Gas furnace testing

[TGaney]

I'm a Las Vegas home inspector. Yesterday it was 110+ degrees outside with a raging fire in the mountains directly west of the inspection I was on. Well it was several miles west and the home was not in danger but you may have seen on the news the huge smoke plums dropping ash and smoke over our valley. The home was a 1997, tract home with (2) split system external compressors and (2) air handler/gas furnaces in the attic. The home was occupied by a family friend/caretaker who was on an oxygen generator and I saw numerous inhalers in the house.

The AC(s) ran fine, with a decent temp split, but I did not think it was prudent to fire up the heaters given the conditions outside, 110+ degrees, and inside, occupant with breathing problems.

Did I do the right thing? Comments Please.

[Marc]

I would have made the same judgement. I'd give the furnace a visual and no more when it's hot outdoors and occupants are home.

Marc

[Mike Lamb]

If I were the buyer I'd want to know if the furnace works. I don't think firing it for 15-30 seconds would be a big deal to anybody. And it's a decision that could come back and bite you unless the buyer agrees with you.

[Tom Raymond]

I'm with Lamb. I'd want to see it fire up and shut down using the t stat.

Yes it works or no it doesn't.

Does it make heat? That you can't tell in 110 degrees.

[Mark P]

The outside temp makes no difference on if I fire up a furnace or not. In your situation I would probably have asked the occupents if starting up the furnace for 60 seconds, just to make sure it works, would affect anything.

[TGaney]

Thanks for all your reply s. I'm heading back over there this AM to test the furnaces.

[Tim Maxwell]

I don't even ask, I may tell them I'm about to fire them up.

Like everyone else said, just for a minute or less.

I have found ones that don't work. Kinda nice to find out it don't work instead of waiting till that first cold night when you need it.

[Nolan Kienitz]

As noted above ... I do similar. T-Stat set to heat and turn the temp up to 90+. Wait for flame to ignite and burn a few minutes and be sure it is as blue as possible and then go back to A/C.

If flame isn't blue then I have something else to write up ... even at 95+ degrees. Yesterday's home the attic was about 105-110.

Certainly didn't leave the heat on for long. [:-bigeyes

[Bill Kibbel]

I have to run the furnace long enough for the blower to kick in.

[Brandon Whitmore]

The only time you possibly shouldn't test the furnaces is if there's no AC and the t- stats can't call for heat due to elevated indoor temperatures. Some probably just jump the furnaces.....