Looking for Beta Testers in the South – Stand Out and Offer Valuable AC System Reviews!
Home inspectors, can differentiate themselves by offering a more polished section for AC Systems within their home inspection report. You don’t necessarily have to refer to it formally as an AC inspection. You can merely refer to it as general health and info on your AC system but I feel that an added charge would be warranted to the customer.
As for AC companies inspecting, they generally do a very cursory inspection because they themselves don’t want to be on the hook for anything. While I have a video that I can show, I’d probably rather have folks contact me and I’ll schedule a couple of different times for a zoom meeting where I can answer questions and provide more info as needed. Anyway, we need beta testers and would appreciate your curiosity, interest and even participation in a zoom call.
I don’t want this to violated the forum’s policies and I hope that the edited version above helps alleviate that. Thanks.
Which States allow charging a fee for this action without an HVAC license?
What is the typical cost for an actual AC Routine service/inspection call. Here in my area of Texas a trained HVAC Contractor charges between $50 - $75 per unit to perform a proper inspection.
If this is disclaimed as not “a warranty of good health” what value would it have to anyone including a homeowner using it themselves?
Does your app with its step by step tutorial for use explain how to properly set the IR thermometer to obtain proper readings?
There are other questions but this can start the ball rolling.
I feel that you can include an extra robust review of an AC system’s performance, SEER info, age and so on without necessarily calling it an AC inspection. I honestly think that it will be better than what an AC inspector delivers. As for the step by step, absolutely and I am happy to give you the keys to give her a try. The video that I posted (and removed for fear of violating forum policy) shows a housewife performing the temperature recordings and entering them into the app.
Are you a Home Inspector?
Are you familiar with an Inspectors SOP’s that they operate under?
Going outside of said SOP’s is an increased liability risk. ANY additional payment beyond the Home Inspection typically constitutes an ancillary service, with increased risks, and a possible lack of insurance without additional policy riders.
IMO… more added risks than benefits for the ‘smart’ professional inspector.
I guess I’m struggling to figure out how this is any different from what I already do.
I measure air temp from supply to after the coils. I record the age, SEER, I examine the coils, indoor and out, the insulation on the line set etc. I’m already doing a health check. If I don’t see at least a 14 degree temp drop, it’s time to call in service.
Every report I do has these two images(or 4 if it’s got a furnace). It’s measuring actual air temp, not IR emissivity of the line set.
IMO including this type of “service” as part of a home inspection is going too far beyond the scope, but if someone wanted to offer it as an ancillary service, have at it, but it’s not for me.
As for me, I visually inspect the air handler and the condenser for condition and age, I turn the AC on, verify that the condenser and blower motor is functioning, then check to confirm that it is indeed producing cold air at a registers and look for a temperature drop at the controller.
Our app is more extensive in that we record refrigerant temperatures and can spot far more issues than merely a delta T on the system. It does appear that you perform far more extensive review and then I’d have to ask how much more time is required from your approach versus our own and whether the report output is as polished and extensive as the one that we provide. You won’t be able to identify issues with refrigerant valves for example where we would. I have no idea what “examining” the coils means. A visual doesn’t provide what refrigerant line temps would deliver. As for IR it is quite accurate when performed correctly and probably takes far less time than the approach that you are taking. The question is whether there is a diminishing return in your approach which I am not criticizing but just making a point. Are you drilling holes when they don’t exist on the supply or return and when they are sheet metal? I am willing to bet that you don’t so what happens then.
As home inspectors, we are examining the performance of the system. I don’t care if the refrigerant is at 100 kelvin, if it’s not transmitting cold to the air, it’s pretty useless.
Mark,
How many bad TXV’s have you spotted? None I am guessing. I’ve had great Delta T’s but bad TXV’s. Do you know why Mark? Tell me how that might be possible since your knowledge far exceeds my own.
Oh Richard. I was seeking leading edge beta testers. As far as I know, you’re not my spokeperson nor would I ever entertain working with you or the Cawher fellow.
Been doing it that way for over 22 years. It either works, or it doesn’t.
As home inspectors, we are generalists and are not required to perform technically exhaustive services.
I inspected this unit a couple of days ago, the data plate was illegible so all I had to go by was the physical condition of the unit and whether or not it worked, and although it was obviously an older unit, it worked like new. Just the same, I let my client know it’s an older unit and could stop producing cold air tomorrow, or it could last another 5 years or even longer.
