01 - Fundamentals & General Inspection

This foundational episode establishes the essential knowledge base for heating system inspection. We begin by defining the inspection scope, clarifying which heating components fall within a home inspector's purview and which remain outside the boundaries of a standard inspection. You'll learn critical heating system terminology including AFUE ratings, draft types, hydronic heating, and vent system components that form the vocabulary of professional heating inspection.

The episode explores the three fundamental methods of heat transfer—conduction, convection, and radiation—and how heating systems leverage these principles to distribute warmth effectively throughout a home. Understanding the stack effect becomes crucial as we examine how hot gases rise naturally through chimneys and vents, and what happens when this process fails, leading to dangerous backdrafting conditions.

Combustion principles receive thorough coverage, from complete versus incomplete combustion to the byproducts each produces. You'll understand why carbon monoxide, water vapor, and soot formation indicate serious problems, and how adequate combustion air prevents these hazards. We detail combustion air requirements for gas, oil, and solid fuel appliances, including calculations for both indoor and outdoor air sources, net free area considerations, and prohibited appliance locations.

Heating system capacity determination follows ACCA Manual J protocols for load calculations and Manual S for equipment sizing. You'll learn sensible versus latent loads, how geographic location and house orientation affect heating requirements, and why proper sizing prevents short-cycling and efficiency problems.

The classification section organizes heating systems by energy source (gas, oil, electricity, solid fuel, solar) and distribution method (forced-air, gravity, hydronic, radiant). Understanding these classifications helps inspectors quickly identify system types and apply appropriate inspection protocols.

Finally, we cover general inspection methodology: visual observation techniques, when to operate systems using thermostats, safety considerations before activation, and documentation requirements. You'll learn about service access requirements and environmental conditions that might prevent system operation. This episode builds the conceptual framework that makes all subsequent technical content meaningful and actionable.

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