The Shocking Truth about Staying Cool this Summer

by John M. Wickline

       Yes, the very thing keeping you cool this summer may also be a fire hazard. From years of performing thousands of home inspections in Hilton Head, SC, I have seen many electrcial connections that were close to causing fires. One county in Florida had 6 calls for heat pump fires in a very short time span recently. They do occur. It has been my experience that many Heating and Cooling technicians do not check the tightness of the electrical connections associated with the equipment. This is a very important part of maintenance that should not be overlooked.
    PLEASE ask your Heating and Cooling technician to do a yearly check on electrical connections to ensure they are properly torqued (torque wrench set to specific settings is required for some connections). I have had personal experience of near fires from such problems. The system components generate vibration and heat from day to day operation, both of which over time will loosen the electrical connections. Loose electrical connections generate more heat and can lead to fires.
It is also important your air handling unit does not sweat (condensation forming on surfaces) or have condensate drain blockages. Moisture dripping on electrical connections can also lead to fires.
Have your heating and cooling system serviced at least twice a year.

Thanks and Stay Cool

John

John M. Wickline
JW Home Inspections, Inc.
JWInspect.com
John is the president of JW Home Inspections, Inc., serving the Low Country of South Carolina, Hilton Head, Bluffton, Sun City, Beaufort, Hardeeville, Ridgeland, Callawassie, and Daufuskie Island since 1998. He is licensed in South Carolina and a certified member of InterNACHI.

JW Home Inspections, Inc.

Internachi, NACHI