Where does DON"T test below 60 or 65 degrees come from … Anybody in business over 6 months OR that took ANY type of formal HI schooling was taught this; IF you read the state SoP of MANY states; the SoP of many National HI Associations; or read MANY manufacturers instruction manuals … You already know this.
IF you picked up clipboard and flashlight and started walking and talking, you probablt don’t know it.
David, Your going to have to direct me to that one…
If he is using a refrigeration compressor, he and all of his inspectors had better be certified by the EPA or they may end up in jail. Or at least cut into that million dollars they make!
The EPA fine is based on the size of your business. They do their best to put the hurt on you!
David A. -
What they’re doing is probably what we did 20 years ago … Put cardboard or tarp over O/S condensor to artificially raise operating pressures.
Thats one thing for service tech BUT whole different liability for HI.
“Oh yes your honor I’m the listing agent, selling agent, seller or whatever AND although the 27 other inspectors and 5 licensed A/C techs we talked to said he SHOULD NOT have run it … AND when we checked with the inspectors state OR association SoP those also said that was a NO / NO”.
“BUT Mr. DumbButt home inspector put a tarp over our AC unit outside and ran the unit in 41 degree weather anyway”
“Then a week later when the buyers moved in” …
At which time Mr Inspector OR his insurance company will be FORKING out $$$$$$$$$. Some of our guys just NEVER learn.
Oh well stupid is as stupid does.
Yes blocking the condenser without knowing the pressures can produce a close facsimile of “Old Faithful”.
odd change observation
for those that don’t have the inachi property inspection report notebook 1/1008 their typo not mine probably meant 01/2008
2.5 Cooling
II. The inspector is not required to:
C. Operate equipment or systems if exterior temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit or where other circumstances are not conducive to safe operation or may damage the equipment
don’t know why or when the unnecessary change came about to the current inachi sop 65 degrees Fahrenheit
i guess the older guys were doing it wrong for all these years
odd change to sop from 60 to 65 degrees F
for those that don’t have the older inachi property inspection report notebook 1/1008
guess older guys were doing it wrong for the last 1003 years
My NACHI & NAHI say 60 degrees / OLD ones of ASHI (1984-1988) said 60.
So I use 60 degrees
Dan, that’s a given for those with advanced experience
but the newbies are going by different sop than what we were fed, possibly the reason for confusion within this assoc.
typo or blatant change of old sop someone should clarify
on the inachi sop page Last revised 10/19/11
3.5. Cooling
I. The inspector shall inspect:
1. the central cooling equipment using normal operating controls.
II. **The inspector is not required to:**
1. determine the uniformity, temperature, flow, balance, distribution, size, capacity, BTU, or supply adequacy of the cooling system.
2. inspect window units, through-wall units, or electronic air filters.
3. **operate equipment or systems if the exterior temperature is below 65° Fahrenheit**, or when other circumstances are not conducive to safe operation or may damage the equipment.
4. inspect or determine thermostat calibration, cooling anticipation, or automatic setbacks or clocks.
5. examine electrical current, coolant fluids or gases, or coolant leakage.
Dan, that’s a given for those with advanced knowledge & experience
but the newbies are going by different sop than what this assoc started with, possibly the reason for confusion within this assoc.
typo or blatant change ofold sop someone should clarify
on the inachi sop page Last revised 10/19/11
3.5. Cooling
I. The inspector shall inspect:
1. the central cooling equipment using normal operating controls.
II. **The inspector is not required to:**
1. determine the uniformity, temperature, flow, balance, distribution, size, capacity, BTU, or supply adequacy of the cooling system.
2. inspect window units, through-wall units, or electronic air filters.
3. **operate equipment or systems if the exterior temperature is below 65° Fahrenheit**, or when other circumstances are not conducive to safe operation or may damage the equipment.
4. inspect or determine thermostat calibration, cooling anticipation, or automatic setbacks or clocks.
5. examine electrical current, coolant fluids or gases, or coolant leakage.Well they just need to get with you and my program then.
Greg
Here’s something to consider.
I confirm every booking by E-mail. This line is part of that E-mail
“If the outdoor temperature is less than 18C, central air conditioning
systems cannot be operated without damaging the compressor unit. In
the winter, snow covered surfaces cannot be inspected.”
That way clients have a chance to get used to the limitations before hand and they don’t present a problem at the inspection.
Just warn the prospective homeowners that if they buy a house in the winter time, they might not know if the AC is working correctly until it is too late. File that one under “lessons learned the hard way” lol.
We get a fair share of mild to unseasonably warm days in winter where I live, and that’s when my business gets a ton of requests for pre-purchase inspections. 
I like this explanation … good wording 