What does this air handling unit annual checklist cover?

14 items across 5 sections, covering before service, deep service, performance, cabinet, and more. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.

Who should run this inspection?

The HVAC service lead, often coordinated with the controls contractor.

When in the schedule should this walk happen?

Once a year, scheduled for a shoulder season so the unit can be down for cleaning without comfort complaints.

Why do these items ask for a photo?

12 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 15 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.

What most often fails an air handling unit annual inspection?

Coils rinsed from the clean side only, pushing the mat deeper instead of out. Airflow 'verified' at the grille by feel instead of measured against design. Sensor calibration assumed because nobody has complained about the space temperature.

Can I use this checklist in RTI?

Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Free checklist

Air handling unit annual maintenance checklist

The annual air handling unit service is the deep pass: the measurements, cleanings and tests a quarterly round doesn't reach. This checklist keeps the full service on record with the photos that make it defensible later. Work is commonly verified against ASHRAE guidance, SMACNA duct construction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction has adopted.

Start free with this checklist Download as PDF

The checklist

Every item, and the photo evidence it needs

The photo count on each row is what RTI would require before the item can be submitted. Work the list here and watch the gate hold, or load it into RTI and let it enforce the real thing.

Before service

Filter and coil pressure drops read before cleaning
Static pressure across the filter bank and each coil read on the gauge or a manometer while running, so the cleaning result shows.
Every energy source to the unit locked out for the annual
Each fan, heater, drive and control circuit locked, tagged and proven dead; airflow, amp and safety checks run under the procedure's temporary release, people clear, then re-locked.

Deep service

Coils cleaned through the full depth
Cleaning from the leaving-air side so debris exits the way it entered, coil visibly clean to a light behind it.
Fan wheel and housing cleaned and inspected
Wheel blades free of buildup, housing and floor of the section cleaned, no corrosion through.
Bearings lubricated and drive fasteners torqued
Grease type and amount from the manufacturer's schedule, sealed bearings noted, motor base and hub set screws torqued to spec.
Drain pan scrubbed, slope checked and line flushed
Pan cleaned to its surface, slope toward the outlet confirmed, line flushed through the trap, coating checked for rust.

Performance

Airflow measured and compared to design
Traverse or flow-station reading recorded against the design CFM, not just a damper position.
Fan static pressure and motor amps compared to the balance report
Readings taken under the energized-work procedure and PPE, compared with the balance report and the motor nameplate amps.
Sensors and actuators calibrated
Space, discharge and mixed-air readings compared against a reference instrument; dampers stroke to command.

Cabinet

Cabinet seals, doors and gaskets intact
No air whistling past door gaskets, latches pulling doors tight, insulation liner intact.
Electrical connections and safeties checked
Terminations checked for heat marks, safeties and interlocks functionally tested.

Return to service

Guards, panels and doors secured after the annual
Every guard and panel refitted, doors latched, cleaning water and debris cleared from the sections and the floor below.
Locks cleared and the unit run through a full start
Locks removed by the person who hung them, unit started from the controller and fan brought to speed with no alarm.
No photo
Annual readings recorded beside last year's baseline
Pressure drops, amps and airflow entered in the unit history next to last year's values, deficiencies reported to the owner.
No photo

What usually sends this back

The failures are almost always the evidence, not the work

Coils rinsed from the clean side only, pushing the mat deeper instead of out.
Airflow 'verified' at the grille by feel instead of measured against design.
Sensor calibration assumed because nobody has complained about the space temperature.

Verified against

Common questions

6 answers

What does this air handling unit annual checklist cover?: 14 items across 5 sections, covering before service, deep service, performance, cabinet, and more. Each item spells out what the person walking the job is actually looking for, not just a box to tick.
Who should run this inspection?: The HVAC service lead, often coordinated with the controls contractor.
When in the schedule should this walk happen?: Once a year, scheduled for a shoulder season so the unit can be down for cleaning without comfort complaints.
Why do these items ask for a photo?: 12 of the 14 items call for photo evidence, 15 photos in all. A checklist answer without the photo is a claim; the photo is what makes the record worth something in a dispute and lets a reviewer approve work without re-walking the job.
What most often fails an air handling unit annual inspection?: Coils rinsed from the clean side only, pushing the mat deeper instead of out. Airflow 'verified' at the grille by feel instead of measured against design. Sensor calibration assumed because nobody has complained about the space temperature.
Can I use this checklist in RTI?: Yes. Start a free RTI workspace, build this list as a checklist, and the Photo Gate holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and its photos are attached. Approved inspections roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident audit trail.

Related checklists

Air handling unit QuarterlyAir handling unit quarterly maintenance checklistFilters, belts, coils and drain pans checked on the quarterly round15 items13 photos

Run it with the Photo Gate

A checklist nobody can submit half-finished

Load this list into RTI, stick a QR tag on the area it covers, and the submit button stays locked until every mandatory item is answered and the 15 required photos exist. Approved walks roll into a branded turnover package with a tamper evident record behind every line.