Documenting age of A/C

[David C. Macy]

Here is a scenerio and my question is how would you report the age.

Outside A/C unit is 18 years old.

Furnace is 6 years old so the interior A/C components are 6 years old.

Do you document
18 years. 6 years or both.

Yesterday I documented as both, but previously I was documenting only the exterior units age.

Thanks

Dave

[Blaine Wiley]

Both.

Furnace is 6 years old.

Air conditioner condensing unit is 18 years old, which is past its intended lifespan.

[Joe Funderburk, CMI]

I too document both the furnace and AC condenser ages.

[David A. Andersen]

I don't document any age. I do not feel it is pertinent to the current operating condition of the equipment. That is the only reason I am there to inspect. Not to predict some alleged future equipment failure.

There is a lot of "hidden" codes in SN#'s that could make you wrong and liable. No thanks.

If your state requires it, do it.

If the client asks, I will report it.
Generally it is a question as to if the unit was replaced as stated on the listing. Or is this "original equipment"?

Yes, I have heard that the age should be reported to show that unit is old and will need replacing soon. But I see new equipment that will need replacing soon!

[Erby Crofutt]

What says the inside coils were necessarily replaced at the same time the furnace was. Ain't required in most cases as the coils are usually separate from the furnace itself.

Be aware!!

[pjcloninger]

I agree with David, reporting the age of equipment like that only leads to trouble.

[Blaine Wiley]

Not reporting the age can lead to trouble as well.

If someone is paying 300K for a house that has a 32 year old furnace and a 20 year old AC that are both fully functional today, shouldn't they be informed of the age of the units, and that both are well past their intended life span?

I have used similar statements to this for many years: The cooling system in the home is past the age of its intended life span. The unit was operated and was functioning normally during the inspection. Because of the age of the unit, the need for repairs or replacement of the unit is possible at any time. You should budget for repairs or replacement of the unit.

Do what is required in your area, but remember, we're there to educate as well as find problems.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Originally Posted by dmacy

Here is a scenerio and my question is how would you report the age.

Outside A/C unit is 18 years old.

Furnace is 6 years old so the interior A/C components are 6 years old.

Do you document
18 years. 6 years or both.

Yesterday I documented as both, but previously I was documenting only the exterior units age.

Thanks

Dave

Central heat and air-conditioning are provided by a single split-system, consisting of an estimated 6 gas year-old furnace with an evaporator coil that is located in the attic , and an estimated 18 year-old condensing coil that is located in the yard_.

How were the splits?

[kweiss]

I don't report actual ages. I will generally note if the equipment appears to be old and could possibly nearing the end of its service life. Around here if you said it was old and past its service life alot of clients would want it replaced and say you recommended it, whether it is working or not. I choose not to go there.

[David A. Andersen]

If someone is paying 300K for a house that has a 32 year old furnace and a 20 year old AC that are both fully functional today, shouldn't they be informed of the age of the units, and that both are well past their intended life span?

Here we go! As I posted...

NO.
It is our job to report on issues that are significantly deficient, meaning not operating as intended.

I do not have a crystal ball. The only ones out there that want you to know the suspected date of demise is mfgs. that want to sell equipment.

If the house is 30 yrs old and you advise the client that they have original equipment, they should be able to figure out that it "is" old or not.

It's always a nice touch to tell them that budgeting for new equipment is a good idea. But to tell them it needs replacing because of a Mfg date is likely to get you in court answering to the seller!

past the age of its intended life span.

Who intended this?! I have seen chillers born before me (53)!
I have seen 70 yr old folks that have their 27 year old GE heat pump checked every time it clicks instead of clacks! I have seen 1 day old Janatrols that couldn't cool my beer! What is the point?

Don't you guys have enough crap to deal with on every house you inspect without having to go there? Does it work? Yes, good. Report it. Does it look like crap? Report it. Are you so afraid that something might break after you walk out the door? If you are, you had better get used to it. I don't know how many calls I have gotten saying "it worked before you got here"!!

Remember "This report is not a warranty or guaranty" ?