DIAGNOSIS
NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE
NOISE AIR CONDITIONER / HEAT PUMP
NOISE, DUCT VIBRATION DAMPENERS
NOISE CONTROL for HEATING SYSTEMS
NOISE CONTROL for PLUMBING
NOISES COMING FROM WATER HEATER

ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE
ODORS FROM HEATING SYSTEMS

OIL BURNERS
OIL BURNER INSPECTION GUIDE
OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS
OIL BURNER NOZZLE & ELECTRODES
OIL BURNERS, RETENTION HEAD
OIL BURNER SOOT & PUFFBACKS

OIL FILTERS on HEATING EQUIPMENT
OIL FILTER MISSING
OIL FUEL TYPES & CHARACTERISTICS

OIL & GAS PIPING
  GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS
  OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS

OIL LINE CLOGGING FIX
OIL LINE SAFETY VALVES
OIL ODORS, LEAKY OIL TANK PIPING
OIL PUMP FUEL UNIT
OIL SPILL CLEANUP / PREVENTION

OIL TANKS
OIL TANKS, BURIED
OIL TANK GAUGES
OIL TANK INSPECTION REPORTS
OIL TANK LEAKS & SMELLS
OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS
OIL TANK PRESSURE
OIL TANK REGULATIONS
OIL TANK REMOVAL COs
OIL TANK REMOVAL FINANCIAL AID
OIL TANK SAFETY
OIL TANK SLUDGE
OIL TANK TESTING
OIL TANK TESTING COs
OIL TANK WATER CONTAMINATION
OIL TANK WATER REMOVAL

PLASTIC HEATER VENT
PULSE COMBUSTION HEATERS
PASCAL CALCULATIONS

RADIANT BARRIERS
RADIANT HEAT
RADIANT HEAT Floor Mistakes to Avoid
RADIANT HEAT TEMPERATURES
RADIANT SLAB FLOORING CHOICES
RADIANT SLAB TUBING & FLUID CHOICES

RADIATORS

RELIEF VALVES - TP Valves on Boilers
RELIEF VALVES - STEAM TP VALVES
RELIEF VALVES - Water Heaters
RELIEF VALVES - Water Tanks

Reset Switch - Heater Primary Control
Reset Switch - Electric Motors
Reset Switch - Stack Relays

SAFETY HAZARDS & INSPECTIONS
SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE
SAFETY, HEATING INSPECTION
SAFETY,HOME HEATING TIPS
Safety Recalls, Chimneys, Vents, Heaters
  BLUE vs YELLOW COMBUSTION FLAMES
  BLUERAY Recall
  CHIMNEYS & Flues - Asbestos Transite
  Goodman HTPV RECALL
  Heat Recovery Ventilator RECALL
  Lennox Furnace Manuals
  Lennox SAFETY WARNING
  PLASTIC Plexvent / Ultravent RECALL
  Weil McLain RECALL

SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
SOOT on OIL FIRED HEATING EQUIPMENT
SPILL SWITCHES - Flue Gas Detection
SPLIT SYSTEM AIR CONDITIONERS & HEAT PUMPS
STACK RELAY SWITCHES

STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS

STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS

TANKLESS COILS
THERMAL EXPANSION of MATERIALS
THERMAL MASS in buildings
  THERMAL MASS FLOOR SLABS
  THERMAL MASS in UPSTAIRS
  THERMAL MASS WALL DESIGN
  THERMAL MASS in HOMES - STUDY
  THERMAL MASS TRADEOFFS, HEATING vs COOLING

THERMAL TRACKING & HEAT LOSS

THERMOSTATS, HEATING / COOLING
THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVES
Transite Pipes, Chimneys & Flues

WINTERIZE A BUILDING
Wood Burning Heaters Fireplaces Stoves
Woodstove Safety

ZONE VALVES

More Information

LARGER VIEW of an octopus furnaceDetailed Procedures for Inspecting Heating Systems
InspectAPedia®  -         

  • How to Inspect Heating Systems - as An Approach to the Forensic Inspection of Any Complex System - Part 2
  • Detailed Sequence of Step by Step Gnspection of heating boilers & furnaces for operating & safety defects
  • Heating system step by step detailed inspection procedure
  • How to understand & report the significance of findings during a heating system inspection
InspectAPedia offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at InspectAPedia.com/Contact.htm.

