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  1. #1
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    Apr 2011
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    Default Furnace test in hot weather

    I know that we are not supposed to test the Air Conditioner during cold weather due to the danger of putting liquid into the compressor.
    Are there any guidlines about making the furnace kick on ( gas or electric ) when it is hot weather?? Thanks

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  2. #2
    Terry Ewald's Avatar
    Terry Ewald Guest

    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    I was also wondering if everyone tests the furnace in the summerheat. Had an inspection the other day elderly home owners had the AC running(checked out ok) and the outside temp was 98 degrees; I inspected the furnace which showed signsof rust, marked marginal replace 1-5 yrs and not tested.



  3. #3
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    I always test it. When it's hot I try to keep it as short as possible. I'd hate to get called in November for a furnace that I didn't try to operate in June.

    Jim Robinson
    New Mexico, USA

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Test the furnace. It will not hurt it and that is why you are there.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Feb 2009
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    Southern Vancouver Island
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    What's hot weather like?

    I run the furnace long enough to check all the registers for air flow, and I run faster on the hot days.

    A couple of weeks ago, there was one register that had no heat coming out of it. Newly finished basement suite, move-in ready, now needs drywall removed to fix a loose duct. $$$

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

  6. #6
    Join Date
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    Maryland
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    On a technical side I can not think of a reason not to check the furnace for operation. Sure the house will get hot, so what. The only thing is that the AC will run a bit longer to drop down the temp after running the furnace. The total cost to the seller in fuel is minimal. If you were to say for a HVAC tech to come they would run it to check it out.


  7. #7
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Connecticut
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    and do a CO test!!


  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2012
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    Columbus, Ohio
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    20

    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Test the furnace..quickly! then turn the AC back on..

    Matt Kiefer, Columbus Advanced Inspections
    Home Inspection Columbus Ohio
    Radon Testing Columbus Ohio

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
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    Kentucky
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Thanks for the input. I have been checking them, but was told by someone (obviously mis informed) not to operate the furnace with high outdoor temperature. Again many thanks.


  10. #10
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Tackett View Post
    Thanks for the input. I have been checking them, but was told by someone (obviously mis informed) not to operate the furnace with high outdoor temperature. Again many thanks.

    Would love to hear the rationality for not running the furnace. Just curious.


  11. #11
    Garry Blankenship's Avatar
    Garry Blankenship Guest

    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Quote Originally Posted by Garry Sorrells View Post
    Would love to hear the rationality for not running the furnace. Just curious.
    The muffler bearings get too hot, melting the surrounding lubricant and they burn up.


  12. #12
    Darrel Hood's Avatar
    Darrel Hood Guest

    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    During the warm weather here in Texas, I check for air flow at the registers while running the AC. That way I don't have to run the furnace very long to complete the remaining inspection steps.


  13. #13
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Lake Barrington, IL
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Tackett View Post
    was told by someone (obviously mis informed) not to operate the furnace with high outdoor temperature.
    Sounds like that person is a wealth of valuable information!

    Several years ago I had to put an ice pack around the thermostat to trick it into ignoring the 85 degrees that was in the home.

    Eric Barker, ACI
    Lake Barrington, IL

  14. #14
    Join Date
    Jul 2008
    Location
    Lancaster, CA
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    153

    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    You mentioned Gas or Electric..

    If you mean specifically a Heat Pump, most manu's recommend not operating the heat portion of the system above 65 (carrier) / 75 (Goettl) and to steer away from operating below 55 (carrier) and 60 (goettl) for AC portions..

    For a gas or electric furnace or similar (electric coils) I can't see any downside.. except for places like where I live, you may need a ice pack like you would carry in a cooler.


  15. #15
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    Mar 2007
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    Chandler, AZ
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    I keep some freeze spray (or compressed air in can, it gets cold too) to spray on tstat to get temp below 90 to run the furnace. My HVAC friend told me how to jumper the tstat to force the heat on, but I don't want to take chances of shorting/breaking anything.
    Yes, do not run heat pumps when it's above 65-75. If there is suddenly a problem with the heat pump, you will be held negligent. My HVAC friend says he will switch to heat and listen for the reversing valve, but then shut it down. Again, I usually don't run heat pumps in heat mode in the summer. Manual says its not recommended. We are only doing a visual inspection, not technically exhaustive, or potentially damaging tests. Just my $0.02

    Dave Hill
    Buyers & Sellers Property Inspections LLC
    WWW.BuyersSellersPi.Com

  16. #16
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    Mar 2007
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    Plano, Texas
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Tackett View Post
    I know that we are not supposed to test the Air Conditioner during cold weather due to the danger of putting liquid into the compressor.
    Are there any guidlines about making the furnace kick on ( gas or electric ) when it is hot weather?? Thanks
    The OP question was about Gas or Electric FURNACE.

