No matter the size or scope of the job you’re taking on, having (and adhering to) an HVAC safety checklist should be one of the absolute non-negotiables in your day-to-day. Safety should always be top of mind, and this HVAC checklist will help hold you and your crew accountable.
Most contractors have their own HVAC inspection checklist they opt to go through, but if you’re looking to refresh or create your own standardized HVAC safety checklist, check out the list below.
Common HVAC Issues
Before we get into the actual HVAC inspection checklist, let’s cover some of the most common HVAC problems you’ll likely face on the job:
- Lack of maintenance/routine care
- Dirty filters
- Pilot/ignition problems
- Mechanical wear and tear
- Thermostat malfunctions
- Fuses and/or breakers
- Water leaks
- Blower motor
Being able to identify and assess these common issues is a key aspect of a technician’s role in servicing commercial and residential units, but how can you ensure that you and your crew are going about it in the most safe and effective way possible?
HVAC Inspection Checklist
To make sure that you have the proper HVAC maintenance checklist in place, it’s important to recognize the mechanical differences between the various equipment you may be tasked with repairing. Let’s take a look at a sample HVAC checklist for the most common equipment you’ll be working on:
Electric Furnace
- Check the fuses
- Check the limit switches
- Ensure that the sequencers are working properly
- Check the heat strip amp draw
- Ensure continuity of the heat strips
- Check the blower motor amps
- Check for low voltage wiring
- Inspect the line voltage wiring
- Clean or replace the media filter/clean the electronic air cleaner
- Check the thermostat programming and operation
Gas Furnace
- Check the wiring and control circuit
- Check the blower assembly
- Physically inspect the heat exchangers
- Check and adjust the air and fuel mixture
- Inspect the venting and combustion air
- Check the clean sensor and the flame rectification system
- Inspect and adjust the inlet and outlet gas pressure
- Check for gas leaks
- Inspect the safety controls
- Check the electrical components
- Inspect the temperature rise in the dry bulb
- Check the flue temperature and draft
- Check the motor amps
- Clean the burners, control panel, and then wipe down equipment
- Inspect the supply and return static air pressures
- Check the correct voltage for furnace equipment
- Test and measure carbon monoxide levels
- Check thermostat programming and operation
- Clean or replace media filter/clean the electronic air cleaner
Ductless Mini Split
– Outdoor Unit
- Check and clean the outdoor condensing unit
- Inspect the indoor coil
- Check for refrigerant leaks
- Check the refrigerant lines and flare connections
- Inspect the wiring and the control unit
- Check all the electrical components
- Ensure that all the equipment has the correct voltage
- Check and clean the blower wheel
- Wipe out the equipment
- Check and clean the fan blade
- Check the safety controls
– Indoor Unit
- Check if the remote is working and charge the batteries if need be
- Inspect and clean the filters
- Check and clean the blower wheel
- Check and clean the indoor housing • Inspect and clean the condensate line
- Check and clean the indoor coil
- Ensure the condensate pump is working
- Ensure that the voltage and communication systems connecting the equipment is working
- Flush the drain line
- Check the flare connections and the refrigerant lines
- Check and clean the louvers
Air Conditioners & Heat Pumps
- Check and clean the outdoor condensing unit
- Inspect the indoor coil
- Check for refrigerant leaks
- Check the condensate drain pan
- Inspect the condensate p-trap and drain line
- Check the control unit and the wiring
- Inspect the blower assembly
- Check the thermostat programming and operation
- Inspect the suction and discharge pressure
- Check the static air pressures of the supply and return
- Check the safety controls
- Inspect all the electrical components
- Check the temperature drop and rise in the heat pump
- Ensure that the superheat or sub-cooling is correct
- Inspect the motor amps
- Clean the control panel
- Verify that all the equipment has the correct voltage
- Check the blower speed
- Check the refrigerant lines
- Cycle the equipment to ensure they are working
- Clean or replace the filter
Make-Up Air System
- Ensure the fan hood triggers the system
- Check the heat strip amps
- Inspect the current sensor installation and wiring
- Check the current sensor settings
- Check the condition of the blower wheel
- Wipe down the equipment
- Change the filter
- Check thermostat programming and operation
Hot Water Tank
- Check the hot water temperature
- Check the flame visibility and performance
- Check the temperature settings of the tank
- Inspect and clean the burners
- Inspect the system for leaks and rust
- Check the operations of the relief valve
- Inspect the venting system
- Drain around 5 gallons of water from the drain valve
- Ensure that the earthquake straps are tight and intact
- Wipe down the equipment
Tankless System
- Check the hot water temperature
- Check flame visibility and performance
- Inspect and clean the burners
- Inspect and clean the flame sensor
- Check and clean the spark rod
- Inspect and clean the inlet filter
- Ensure that the relief valve is working properly
- Inspect and investigate fault codes
- Inspect the venting system
- Flush the system with white distilled vinegar
- Clean the equipment with pressurized air
- Wipe down the equipment
At the end of every HVAC maintenance checklist, you should always plan to cycle the equipment to ensure proper working condition, as well as plan to prepare a comprehensive diagnostic report to record the status of the equipment and the work that was performed.
If you’re interested in some HVAC checklist templates to get you started, the EPA is a great resource in making sure you’re following both safety and environmental standards in your HVAC inspection checklist. You can find those documents here.
