A/C unit - Testing in Winter

[Jae Williams]

Originally Posted by dandersen

We were not point fingers in any direction, just a generalization seen on a day-by-day basis in the industry.

There is nothing wrong with using the SOP as intended. It's when you won't move personal property to inspect something, and the personal property is a used bath towel! Can't be broken, damaged or adversely affect the property owner in any way.

"Experienced Inspectors" use the SOP when they know they are in danger (how many inspectors have fallen off a ladder this year?), understand that there is a high potential for property damage ect...

... and to make the client "understand" what HI is about and keep out of the court room!

The crap about "if you exceed the SOP in one area, your expected to do it forever" is a piss poor reason not to inspect something that can be safely inspected. IMHO
Yes, it's an argument that can be used in court, but court is nothing but a "Big Argument" anyway!

IAW with SOP/Laws, if you don't inspect something, it's required or a good idea to report why you didn't inspect. That's where the SOP comes into play.

It is my opinion that when you go one step further for your client (and they know it) there is little or no chance to be sued by them, even if your wrong! When they know your trying your best but screwed up once they are more likely to let the little stuff slide.

Totally agree. That's why my "Agreement" has a disclaimer about "exceeding the SOP if the inspector deems it necessary".

["In certain instances the Standards Of Practice may be exceeded as an added value and courtesy for the CLIENT. This shall be performed at the sole discretion of the INSPECTOR and shall in no way cause any deviation from this Agreement."]

I try to inspect as much as is "safely" possible, but sometimes I just don't feel like I want to get up on that 12/12 slate roof. Or enter a crawl space through a 10x20 opening and 12" or less head room. Or an attic that's even smaller.

[Jae Williams]

I will fire an air conditioner in cold weather only insofar as it starts--that's I need to know at that time. I defer to an HVAC for regular seasonal service of the equipment. The unit should not be operated for an undue length of time in the winter. But starting the unit just for the purpose of knowing it does start will do no harm.

[rdawes]

FWIW, TX SOP states not to test units below 60 degrees.

[Jae Williams]

What exactly does "test the unit" mean?

If it means running the unit for a length of time to determine its operational facility in some way, I agree. But if it refers to starting the unit and immediately turning it off, that is a whole 'nother bowl of pickles.

[David A. Andersen]

Jae,

I think some of use need to sit on the side and let this ride!

You know as well as I, that there are hundreds of HVAC units running in A/C 365.

Hell, in New England, if you need heat, you just shut off the A/C (commercial).
But code says you must maintain a heat source! ????

There are those that know what the orange or blue wire is for on a Heat Pump. As I posted, you can try to teach, but you can't make it happen.

For those that know the difference is between T-Stat wires, just hang.

For those that REALLY want to test in the winter, I designed a device (that you likely have in your garage) that you can put on your refrigerant gauges and "make the a/c run in the winter time" for as long as you want (it will make the unit think it's 100 degrees outside!). I will share this with anyone that is willing not to cuss me out for over stepping the SOP.

Send me a PM.

[Roy D. Cooke, Sr]

Originally Posted by dandersen

Jae,

I think some of use need to sit on the side and let this ride!

You know as well as I, that there are hundreds of HVAC units running in A/C 365.

Hell, in New England, if you need heat, you just shut off the A/C (commercial).
But code says you must maintain a heat source! ????

There are those that know what the orange or blue wire is for on a Heat Pump. As I posted, you can try to teach, but you can't make it happen.

For those that know the difference is between T-Stat wires, just hang.

For those that REALLY want to test in the winter, I designed a device (that you likely have in your garage) that you can put on your refrigerant gauges and "make the a/c run in the winter time" for as long as you want (it will make the unit think it's 100 degrees outside!). I will share this with anyone that is willing not to cuss me out for over stepping the SOP.

Send me a PM.

We in Canada and many parts of the USA get some very sever weather .
It could be 60 outside in the day but 10 in the night .
I still until shown in writing go by what I posted and taught minimum of 60 for 24 hours .
I can not be faulted by following proper procedure can I ......
Cookie

[David A. Andersen]

No.

