This introductory overview of the major home systems gives students a solid foundation for beginning a career in home inspection. This comprehensive text gets students out into the field quickly while serving as a springboard for the 13 advanced electives in the Principles line. Systems & Standards focuses on system and component problems, their practical implications, and inspections strategies for finding them. No other single volume offers both the breadth and depth of this introduction.

Only half of a home inspector's challenge is technical-- the other half is effective communication with clients. This text is designed both for beginners who need an in- depth introduction and more advanced practitioners looking for tips, sample dialogue and documents, and an understanding of the scope and ethical aspects of a home inspection. The text includes "Inspection Checklists that summarize the important components and problems home inspectors will encounter, and can be used for actual inspections.

Home inspectors must understand how heat is generated, how it is spread around, how it is controlled and how it is made safe. This text also discusses how to discard the waste products of heating, how much heat is needed, and why homes can be uncomfortable even when enough heat is provided. This in-depth book addresses these issues for two of the most common home heating methods--gas and oil furnances.

This comprehensive text is designed both for beginners who need an in-depth introduction to hot water boiler inspection and more advanced practitioners looking to deepen their understanding. Along with boiler components and conditions, the book covers advantages and disadvantages of hot water heating, differences between boilers and furnaces, efficiency, sequence of operation and life expectancy.

Virtually every home heating system requires a chimney or vent, making this an important topic for both home inspectors and homeowners. The text explores the efficiency and life expectancy of various types of chimney and wood heating methods. Components and potential problems of wood furnaces are discussed for regions of the country where this heating method is common. Wood stoves and wood fireplaces, popular throughout North America, are also covered.

Steam, electric and wall/floor heating methods are often neglected in other texts because they are not as widely used as other methods. For home inspectors who expect to see them in their practice, this book offers a solid introduction to the materials, components, operating principles, and safety controls of these heating methods.