This document presents the detailed sequence of steps to use when inspecting residential heating systems with focus on heating boilers and furnaces, on assuring completeness, accuracy, and on maximum heating system defect detection. The heating system inspection methodology involved is intended to be generalized to the forensic diagnostic inspection of any complex system in order to have the highest probability of detecting important safety or operating defects.

This sounds fancier than intended. Our object is to use an organized procedure for inspecting for defects, without losing the ability to discover unexpected problems as well.

The methodology discussed includes both details specific to heating boilers (the full outline at "Contents") and more general complex-system inspection methods (listed immediately below).

© Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website.

© Copyright Daniel Friedman 2008-1993 all rights reserved -- Tri-State ASHI Seminar -- Last update 08/03/2010 - first presentation November 6-7, 1993

Detailed Steps in the Sequence of Examination of Oil-Fired Hot Water Boilers

Viewpoint #4--Detailed close scrutiny of the equipment, after a few "sanity checks"
ASHI 9.1.A.1 The inspector shall observe ... heating equipment

Inspect before operating the boiler

What are we looking at? Form a working Definition: A system which heats the house. A steel, copper, or cast iron "box" of hot water, connected to a loop of pipe (and radiators or baseboards) which runs around through the living area. The same physical water stays in the boiler and is circulated by a pump so that heat is delivered to the living area. Burning oil makes hot gases which are used to heat the water before being exhausted outside. Pumps move fluids. Safety controls at various points protect against a number of potential hazards.

We include links to detailed heating system articles that explain how boiler or furnace parts and components work, how to inspect or repair them, and description of common problems that occur with each heating system component.

  • Do you see some reason not to turn this system on? (See SAFETY, HEATING INSPECTION.) What about other problems?
  • Is the system safely connected to a chimney?
  • Look at the temperature/pressure gauge: normal operating values?
  • Look for leaks in the boiler itself (Cast iron is more resistant to death by leaks than steel. Older cast iron systems without tankless coils, if shut off in summer, may be at risk of leakage and hidden damage. Steel rusts through. Cast iron cracks or leaks at joints.)
  • Look for leaks at controls now and again in the sequence below
  • Leaks at valves or fittings which drip into the jacket of a steel boiler or onto controls or zone valves risk failure and loss of heat.
  • Is there a tankless coil? If so, address both topics, looking at heating first, DHW second.

Examine components in the sequence of operation

Training in proper operation sequence of the equipment and in the function of its controls is a step towards technical correctness. If you do not understand how a mechanical system works you cannot reliably expect to observe missing or defective components. This discussion is an exercise using sequence of operation to work for completeness. It is not technically exhaustive, it focuses on a specific example: oil-fired hot water, zoned, heating system.

Examine the accessible parts of the system. Let your eye travel from component to component in the sequence of operation. Apply the inspection logic discussed earlier, at each step. Consider the implications should each component be missing, damaged, inoperative, leaky, noisy, sooty, repaired by an amateur, etc. Think through the operating sequence as you examine each component in that order. The following are the steps in one common set-up. This list is lengthy and detailed. The actual visual examination may take only a few minutes.

The following 39 steps in a heating boiler operating sequence are discussed in more detail at BOILER OPERATION DETAILS. Similar information is provided for warm air heating systems at FURNACE OPERATION DETAILS.