It is "Your Call". That's the point of this all!

[Charley L. Bottger]

Geez I thought this was put to bed went away for the day and here it is still being discussed without me.

Sop's in this state were developed by a lay person, a real estate person and 3 Hi's from God only knows from what back ground probally from behind a desk job.

I pay very little attention to what the SOP.S say as they are just a minimum requirement. Every HVAC unit that I inspect would be above what my Sop's call for.

A good example of a bad SOP in this state does not require the testing of the washing machine drain if there is no appliance installed.

I carry a washing machine hose with one end cut off in my Ditty bag and I test everyone. The experienced HI will do what is necessary to perform a inspection to the best of his ability. I crawl in crawl spaces that termite inspectors, refuse to enter. I just had a conversation with a plumber that was making repairs from one of my inspects and his comment was how in the hell did I even find that leak there was no room.

If you are going to run with the big dogs you have to get off of the porch

Yes SOP'S state that it is up to the inspector if he deems something is not safe he is not required to perform.

But on the other hand Home inspecting is not for the light hearted would I go on a 12-1 slate roof wet or dry no on a 12-1 asphalt yes would I crawl a 12 inch crawl space yes would I crawl a 12 inch attic with insulation no. Its my call.

In my opinion if you are to stay in this business more than three years you have to out perform your compitors and do it in a professional manner. I am in my 11th year so I must be doing something right.

Do I test A/C units in the winter THATS MY CALL
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[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by cbottger

Well Brian you are suppose to be there longer than 15 minutes When It is 100 degrees outside and the house is vacant I unlock the door and run not walk to the stat. There is a reason they call me Candy A** Oh by the way that is why they placed a RED and WHITE wire on the back of the stat for when it is above 90 in the house
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Well Charley when it gets to be fall I'll let you know when it is 100 outside.

I ran the damm thing for over 2 hours, can't understand why it did not cool off for the life of me.

I know you refer guys like taking things like t-stats apart, but then I have to put them back togehter, I usually lose interest around then, so I just skip that entire step.

PS I would never call you candyass, I was thinging more like paintywaist.

[Charley L. Bottger]

Originally Posted by bkelly2

Well Charley when it gets to be fall I'll let you know when it is 100 outside.

I ran the damm thing for over 2 hours, can't understand why it did not cool off for the life of me.

I know you refer guys like taking things like t-stats apart, but then I have to put them back togehter, I usually lose interest around then, so I just skip that entire step.

PS I would never call you candyass, I was thinging more like paintywaist.

Yea I have seen 113+ on the boob tube for your area don't like it.

Call me for dinner call me for payday call me anything I answer to most all

[Roger Frost]

Talked to my client again. He forwarded me email from realtor, she quoted her HI as saying that he tests A/C units in the winter and that he would have noticed damage to cooling coil which was located in duct work. So this is a case of either a real estate agent who is mis-representing what her home inspector will do or say or there is some idiot out there doing damage to peoples A/C units

He is taking agent to court anyway. She told them A/C unit was working at last walk through inspection they had and it was listed as working unevenly, what ever that would mean. I offered them my Carson-Dunlop book which specifically states not to test when under 65 degrees.

[David A. Andersen]

So this is a case of either a real estate agent who is mis-representing what her home inspector will do or say or there is some idiot out there doing damage to peoples A/C units

Maybe the inspector is a certified HVAC contractor and did in fact tell the agent that.

Maybe the Inspector is in fact qualified to test the HVAC unit in the winter.

Should a HI inspect the a/c in the winter? Not if you don't know what your doing! Will running it always damage the unit, seldom but possible.

Can anyone say the a/c is working to capacity when testing it in the winter? Absolutely no! But you can tell if it is running, if there is refrigerant in the unit, if the compressor is pumping ect..

You are not "required" to operate a/c in the winter. So don't, it's your decision.