Do you report Age of HVAC equipment?

[Jae Williams]

Originally Posted by rutzman

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.

My sediments...egg-zackly!

[Mark Reusch]

I remeber on a thread here that someon posted a link to somewhere that you could input the data off the plate and it would give you the manufacturing date if I recall. Does anyone rmemebr that thread or have that information. It could help I am sure.

[Mark Reusch]

ooops didn't hit spell check sorry.

[Jon Randolph]

I report the age of all of the major componants in the home, as close as I can get. For older HVAC items, I use the Carrier Blue Book to get a date range, then look for the year to be burried in the model/serial #, newer units usually have the manufacturing date listed. If the unit is over 8 years old, one of the following 3 comments gets inserted into the report.

The air conditioning system is over 8 years old and the typical life expectancy is from 10-15 years. Though the unit may last for 20 years or more, it is nearing or has entered its minimum life expectancy.

The air conditioning system is between 10 and 15 years old and the typical life expectancy is from 10-15 years. Though the unit may last for 20 years or more, it has entered its minimum life expectancy. You should expect repairs or replacement in the future and budget for such.

The air conditioning system is over 15 years old and the typical life expectancy is from 10-15 years. Though the unit may last for 20 years or more, it has surpassed its minimum life expectancy. You should expect repairs or replacement in the future and budget for such.



By the way, I also list the model and serial number of the items. It only takes a few minutes, but could save me in the future from a lawsuit by a crooked buyer/seller. I haven't had it happen to me, but I have heard of the seller switching out appliances.

[Gary L. Porter]

Originally Posted by Jon Randolph

I report the age of all of the major componants in the home, as close as I can get. For older HVAC items, I use the Carrier Blue Book to get a date range, then look for the year to be burried in the model/serial #, newer units usually have the manufacturing date listed. If the unit is over 8 years old, one of the following 3 comments gets inserted into the report.

The air conditioning system is over 8 years old and the typical life expectancy is from 10-15 years. Though the unit may last for 20 years or more, it is nearing or has entered its minimum life expectancy.

The air conditioning system is between 10 and 15 years old and the typical life expectancy is from 10-15 years. Though the unit may last for 20 years or more, it has entered its minimum life expectancy. You should expect repairs or replacement in the future and budget for such.

The air conditioning system is over 15 years old and the typical life expectancy is from 10-15 years. Though the unit may last for 20 years or more, it has surpassed its minimum life expectancy. You should expect repairs or replacement in the future and budget for such.



By the way, I also list the model and serial number of the items. It only takes a few minutes, but could save me in the future from a lawsuit by a crooked buyer/seller. I haven't had it happen to me, but I have heard of the seller switching out appliances.

Thats the reason I record it.

[Russel Ray]

Originally Posted by Jon Randolph

but I have heard of the seller switching out appliances.

You have now heard it direct from me, as well. I find it most often happens in areas dominated by college students. Found it quite often around Rice University, Texas Southern University, St. Mary's University, University of Houston, Texas A&M University, University of Texas at Austin, Louisiana State University, University of New Orleans, University of Michigan, Brigham Young University, University of Utah, Utah State University, Villanova University, Temple University, and San Diego State University, just to name those where I did a lot of property renovations. I even think it was more prevalent around the religious and private universities than near the public universities. Hmmmmmmmmm.

[Gregory A. Liebig]

I agree totally. At least I have a record of the unit that I inspected and if that differs from the one found after closing and there's an unexpected problem and can ask the client to read their report for further information.

[Mathew Hawley]

If the water heater and AC are nearing the end of their typical life expectancy, that is something the buyer should take into considertion and budget for replacement.

If I were the buyer I would want to know how old the water heater, AC and roof are, or at least have a pretty good idea so I could budget for future replacement.

Here is what I use when reporting on older AC units depending on their age.

AC condensing unit is at or near the age where it is no longer covered by a manufacturers warranty. Since these units are subject to failure without warning, we recommend you consider purchasing a service agreement or insurance protection plan that covers repair and replacement of the air conditioning components.

The outside condenser unit is at or near the end of its useful life and although the system is still performing, the efficiency of aging units is degraded and the necessity to replace the condenser unit should be considered imminent.

[Frank P. Newman]

Age, yes; capacity, no. The age can help the buyer assess when to consider replacement, while telling the average person that it is rated at xx,xxx btus or y.y tons is meaningless to him.

[North Witcher]

I, too, keep photos of all equipment and ID info. I do not forecast when it might fail -- if anything, I suggest "servicing by a certified xxx person". But I have occasionally found myself having to force myself to ensure my verbiage says what I'm trying to say -- "current safety practices," "inspector cannot forcast the item's life expectancy". I endeavor to ensure the buyer has enough and all the information he/she may need for an informed decision, trying to live by the ol' Golden Rule. I like Ray's "Free Appliance Package" -- guess I've been givin' it away for too long. And, yes, I have found myself, like tonight, trying to find the age of a Carrier HVAC unit and it's not in Preston's 1960-2005. I would send a photo, but can't find how to do that.

[Russel Ray]

Hey, North. I got your PM and replied. Looked like a 1982 unit.

[Mark Thorman]

Originally Posted by mreusch

IDoes anyone rmemebr that thread or have that information.

I use http://www.appliance411.com/service/date-code.php


www.MauiHomeInspections.com

[relliott]

Originally Posted by Mark Thorman

I use http://www.appliance411.com/service/date-code.php


www.MauiHomeInspections.com

Nice trick,now do that for furnaces and really impress me

[Mark Thorman]

Originally Posted by relliott

Nice trick,now do that for furnaces and really impress me

Sorry, I have no need for furnace ages since we dont have them here.

www.MauiHomeInspections.com

[relliott]

Originally Posted by Mark Thorman

Sorry, I have no need for furnace ages since we dont have them here.

www.MauiHomeInspections.com

Hahaha
Tell www.condobob.com to give up his domain will you