To those of you that see electric heat, do you also call this out? I see this once in a while on new construction.
Heat strip installed in the AHU is not on the approved list.
Not sure, but I’d say that’s probably above and beyond the SOP. Just my opinion though
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I had never really thought about it, until a city inspector brought it to my attention a couple months ago on another home. But he was asking my opinion about it as well.
Here is the comment I use, I was just curious if anyone had experience and knew what the repercussions could be:
“Air handler has a heat strip package installed, but it does not appear to be on the unit’s approved list.
Recommend hvac contractor verify that this package is approved for electrical safety and longevity”
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I have to admit i never thought about checking individual components on a new construction hvac system other than checking to see i the a coil matched with the condenser…
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I believe the installed # is a Tutco part, maker of OEM accessories, which cross references the Carrier part # KFCEH2401C05 (the KFCEHxx01C05 is listed on that label).
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I dont want you commenting on my posts… 
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I would NOT say anything in my report, without first calling the furnace company… might be a cross reference or later addition to the approved list…
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point taken !!! 
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A follow-up to @ddagostino I found this.
If the unit is still under warranty, which would not matter anyway because the replacement will come from the manufacturer…
So what is the beef about here?
Just some info;
Electric air handlers don’t come with a heat kit. It is added.
Depending on your geographical region and house system designs, the kit can be from none, to the BTU / CFM capability of the equipment. They can be single stage to multistaged kits. You can have 5kw on stage one (W1) of the thermostat and more added on W2 when it gets too cold for the 5kw to maintain set point temp.
Why would you call out something that someone else that knows is what is needed? Do you know the difference between numbers?
We do realize that the heat kit is nothing more than a toaster, right?
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Yes, I know that. Which is why I posted the question.
If The air handler has a list of “approved heaters”, then wouldn’t that imply that these are the only ones that they “recommend” be installed?
If it is a matter of just trying to sell their own equipment, that’s one thing. If it is a safety or efficiency issue, that’s another.
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No.
Again, No.
Efficiency issue
You get 3.412 Btu / watt. Regardless.
Have you found a way to get more per watt?
It is already 100% efficient heating. Just costs a lot. You pay for efficiency, right?
Again, it’s just a toaster…
Thanks for the replies. So why do you think they have a list of “approved” heat strips?
Not always. I primarily use an electric plenum heater in my rural MN home. It is on the load control program so the electricity it uses is deeply discounted. It is cheaper than my other two options, fuel oil and propane, most of the time. They rarely control load during winter, but you have to have a backup system in case they do. In my case, I have a fuel oil furnace as backup.
Around here, nearly everything is electric heat strip or heat pump, because we only have to use it for a couple weeks out of the year. (and usually just at night) 
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It’s a valid question and I think David answered it. I would pass on David’s answer to the city inspector. I have had city inspectors ask me what I think about this or that a couple of times. You’d think that the city inspector would have done his/her own research since they are the law and their decisions can add big $$$ to a job.
I rarely see heat pumps and gotta say that I would have never tried to match up those numbers, so kudos to you for paying attention.
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