    Jim Luttrall
    www.MrInspector.net
    Plano, Texas

  17. #17
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    This is a case where the type of furnace needs to be specified.
    I was thinking of a gas, oil, electric FHA furnace. With or with out evaporator coil present. Or Boilers as furnace.
    I was not thinking of a Heat Pump.
    Testing the Heat Pump is another topic in itself.
    Testing for the reversing valve being operable, heat strips, condenser, and so on.

    I agree that manufactures say not to run the Heat Pump in warm/hot weather. Which is different to testing operation and function of the Heat Pump.


  18. #18
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
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    Bennett (Denver metro), Colorado
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    I always test furnaces in summer time, but yesterday I ran into a thermostat that won't go above 88 degrees and it happened to be 88 in the house. The realtor was very annoyed that I wouldn't pull the thermostat and jump the contacts to make it work.


  19. #19
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Quote Originally Posted by Lon Henderson View Post
    I always test furnaces in summer time, but yesterday I ran into a thermostat that won't go above 88 degrees and it happened to be 88 in the house. The realtor was very annoyed that I wouldn't pull the thermostat and jump the contacts to make it work.
    Should have asked the realtor to do it and you would go and look at the furnace as it kicks on.

    Though it is not to hard to do with much of a down side if you know what you are doing. Though I would do it at the furnance rather than the thermostat. It is a personal decision as many will say they would not attempt anything beyond the basic efforts.


  20. #20
    Join Date
    Mar 2007
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    Spring City/Surrounding Philadelphia area
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Quote Originally Posted by Garry Sorrells View Post
    Should have asked the realtor to do it and you would go and look at the furnace as it kicks on.

    Though it is not to hard to do with much of a down side if you know what you are doing. Though I would do it at the furnance rather than the thermostat. It is a personal decision as many will say they would not attempt anything beyond the basic efforts.
    Another work around would be to hold an icepack or bag of ice cubes over the thermostat to get the ambient temperature reading to drop low enough.

    "It takes a big man to cry. It takes an even bigger man to laugh at that man". - Jack Handey

  21. #21
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    Aug 2011
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    Bennett (Denver metro), Colorado
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    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Quote Originally Posted by Nick Ostrowski View Post
    Another work around would be to hold an icepack or bag of ice cubes over the thermostat to get the ambient temperature reading to drop low enough.
    I like that, but this was a vacant (HUD) home and I would have had to go to a 7-Eleven (or send the agent) to get a bag of ice and plastic bag.......in hindsight.......that would have been a great idea.

    I do lots of things on inspections beyond the SOP, but spending the time jumping the contacts on a thermostat or furnace is just not where I want to go.


  22. #22
    Binford Tools's Avatar
    Binford Tools Guest

    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Quote Originally Posted by Lon Henderson View Post
    I always test furnaces in summer time, but yesterday I ran into a thermostat that won't go above 88 degrees and it happened to be 88 in the house. The realtor was very annoyed that I wouldn't pull the thermostat and jump the contacts to make it work.

    I've run into that too. I just says lets come back when its cooler.
    You have to run the A/C or come back in the morning.

    You might have been able reprogrammed the t-stat to go to 90, as most will go that high.
    I was in a place that was 96 inside. I just said I will come back in the morning.


  23. #23
    John Bernard's Avatar
    John Bernard Guest

    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    I've had cases where the seller wants to hang around during the inspection. I always test the furnace first and really heat up the house. This has proven to be very effective in getting the sellers to decide to run errands during the inspection... ;^)


  24. #24
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    Fredericksburg, VA
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    895

    Default Re: Furnace test in hot weather

    Quote Originally Posted by Eric Barker View Post
    Sounds like that person is a wealth of valuable information!

    Several years ago I had to put an ice pack around the thermostat to trick it into ignoring the 85 degrees that was in the home.
    Yep! I had to do that once too.

    The above statements are expressed solely as my opinion and in all probability will conflict with someone else's.
    Stu, Fredericksburg VA

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