Thread: Run Gas Heater w/110+ outside temp?

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 the familys 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?

Any Comments Please. My client is disappointed.

If you felt testing would affect the occupant and other noted conditions, then its your call and hopefully you documented your reasoning.

Phoenix and Las Vegas are very similar in temperature. I always turn the furnaces on. While I may only run the furnace for 1-2 minutes in the summer months, at least I know if it’s working. (makes the buyers happy to see a picture of the unit working)

The only time I do not run the furnace in the summer months is if the air conditioner does not work. If the inside house temperature is over 90 degrees, I cannot turn the thermostat up high enough to get the furnace to come on. I have tried the trick of holding an ice cube in a bag again the thermostat, however I can never get it to work.

Jeff Euriech
Arizona Prime Property Inspection LLC

Originally Posted by Jeff Euriech

Phoenix and Las Vegas are very similar in temperature. I always turn the furnaces on. While I may only run the furnace for 1-2 minutes in the summer months, at least I know if it’s working. (makes the buyers happy to see a picture of the unit working)

The only time I do not run the furnace in the summer months is if the air conditioner does not work. If the inside house temperature is over 90 degrees, I cannot turn the thermostat up high enough to get the furnace to come on. I have tried the trick of holding an ice cube in a bag again the thermostat, however I can never get it to work.

Jeff Euriech
Arizona Prime Property Inspection LLC

It can take 15+ minutes for that to work. I have had my client do this so I can move along.

I can see your point but I would likely have told the occupant that I will be running the heat for a few minutes if they want to step out... and waited for their response, yeah or nay. It only takes a few minutes to test a forced air gas furnace and I never take so long that the actual temperature of the dwelling rises appreciably (at least in the summer) so the discomfort to the client is kept to a minimum.

That said, it is your call, make it and own it. Just remember to document what you did and why.