American Home Inspectors Training (AHIT) Practice Test 2025 - Free Home Inspector Practice Questions and Study Guide

Severe rusting of the heat exchanger is a clear sign of potential issues in a heating system because the heat exchanger plays a crucial role in transferring heat from the combustion gases to the air. Rust can indicate that moisture is present, which may be due to a leak or other issues that compromise the integrity of the heat exchanger. Rusting can also lead to a deterioration of the material, potentially resulting in failures that could release harmful gases into the home.

In contrast, consistent temperature and normal operations without irregularities suggest that the system is functioning correctly and typically indicate no immediate concerns. Loud operation may indicate certain issues, but it is not as definitive as severe rusting, which poses a direct threat to both the system’s performance and safety.