Do you report Age of HVAC equipment?

[David A. Andersen]

I'm not following this thread much, sorry.

I'm a native Texan

RR I'm glad to now know your family tree.

Ask Him To Show You Everything He Knows About Hvac In Thirty Minutes

Yea, right!
I couldn't tell you what I forgot about in 30 min!.

I think it is important for a home inspection report to include the date of manufacture of HVAC equipment .

I think it is a waste of time.

Who might be the manufacturer of said junk???

Why, Junkatrol! Your area is flooded with them!

[Justin Watts]

I always state the "approximate" age... and I use that word "approximately" and state the Manufacturer just to have it in the report... Serial Numbers and Model number if a unit is an attic... California had a problem with Consilidated Industry furnaces, they caused fires.. you really have to watch for these, about 30,000 of these furnaces are out there....who knows how many have not been replaced or caught over the years.

I think too much information can never hurt you in the long run, its "too" little information that can.... The condition, the year, the make, they are all clues to the reliability of the system. And AGE and overall USE may be the biggest factor for wear and tear... I am always more cautious with reporting the "mid-life" system then I am the brand new, or furnace that is in obvious need of replacement...

And as for furnace systems that "used and abused"..... possible cracked heat exchangers, over 20 years old, flame pattern is suspicious... I just recommend "replacement" of the system. Play it safe, and if the buyer plans on keeping it, the furnace and heat exchanger should be certified as safe by a licensed HVAC contractor and serviced annually thereafter, and inspected by the local Gas Utility Company for safety...

www.americandreamhomeinspection.net

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

There have been instances of people switching water heaters after the inspection. I've started shooting closeups of the data plates, labels and energy labels of wh's, furnaces and AC's. If I can pull the date of mfgr out of the serial number easily, I do it as a courtesy to the client. Furnace, AC and WH codes are on my website for anyone who wants them.

[Christopher Currins]

Originally Posted by kshepard

There have been instances of people switching water heaters after the inspection. I've started shooting closeups of the data plates, labels and energy labels of wh's, furnaces and AC's. If I can pull the date of mfgr out of the serial number easily, I do it as a courtesy to the client. Furnace, AC and WH codes are on my website for anyone who wants them.

Thanks Kent, I had some but not all of those. Most of the time clients do like to know the age. Sometimes they use this to renegotiate the offer.

[donquique]

yes because florida law now requires it.

[David A. Andersen]

Fla law is not worked out yet is it?

Something you need to get changed.
There is no reason for it being law.
Call Jim Bushart, he can help.

[Dennis R. Goudreau]

If I can read the label I will report it had one Tuesday 1961 American standard could only read American standard 1961,did recommended replacement I don't like reporting on estimated time left, I don't know how and if it was serviced properly

[David A. Andersen]

did recommended replacement

Can you post why?

1961 AmStan works harder than anything you can "legally" buy today!

[klott]

always if i can read the data plate and take photos also.

[Dennis R. Goudreau]

Dave
the flame on the heat exchanger was lifting, also excessive rust, I did however state they should call local gas company to confirm & thanks I did not know that about that model

[Raymond F. Utzman, Jr.]

Yes, for the following reasons:
The age of the equipment may be important to the buyer, particularly if it is over 15 years old.
The buyer may need to plan for a replacement replacement furnace.
The information does assist the buyer when it comes time to obtain.

Typically, our reports do exceed the standards of the industry, do provide an abundance of information for the buyer, and are designed to be a reference source of information for the buyer.

[relliott]

The only thing missing in that survey is amoung the 70% whom report the age what percentage do you not get the info?
I know there is normally someone to help out on the boards but it can be a pain in the butt at times with some models.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by relliott

The only thing missing in that survey is amoung the 70% whom report the age what percentage do you not get the info?
I know there is normally someone to help out on the boards but it can be a pain in the butt at times with some models.

Bob I know for a fact that I have not gotten the exact date of each and every HVAC unit I have inspected exactly right, that being said, I am always within a year or two.
So if I tell you your unit is estimated to be 19 years old and it turns out to be 17 years old, well EXCUUUUUUSE ME, close enough.

[gporter]

Originally Posted by cpennick

I put it on especially if the unit is old. What I do not not do is say if the unit is to big or small for the house

Same here.

[gporter]

Yes.