- if you’re in Texas, inspectors are not required to perform detailed assessments and certainly shouldn’t be plugging in gauges. However, it doesn’t prohibit them from performing a visual inspection and using temp readings to make determinations. Nothing at all that prohibits it. However, they encourage home owners to seek an AC tech for more detailed inspections. That being said, this technology is a game changer so they might encourage more home inspectors to use it once familiar with it.
- AC laws for Georgia and Texas don’t prohibit diagnostics from being performed by an unlicensed professional. Neither you nor I am touching or repairing anything. We’re simply measuring performance and citing system faults.
- Does the HVAC industry believe that Infrared is accurate? There is no one doing it on a broad scale. Happenstance comments will often be dropped by AC techs as they are inaccurate. I can tell you that my engineer with a Masters level education agrees that it works. My son who is a Georgia Tech graduate (with honors) in electrical engineering helped with developing the proper methods to record the readings. What’s new is always refuted in the beginning. However, we’re experienced with HVAC monitoring and diagnostics field, so I feel that we’re not too shabby in testing our apps and developing proper methods. Personally, I love it. Simple and surprisingly very comprehensive. The industry will fight the hell out of it because they have everything to lose (e.g. $800 wireless temp sensor kits, digital pressure gauges and you name it).
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Non-invasive Jeff. You’re not tapping the line.
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Your service might work well for a consumer but here in Texas, and likely other States, it may well be a grey line between what a licensed Home Inspector is allowed to do and what is the domain of an Engineer trained/licensed for air conditioning/refrigeration and/or a licensed Air Conditioning Refrigerator Contractor/Technician. Whether the Texas Inspector charges the suggested $95.00 or adds it to their inspection fee they are still offering to perform these potential licensed services for a fee that they may not be licensed to perform. So far you have not provided the actual laws requested to display if a Home Inspector can legally perform this in depth assessment to specifically identify faults. In Texas we already run a gauntlet as we perform actions other licensed persons do not care to see us do. Can you provide that at least for Texas Inspectors to display each point of your service is not against any other licensing laws?
As for your response I will touch on points for consideration for you to review and provide answers to for Texas Inspectors and possibly other States as well.
“If you’re in Texas…” As Inspectors in Texas we are provided some leeway to step into another licensed professions responsibilities but our SOP as described by our rules “is not intended to be a comprehensive investigation or exploratory probe to determine the cause or effect of deficiencies noted by the inspector”. We are allowed to exceed our SOP as long as noted in our Rules/Laws “the inspector must possess the competency required to do so.”. How does your program ensure that the Inspector has the competency to perform a more in depth evaluation of the system for the purpose of identifying specific issues with an HVAC system?
“AC laws for Georgia and Texas” Please provide the specific Texas Law/Rule that states we are not performing work under the purview of the licensed AC/Refrig Contractor/Tech? Yes diagnostics are not prohibited from being performed by an “unlicensed professional” if it is basically the owner of the system performing that work. If any individual charges a fee for a service, and does not own the system, they have again stepped into that grey area. Please provide the law/rule that refutes this?
“Does the HVAC industry believe” Again we are given leeway to perform beyond our SOP. We are also required to provide a high level operational assessment of the performance of AC units. However the method of assessment is required to use “industry-accepted methods”. So are you stating here that your method is not an “industry-accepted method”?
Your system may work well but if it were that easy I have a hard time understanding why the HVAC Contractors have never used it? It can certainly save them a great deal of time allowing them to move quickly from one annual inspection to another thereby making them a great deal more money. I just had my annual system check including refrigerant levels, motor draws, etc., etc., and am in the time of year where they only charge $49. Time on site was one hour for the check and basic cleaning. Later when it gets hotter out that fee would go up but they can easily cut each others’ throats and keep it low if this system is as accurate as described.
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Emmanuel thanks for the feedback. I am in GA and it’s a different market for inspections and AC. Anyway, I can surely respond to each point above but I don’t think it would be productive. However, all excellent questions. Ty for taking the time.
That’s quite obvious… Me’ thinks it’s time for you to just ‘walk away’… again!
Well Jeffrey, I came on here to find beta testers and not sell business. I guess that you didn’t get that. Emmanuel actually provided some very good questions and points. You all educated me on your perceived boundaries and that was as good as getting beta testers. All good and I appreciate the feedback.
Same kinda BS different day.. .. .. ..
Grifter alert
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I kind of feel the same way about many home inspectors. Right out of Marc’s site in providing assurances with their inspection " based on the solid theory that all systems and/or items must meet their intended purpose and be safe." Does an AC system with a faulty AC valve that you didn’t spot but you felt the air supply was cool (all good)… qualify for meeting the intended purpose when it might have 6 mo’s to a year left. General BS on your part…maybe not intended but it is and you guys don’t anything signficiant on AC imho. WHY NOT JUST SAY, “We don’t know anything about AC but it felt cold and I noted some things on the exterior but that doesn’t say much so sorry.” (big bold letters on your inspection report)
Listen, Home inspectors certainly provide value in many areas and I won’t take away from that. However HVAC (home w 2 systems) exceeds cost of roof now and you guys do cursory BS but provide general assurances to prospective buyers. I’d say that’s total BS and it’s funny that you come on here criticizing something that surpasses what you do by 1000%. As for Brian I don’t even know if he has 1000 hours on inspections as advertised. I’d call BS to that one as well. LOL
Need to add disclaimer on that pic EXCEPT ON HVAC … SORRY!
Where are you getting the intended purpose of an inspection is to suggest that there are 6 months left on any system or component in a home?
Brian go back to school. You’re still short a few hours and synapses.
Alex I think it goes back to the fact that the market demands that we are able to offer a no-add-ons-home inspection for a few hundred bucks, at which we spend a handful or or fewer hours looking at EVERYthing in the home. Because of that, most of our standards of practice avoid taking measurements.
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This is where the OP will state that home inspectors are negligent if they do not exceed their standards of practice and use his gadget.
This is where he attacks members and says he is just defending himself.
This is where his ignorance of the industry is illuminated.
The hole keeps getting deeper.
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Tom, I absolutely agree. I wasn’t aware of much of the constraints when I started the thread and I get it that you’re looking at a plethora of detail on a home. My point initially (before knowing the constraints or concerns made Emmanuel and others) was why not do this since it’s quicker and provides more info and value to the prospective owner. All that said, I totally understand more from your viewpoint. As a recent home buyer myself, I wasn’t aware of the limitations but fortunately know how to scrutinize the systems. Saved me from having to buy 2 systems that had faulty valves and were sending back very hot gas to the compressor. All that said, guys like you I am good with and totally understand your view point.
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LOL…Brian you deserve every bit of it LOL
Just a reminder…it was very quickly pointed out to you at the very beginning of this post.
But you didn’t appreciate it. Even thought the information came from inspectors with decades of experience.
Back to your attack. If we do not use your tool, the HI is negligent.
You don’t know squat. You do not respect our most valued members. I called it from the beginning of the post…and here were are.
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Brian run along and go earn those hours LOL
I am having too much fun showing people how you really feel about our industry and its members.
Do you know why that is? Of course not! You are clueless.
We provide specific information in accordance with an agreed-upon standard of practice that you have never read or understood, even in your own home.
That was a good stinger. We were all impressed.
Because you do not understand and are ignorant.
I see a change in your tone. A more humble appreciation. Should have happened days ago. I recall giving you good advice.
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Brian must have brain fog and how old are you again?