  1. Room temperature drops,
  2. room thermostat switches "on" ASHI 9.1.A.2 normal operating controls - see THERMOSTATS
  3. [zone valve opens and] circulator [starts] [except in Canada where circulators may be set up to run continuously and where the thermostat directly turns on the oil burner] [Circulator usually located on cooler return-side of the distribution piping loop-longer life.] - Zone Valves
  4. boiler temperature and pressure are indicated on the TP gauge and should show increase not to exceed normal operating limits (200 deg F or less and less than 30 psi) - Gauges on Heating Equipment
  5. hot heating water leaves boiler passing by the ...
  6. air scoop (not always present; avoids air-bound baseboards)
  7. [air purge] (not always present; often leaky or sealed off)
  8. [automatic] water feeder (normally the manual valve for water supply to boiler is "on", the automatic valve is closed unless the boiler pressure drops below 12-15 psi. This valve is often also a backflow-preventer.) - Water Feeder Valves, Hydronic Boiler
  9. expansion tank (waterlogged, dumping relief valve)(attic? no r v?=some old equipment) - Expansion Tanks
  10. [zone valve] (not always used, shorter life on the "hot" supply side of <->piping) - Zone Valves
  11. distribution piping (watch for mineral salts indicating small clogged leaks)
  12. baseboards - which warm the room and thus the ... ASHI 9.1.A.6 heat distribution systems including fans, pumps, ducts and piping with supports, dampers, insulation, air filters, registers, radiators, fan-coil units, convectors - RADIATORS and Air Bleeder Valves
  13. room thermostat senses the heat increase. Water passes - THERMOSTATS
  14. more distribution piping returning to boiler past
  15. zone service drain and [flow balancing valves] (are they leaky?) - Zone Valves
  16. [circulator pump] (if it's not a convection system used on older houses) - Circulator Pumps & Relays
  17. back into the boiler.
  18. temperature in the boiler drops as cooler water returns.
  19. temperature sensor feels the temp drop and tells the ...
  20. primary control or high-limit control, but nothing happens (in the U.S.) until ...
  21. temperature drops 15 deg F below the HI setting on the primary control. Then the
  22. primary control turns on the oil burner (any drip/leak damage onto the control?) (Canadian systems: thermostat may activate burner directly.) - AQUASTAT CONTROL Functions
  23. burner pumps oil from the tank through ... (did we see the tank? is there an oil filter?)
  24. [copper] fuel line (and possibly sends excess back through a return line) See OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS or GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS depending on type of heating system fuel used.
  25. [past one or more Fire-o-Matic safety valves] (fusible link used in some jurisdictions) through the pump unit, sending ...
  26. high pressure oil to burner nozzle for spray into fire chamber (chamber ok?)
  27. transformer makes high voltage sent as spark to ignite oil (tar ooze at transformer?) and ...
  28. blower unit sends combustion air into the fire chamber... (is there adequate combustion air? how about when the boiler room door is closed?)
  29. Oil begins to burn (rough start or poor shut-down? smoke, soot, odor, noise ?) A flame sensor makes sure that combustion is occurring. CAD CELL RELAY SWITCH or Stack Relay Switch
  30. hot gases pass through tubes in steel or between sections in cast iron boiler, sending heat back into the heating water through the heat exchanger. (soot acts as insulation--boiler cleaned recently?)
  31. hot gases are collected at top of boiler and sent out through exhaust flue ...
  32. where the barometric damper assures proper and even draft; hot gases continue ..., up
  33. up the chimney to outdoors.
    ASHI 9.1.A.4 chimneys, flues, and vents (is the chimney improperly shared or vented to multiple floors?) ASHI 9.1.A.5 solid fuel heating devices [e.g. wood and coal stoves]
  34. boiler temperature rises up to the "HI" limit. (Thinking of High take a look for a pressure relief valve and look for defects there: leaking, corroded, not piped to floor, reduced diameter piping.) - RELIEF VALVES - TP Valves on Boilers
  35. sensor informs Primary Control which turns off the burner-(sloppy shut down?) (Circulator is continuing to run)
  36. the room is warm enough according to the thermostat so the ...
  37. thermostat senses the temperature rise and opens its switch. (Special thermostat sophistication and functions excluded here)
  38. circulator stops (except in Toronto) - Circulator Pumps & Relays
  39. Oil or gas burner will either stop then or continue until HI limit (AQUASTAT CONTROL Functions) is reached. - OIL BURNERS and OIL BURNER NOISE SMOKE ODORS

Look closely at controls, peripherals, key components,

while going through the detailed sequence
ASHI 9.1.A.3 automatic safety controls
  • Combination control - combining High Limit and "Low Limit" (which may or may not be in use depending on presence of a tankless coil). See BOILER CONTROLS & SWITCHES for details.
  • High Limit and Low Limit (if tankless coil) separate controls on older equipment - Limit Switches, Boilers
  • Flame sensing device: Cad Cell or Stack Relay (watch for sensitive relays and learn about the re-stepping lever) - CAD CELL RELAY SWITCH
  • Automatic water feeder and Expansion Tank - Expansion Tanks
  • Pressure Relief Valve - RELIEF VALVES - TP VALVES
  • Pressure and Temperature gauge--12 psi cold, less than 30 psi hot. Over 30 psi dumps relief valve.(Typical operating temperature settings LO-120-160 HI-180-200 degF. Typical operating temperature observed at the gauge will be below the high, and can be as low as nighttime room temperature in non-heating season if no tankless coil is in use. The temperature/pressure gauge may help in checking for normal conditions before and during boiler operation. However the gauge can be wrong!) - Gauges on Heating Equipment
  • Tankless coil--leaks, missing mixing/tempering valve, relief valve (some jurisdictions). Risk of scalding water at the house sinks/tubs if there is no mixing valve. - TANKLESS COILS

