AC Splits Yea or Nay

[David A. Andersen]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

If the conditions are right David can tell if the unit is working, hilarious.

My clients with no training what so ever can tell if their AC unit is working. Odd how can that be possible???????

Cold working, not cold not working.

Somewhere in between not working.

I am happy that some among us went to AC school, not necessary to tell if a unit is working. Might be important to tell if it is working efficiently, if is sized properly, if is balanced, etc............

Believe what you want, but I can diagnose an HVAC unit from my living room couch better than any of you dry bulb temp clowns!

I guess someone just needs another law suit to put their head back on straight!?

Yea, it's a big secrete we HVAC guys want to keep all to ourselves.
Do a scan of the HVAC section, I'm just trying to **** with your heads!

[Wayne B. Wilson]

David do you remember the secret hand shake still?

[David P. Valley]

It's just an air conditioner....why the arguments?

Dry bulb, differentials, spit on your finger...what's the difference?

Simply diagnose the A/C (by your own standards) and inform your clients of the existing condition.

It's not rocket science.

[David A. Andersen]

Well, actually it is...
but it doesn't have to be if you keep things in perspective and not make crap up.

Sorry Wayne, I did!
That is one of the things I forgot.
You know, the stuff I forgot that is more than most "I don't want to learn anything" yahoos will ever dare to TRY and learn...! ?

[James H. Bushart]

Originally Posted by dvalley

Simply obtain a temperature reading of the return register and the supply register. You want to see a 12 to 15 degree difference.

Maybe when you first turn it on....but when the A/C has been running for any length of time, cooler and cooler air will be making its way to the return register and the gap will narrow.

I don't do this test.

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by jbushart

Maybe when you first turn it on....but when the A/C has been running for any length of time, cooler and cooler air will be making its way to the return register and the gap will narrow.

I don't do this test.

I don't leave the A/C "ON" for a length of time anyways. Lately, I've been pointing my IR thermometer at the floor or wall to obtain the current room temperature, then I point it at a few registers. This will give me my answer.

I've found several brand new A/C systems (new construction) blowing room temperature air out from the registers. The thermostat was calling for A/C but it was simply activating the fan with no temperature differential at all.

I'm thinking the freon was either not installed or it leaked during shipment.

[Gary Reecher]

Originally Posted by dvalley

I don't leave the A/C "ON" for a length of time anyways. Lately, I've been pointing my IR thermometer at the floor or wall to obtain the current room temperature, then I point it at a few registers. This will give me my answer.

I've found several brand new A/C systems (new construction) blowing room temperature air out from the registers. The thermostat was calling for A/C but it was simply activating the fan with no temperature differential at all.

I'm thinking the freon was either not installed or it leaked during shipment.

Or in the case at one service call I had for no A/C. Checked the thermostat that it was calling for cooling went outside to the condensing unit. Made a complete orbit around the house. "Maam the reason you have no cooling is that you have no air conditioner."

[David P. Valley]

Originally Posted by Gary Reecher

Or in the case at one service call I had for no A/C. Checked the thermostat that it was calling for cooling went outside to the condensing unit. Made a complete orbit around the house. "Maam the reason you have no cooling is that you have no air conditioner."

Now that is freakin hilarious.

A service call for A/C and it was never there. Funny as hell.

I wonder if they think they have dish network too?

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by Gary Reecher

Or in the case at one service call I had for no A/C. Checked the thermostat that it was calling for cooling went outside to the condensing unit. Made a complete orbit around the house. "Maam the reason you have no cooling is that you have no air conditioner."

OMG thas is funny.

[Mark S. Tyson]

Am i on solid ground here? after reading all of these posts i'm wondering. i was taught that the temp. differental between supply and return should be between 14 and 22 degrees. i measure the supply side temp. at the supply duct as it leaves the air handler and the return temp. just below the evaporator coil. if the reading is between 14 & 22 degrees i report that the equipment is functioning per the manufacures specifications

[David A. Andersen]

i report that the equipment is(appears) functioning per the manufacures

Seeing as you have not gathered the required information (as it is outside your scope) to say in fact that it is working correctly, I'd use "appears"...

[John Gromkoski]

Originally Posted by JLilly

David and Roy are both right. David is totally right about splits and Roy is right that we as home inspectors are not there to do an in depth A/C diagnostic test. I know the pit falls. I was the Tech that was told I'm selling the house just top off the charge (don't bother with the leak) I am also the tech that complained that some HI pointed out something with an A/C that didn't amount to a hill of beans. Now I'm the HI. I can't spend the time to do a complete check of a system. It's not my job anymore. I'm so tempted to fix little things I see but I refrain. I thought of carrying wire nuts in my bag to put on t-stat wire I see that has none. I see someone having to call someone in just for that and the expense that it is. I still refrain. Short of going in depth just doing a split is not a good measure of the system but it is not our job to go too much further. Like Brian said earlier he followed his HI training. That may be the best way to handle it in the end.

Didn't you say you put gauges on the system?

[Gary Reecher]

Originally Posted by wwilson3

David do you remember the secret hand shake still?

Yes we do and here it is

Btuh = 4.5 x measured CFM x Delta Enthalpy

[Robert J. OConnor]

Cold can of beer beats splits any day of the week (especially humid ones) ...