At what point should a professional inspect the heat exchangers in a heating system?

Inspecting heat exchangers every season is essential for maintaining the efficiency and safety of a heating system. This practice helps identify potential issues such as cracks, corrosion, or buildup of contaminants that could compromise the heat exchanger's performance and lead to unsafe operating conditions, including carbon monoxide leaks. Regular seasonal inspections allow for preventative maintenance, ensuring that any wear and tear is addressed before it develops into a more serious problem.

While inspecting at installation is crucial to ensure everything is set up correctly, ongoing inspections are necessary to account for wear over time. Relying solely on checks during faults can lead to delayed responses to issues, which might cause more extensive damage. Inspecting every other year might not be frequent enough to catch developing issues before they impact performance or safety. Seasonal inspections, therefore, provide a balanced approach to maintenance, ensuring reliability throughout the heating season.