Room-by-Room Inspection Tour - Environmental Systems, Home Mechanicals: Furnace, Water Heater, Heat Pump, Ventilation, Humidifier, Air Filtration, Purifier

A Home's Vital Organs: Can't Live Without Them, Expensive to Repair

Make sure to carefully inspect the furnace, water heater, and ventilation system, whether in the basement, the garage, or other location. These items can be very expensive to repair or replace. Things to consider include:

• Is there a humidifier built into the furnace?
  • How was it installed?
  • If it was installed above the furnace, it can leak into the furnace (they all do eventually) and rust out the heat exchanger.
  • Then you get to buy a new furnace!
     
• How old is the water heater? Does the water heater show signs of leakage, damage or rust? If so, you may be looking at replacing it a few years.
   
• Is there a water softener?
  • What type is it?
  • Is it working?
     
• Heating / AC System
  • How old is it?
  • Is it adequately sized for the home?
  • Is there any visible rust, water, or damage?
  • Can we see evidence that the furnace has been serviced regularly?
  • Does it have a heat pump?
  • Does it include an air filtration or purification system?
  • How old are the thermostats? Are they analog or digital? Manual or automatic?
  • How is the home "zoned"?
    • Do rooms have individual thermostats?
    • Do the first and second floors have separate zones?

    A well-zoned home can save energy and money.