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Inspecting HVAC Systems Topics include heating, venting, and air conditioning inspections.

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  #1  
Old 12/18/06, 1:49 AM
David Nasser's Avatar
David Nasser David Nasser is offline
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Default Size of the Airconditioner

How can you tell the size ? and is that
critical to a good inspection.

David
Pyramid Home Inspections
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  #2  
Old 12/18/06, 2:33 AM
David A. Andersen's Avatar
David A. Andersen David A. Andersen is offline
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Default Re: Size of the Airconditioner

The model number of the unit and compressor.

It gives you worthless information unless you know what you are doing with it. It has nothing to do with home inspection.
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  #3  
Old 12/18/06, 5:54 AM
Greg Veal Greg Veal is offline
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Default Re: Size of the Airconditioner

David,

I usually list the Unit(s) model #, which indicates the capacity. I don't comment of the sizing for the area served, because that falls outside our perview of H/I. It's good information for the Client.
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Old 12/18/06, 8:19 AM
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Default Re: Size of the Airconditioner

DN,

This depends on the question(s) being asked of you.

The most common around here are "How many tons do I have?", "How old is it?", or "Is this unit efficient?" All are fairly easy to answer but do not tell the story about the installed system.

Not all systems are matched size condensing unit and evaporator coil, but all should be run through a program to calculate the many variables.

Sizing info, http://www.eere.energy.gov/consumer/.../mytopic=12340

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Old 12/18/06, 9:37 AM
ccbrands1 ccbrands1 is offline
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Default Re: Size of the Airconditioner

Quote:
Originally Posted by dandersen
The model number of the unit and compressor.
to elaborate, they're is usually a number divisible by 12 in the model number.

24 - 2 ton
30 - 2.5 ton
36 - 3 ton
40 - 3.5 ton

etc, etc.

this # indicates the size ( tonnage ) of the unit, but nothing else.

I always point out the tonnage in my report, but never elaborate on its adequacy in respect to the home...just report on it's performance the day of the inspection.
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  #6  
Old 12/19/06, 12:48 AM
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Default Re: Size of the Airconditioner

Quote:
Originally Posted by dnasser
How can you tell the size ? and is that
critical to a good inspection.

David
Pyramid Home Inspections
My state's SOP requires me to report the BTUs, if available.



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  #7  
Old 12/19/06, 1:07 AM
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JLilly JLilly is offline
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Default Re: Size of the Airconditioner

I list model, serial, tons, btus and age as a service to my client. I'm not required to do it.



James R Lilly, CMIA
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Serving West Virginia and Ohio

Last edited by JLilly; 12/19/06 at 1:11 AM..
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  #8  
Old 12/19/06, 3:31 PM
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Robert J. OConnor Robert J. OConnor is offline
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Default Re: Size of the Airconditioner

Quote:
Originally Posted by dnasser
How can you tell the size ? and is that
critical to a good inspection.
Quote:
Originally Posted by dandersen
The model number of the unit and compressor. It gives you worthless information unless you know what you are doing with it. It has nothing to do with home inspection.
I agree there is not much an HI can do with the size of the system/units, but many do like to report that info just for their clients information.

Some use rough area/ton numbers from local HVAC specialists (they vary greatly depending on the region you are in) to see if the system is in the "ball park" ... but never comment on adequacy of the system. There are way to many variables, and even contractors that use area/ton rules of thumb as a guide to check their calcs adjust those numbers for site specific conditions (ceiling heights, windows/glass, exposure, insulation, tight construction, etc).

However on the other side of the coin, if you do report the size and it's not adequate, the client may later ask why you didn't report that (even though thats beyond the scope of a home inspection ... but they don't know that).

If you do include the size of systems in your reports, I recommend you make it clear that it's for the clients information only, and determining the adequacy of the system is beyond your scope.

JMO & 2-nickels ...



Robert O'Connor, PE
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  #9  
Old 12/21/06, 1:49 AM
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Default Re: Size of the Airconditioner

thanks, get well from your cancer...
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  #10  
Old 12/21/06, 12:55 PM
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David A. Andersen David A. Andersen is offline
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Default Re: Size of the Airconditioner

Quote:
3.2. Exclusions:
I. The inspectors are not required to determine:
D. The size, capacity, BTU, performance, or efficiency of any component or system.




2.5. Cooling
I. The inspector shall inspect:
A. The central cooling equipment using normal operating controls.
II. The inspector is not required to:
A. Determine the uniformity, temperature, flow, balance, distribution, size, capacity, BTU, or supply adequacy of the cooling system.

????
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