During the non-heating months of summer when inspecting a home with actively running AC, is it standard practice to briefly run the heating system to determine functionality?
Internachi Heathing Sytstem SOP states that the inspector is not required to “activate heating, heat pump systems, or other heating systems when ambient temperatures or other circumstances are not conducive to safe operation or may damage the equipment.” Therefore, is running a heating system during the summer considered unsafe and/or potentially damaging and should not be practiced?
Yes it is.
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I do it takes a few minutes for the system to reset but absolutely test the heating system. I back it up with infrared photography.
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Same here! 
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That’s cause you’re good!
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Why?
Are your clients paying for IR?
Even though I also have the technology, I prefer more memorable methods…
My clients are almost ALWAYS present during the inspection.
Example… yesterday, 80f degrees ambient…
Run A/C… Ask Client… “Cool enough yet”
Client: “Yup, feels great”!
(Switch over to Heat)…
Ask Client… “Is it feeling kinda warm in here to you”?? (In a concerned tone)…
Client: “Yeah, what happened”?
Me: “Nothing, just making sure you have heat this January”!!
(Laughter erupts all around… creating that memorable moment!!)
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Clients like to see these things as well! I didn’t have clients present today.
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You just showin’ off your toys! 
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Yes, that’s it! 
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Thanks for the responses everyone. I’m glad to hear that even when it’s hot outside you still turn on the heat for a bit to check functionality - I want to do the same for my clients (especially the memorable client experience option!) so they know it it’ll work when needed and I know I’ve provided a quality service.
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What do you do?
Just askin’
A heat pump and work fine in the cool mode and not work in the heating and vice versa. For one reason what I’ve seem most as to why this happens is the reversing valve goes bad.
That is what it is important to test in both modes.
I run the AC the entire time I’m inspecting because it’s HAF outside. I’ll finish up by running the heat for a moment to ensure the reversing valve is working on the heat pump. I than return the system to cool after letting it sit for 10 minutes.
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I was referring to you IR scan.
I photograph each register and and any visible ducts.
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