Leaks and Corrosion - some implications

  • Surface rust--repairable. Clean when serviced and monitor
  • Exfoliation--very serious, possibly not repairable, risks loss of boiler.

Common Heating System Leak Locations

  • Coil mounting plate - see rust stains below and around plate
  • Pipe fittings at face of coil plate - mineral salts
  • Leaks around bolt openings - suspect hidden damage

Examples of understanding function and implications:

  • Leaks are never acceptable, anywhere on a heating system. Leaking relief valves need immediate attention and repair (Leaking relief valve could be due to water-logged expansion tank, improper control settings (temp too high), improper automatic water feeder operation (pressure too high), or defective valve (leaky). True, you only have to report the valve. Did you miss problems at the other components?) Corroded relief valves also need test and repair/replacement

    Do not touch the relief valve- it may open and fail to shut down.

    Do not pick at corrosion as you may start a catastrophic, un-stoppable leak requiring total system shut-down.
  • Different water pressure/flow observed in the kitchen: hot water pressure significantly less than cold--is a tankless coil installed? is a water softener installed? is there "hard" water--have mineral deposits clogged the coil? Are there "cleanout" plumbing fittings on the coil piping? Does this suggest a history of clogging and acid-flush treatments? Can a clogged coil be repaired or replaced? How severe was that rust you observed at the coil mounting plate?

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HEATING SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR
  HEATING INSPECTION CONCEPTS
  HEATING INSPECTION PROCEDURE-GENERAL
HEATING SYSTEM INSPECTION DETAILS
  PREPARATION for Heating System Inspection
  ATTENTION CONTROL During Heating Inspection
  OUTDOOR INSPECTION of HEATING SYSTEM
  INDOOR INSPECTION of HEATING SYSTEM
  HEATING BOILER INSPECTION GUIDE
    HEATING SYSTEM INSPECTION SEQUENCE
    INSPECT HEATING CONTROLS
    INSPECT FOR HEATING BOILER LEAKS
    HEATING SYSTEM DEFECT SIGNIFICANCE
  ALTERNATE HEATING INSPECTION SEQUENCE
  FUNCTIONAL UNDERSTANDING of HEATERS
  HEATING FURNACE INSPECTION GUIDE
  FINAL BOILER ROOM INSPECTION CHECKS
  OIL BURNER INSPECTION GUIDE
  OPERATE THE HEATING SYSTEM
  HEATER OPERATING DEFECTS REPORT
  IMPLICATIONS OF HEATING CLUES
  FINAL HEATER INSPECTION REVIEW
  SET HEATING REPAIR PRIORITIES

  • Information on Hydronic (hot water) Heating Boilers:

    • BOILERS, HEATING
      BOILER CONTROLS & SWITCHES
      BOILER LEAKS CORROSION STAINS
      BOILER OPERATING PROBLEMS
  • Information on Steam Heating Boilers & Steam Radiators

    • STEAM HEATING SYSTEMS
        Low Water Cutoff Valves, Boilers
        Sight Glass, Steam Boiler
        Pressure & Temperature Settings, Controls
        Pressure Switch, Steam Boiler
        Steam Pressure Gauge
        Steam Vents
        LOW WATER CUTOFF CONTROLS
        Water Feeder Valves, Steam
  • Information on warm air furnace heaters

    • FURNACES, HEATING
      FURNACE CONTROLS & SWITCHES

      DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS
      DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS
  • Information on Radiant Heating: RADIANT HEAT Floor Mistakes to Avoid
  • Information on Electric Heat: ELECTRIC HEAT
  • Information on chimneys flues, vents, combustion air
    • CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR
      CHIMNEYS & Flues - Asbestos Transite Pipe
      DRAFT HOODS - gas fired
      DRAFT REGULATORS, DAMPERS, BOOSTERS
      FLUE VENT CONNECTORS
  • Information on Heat Pumps - HEAT PUMPS

