Heating Inspection in Summer

Archive Public Archive
#1

Originally Posted By: bsmith
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


I did an inspection on saturday. The house was really warm and the AC was cranking. The owner didn’t want me to turn on the oil fired hot water system (the buyer agreed). I know that if a system is off we aren’t responsible for inspecting it. However, if the heating system is on, when do we inspect it (have it respond to normal controls) and when is it just too hot to do so?


Bill Smith

#2

Originally Posted By: dvalley
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.




–
David Valley


MAB Member


Massachusetts Certified Home Inspections
http://www.masscertified.com

"Some cause happiness wherever they go; others, whenever they go."
#3

Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Bill,


Just don't inspect a heat pump in heat mode above 80 degrees.

#4

Originally Posted By: pdacey
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Blaine,


What's the reason for that? I run into heat pumps every day. Will it really do any damage to the system?

--
Slainte!

Patrick Dacey
swi@satx.rr.com
TREC # 6636
www.southwestinspections.com

#5

Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Patrick,


The head pressures can get high enough to damage the compressor when the outdoor temp is above 80. Some heat pumps have had mild weather kits installed which reduce the amount of heat captured from the outside air and thereby will lower head pressure. Just best not to run them above 80 though.

#6

Originally Posted By: mbartels
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Why bother?


If it cools… it also heats!!!

#7

Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Quote:
If it cools............ it also heats!


As long as the reversing valve works!
#8

Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


bwiley wrote:
Quote:
If it cools............ it also heats!


As long as the reversing valve works!


And there is not way an a/c service person can determine when the valve 'stopped' working. If could have 'stopped working' when the owner (your client) switched it to heat. There is no fault or blame on the HI for that.

--
Jerry Peck
South Florida
#9

Originally Posted By: Blaine Wiley
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


Jerry,


As I learned years ago (and I'm old so my memory has been known to fail) the reversing valve usually fails in heat mode.

Therefore, If we walk into a house which is cooling properly, switch to heat, and it doesn't go back into cooling mode, we'll get blamed for breaking the heat pump. If that happens and it's below 80, were fine, but if it's over......

I know you are always right, but I don't check them over 80.

#10

Originally Posted By: jpeck
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


bwiley wrote:
(and I'm old so my memory has been known to fail)


So am I. ![icon_biggrin.gif](upload://iKNGSw3qcRIEmXySa8gItY6Gczg.gif)

Quote:
Therefore, If we walk into a house which is cooling properly, switch to heat, and it doesn't go back into cooling mode, we'll get blamed for breaking the heat pump. If that happens and it's below 80, were fine, but if it's over......


So, "failed under testing", right?

Quote:
I know you are always right, but I don't check them over 80.


Nope not always right. But if it fails later, it fails later, and there is nothing we can do about that. Just like not accepting blame for it failing when you check it under 80. Any difference there that I am missing?

--
Jerry Peck
South Florida
#11

Originally Posted By: David Suelflow
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.


80 degrees? I thought it was more like 65-70.