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

  • Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.
  • Home Reference Book - Carson Dunlop The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 2010, $69.00 U.S., is available from Carson Dunlop. The Home Reference Book is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. InspectAPedia.com ® author/editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume.
  • Carbon Monoxide Gas Toxicity, exposure limits, poisoning symptoms, and inspecting buildings for CO hazards
  • DUST CONTAMINATION FROM HVAC? An Investigation of Indoor Dust Debris Blamed on a Heating/Cooling System Reveals Carpet Dust
  • Fuel Oil & Oil Heating Magazine, 3621 Hill Rd., Parsippany, NJ 07054, 973-331-9545
  • Goodman Furnace High Temperature Plastic Vent HTPV safety recall US CPSC notice
  • Home Heating System Should Be Checked [for proper venting and for CO Carbon Monoxide Hazards - DJF]
  • Inspection Procedures for Oil-Fired Heating Systems Detailed step by step approaches for inspecting complex systems]
  • Lennox Pulse Furnace Safety Inspection/Warranty Program: Carbon Monoxide Warning
  • Oil Tanks - The Oil Storage Tank Information Website: Buried or Above Ground Oil Tank Inspection, Testing, Cleanup, Abandonment of Oil Tanks
  • Oil Tanks Above Ground, UL Standards, guidance for home owners, buyers, and inspectors
  • Plastic Heating Vent Pipe & Other Heating Safety Recall Notices
  • Weil McLain Model GV Gas Boiler/gas valve CPSC recall/repair
  • Domestic and Commercial Oil Burners, Charles H. Burkhardt, McGraw Hill Book Company, New York 3rd Ed 1969.
  • National Fuel Gas Code (Z223.1) $16.00 and National Fuel Gas Code Handbook (Z223.2) $47.00 American Gas Association (A.G.A.), 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209 also available from National Fire Protection Association, Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269. Fundamentals of Gas Appliance Venting and Ventilation, 1985, American Gas Association Laboratories, Engineering Services Department. American Gas Association, 1515 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22209. Catalog #XHO585. Reprinted 1989.
  • The Steam Book, 1984, Training and Education Department, Fluid Handling Division, ITT [probably out of print, possibly available from several home inspection supply companies] Fuel Oil and Oil Heat Magazine, October 1990, offers an update,
  • Principles of Steam Heating, $13.25 includes postage. Fuel oil & Oil Heat Magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004.
  • The Lost Art of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, 516-579-3046 FAX
  • Principles of Steam Heating, Dan Holohan, technical editor of Fuel Oil and Oil Heat magazine, 389 Passaic Ave., Fairfield, NJ 07004 ($12.+1.25 postage/handling).
  • "Residential Steam Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
  • "Residential Hydronic (circulating hot water) Heating Systems", Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
  • "Warm Air Heating Systems". Instructional Technologies Institute, Inc., 145 "D" Grassy Plain St., Bethel, CT 06801 800/227-1663 [home inspection training material] 1987
  • Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Volume I, Heating Fundamentals,
  • Boilers, Boiler Conversions, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23389-4 (v. 1) Volume II, Oil, Gas, and Coal Burners, Controls, Ducts, Piping, Valves, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23390-7 (v. 2) Volume III, Radiant Heating, Water Heaters, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Heat Pumps, Air Cleaners, James E. Brumbaugh, ISBN 0-672-23383-5 (v. 3) or ISBN 0-672-23380-0 (set) Special Sales Director, Macmillan Publishing Co., 866 Third Ave., New York, NY 10022. Macmillan Publishing Co., NY
  • Installation Guide for Residential Hydronic Heating Systems
  • Installation Guide #200, The Hydronics Institute, 35 Russo Place, Berkeley Heights, NJ 07922
  • The ABC's of Retention Head Oil Burners, National Association of Oil Heat Service Managers, TM 115, National Old Timers' Association of the Energy Industry, PO Box 168, Mineola, NY 11501. (Excellent tips on spotting problems on oil-fired heating equipment. Booklet.)
  • Links to our list of additional information on heating system inspection, repair, maintenance
  • ...
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