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Wyckoff, NJ
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Dallas, TX
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 A/C in cold weather
[#2] Posted: 01/31/2012 - 12:08:37 PM |  |  |
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My local HVAC guys and manufacturers have always "strongly suggested" not running them when ambient air temp is below 60-degrees.
If it were me I would "not" be running them.
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Cheers,
Nolan E. Kienitz
Nolan's Inspections, LLC
Dallas Home Inspections
http://www.NolansInspections.com
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Ridgewood, NJ
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A/C in cold weather
[#3] Posted: 01/31/2012 - 12:11:14 PM | | |
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Why three days?
The A/C at my house has been operated at temperatures under 50 degrees several times without any problem, so far. Scroll compressor.
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Neal Lewis
www.totalhomeinspectionservices.com |
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Kenmore, WA
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A/C in cold weather
[#4] Posted: 01/31/2012 - 12:16:46 PM | | |
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I'd refuse to do it.
If you go out there, run the system and it breaks down immediately or even later on they'll blame you and say you should have known better.
Have the client insist that the seller call an HVAC tech to see if an HVAC tech is willing to do it. If an HVAC tech is willing to do it and screws it up he'll be the one holding the bag, not you.
There isn't enough margin in this business to risk wiping out all of the profit from an inspection by doing something foolhardy just to be the nice guy.
ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!
Mike
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Wyckoff, NJ
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A/C in cold weather
[#6] Posted: 01/31/2012 - 1:02:35 PM | | |
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If it's a scroll compressor, I wouldn't be concerned. If it's piston, I would not operate it unless above 6o degrees or at/above the manufacturers warning. Some manufacturers state 65 degrees.
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| Bill Kibbel, Historic & Commercial Building Inspections - Old House Resources |
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Lafayette, Louisiana
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Wyckoff, NJ
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A/C in cold weather
[#8] Posted: 01/31/2012 - 3:08:45 PM | | |
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I've already let them know that I am not willing to take the chance and used Mike's recommendation that the seller can make good.
The buyer wanted me to put in the need for a $10k escrow to cover the three units if they should fail (installed 2002) to provide adequate cooling when needed. I told them that that is the attorney's job. They informed me that the attorney told them to tell me to put that in the final report. I said no.
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Kenmore, WA
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Severna Park, Maryland
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Lafayette, Louisiana
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A/C in cold weather
[#11] Posted: 01/31/2012 - 7:25:27 PM | | |
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If you can't see any markings that identify it as scroll, take a look at the compressor. Scrolls are taller and slimmer like nephews and nieces, piston units are short and fat, like in-laws.
Marc
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"If Guam gets too overpopulated, it might tip over."
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Severna Park, Maryland
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Dallas, GA
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A/C in cold weather
[#13] Posted: 02/01/2012 - 10:37:26 AM | | |
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If you were to run it and something goes wrong I bet your E & O will not protect you......
I just say no almost all winter long.
Most buyers understand it once you explain it to them.
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| Tim M. |
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Kenmore, WA
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A/C in cold weather
[#14] Posted: 02/01/2012 - 10:51:28 AM | | |
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We made it real simple here:
WAC 308-408C-130(2)(e) Air conditioning systems
The inspector is not required to operate cooling system components if the exterior temperature is below sixty degrees Fahrenheit or when other circumstances are not conducive to safe operation or when doing so might damage the equipment.
ONE TEAM - ONE FIGHT!!!
Mike
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Sykesville, Maryland
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A/C in cold weather
[#15] Posted: 02/02/2012 - 06:47:57 AM | | |
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What do you do with a heat pump, same rule? Don't run in cooling mode under 60-65, what about a limit for running in the heat mode?
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| "your home inspector shoulda seen that, hon." |
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Lafayette, Louisiana
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Spring Hill (Nashville area), Tennessee
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Sykesville, Maryland
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A/C in cold weather
[#18] Posted: 02/02/2012 - 3:57:57 PM | | |
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Thanks Marc, that's pretty much what I do, I was just curious if there is a specific temperature above which manufacturers recommend you don't use the heat mode, and why.
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| "your home inspector shoulda seen that, hon." |
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Dallas, GA
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A/C in cold weather
[#19] Posted: 02/03/2012 - 05:11:41 AM | | |
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Quote: Originally posted by ScottpatQuote: Originally posted by Tim Maxwell
If you were to run it and something goes wrong I bet your E & O will not protect you......
I just say no almost all winter long.
Most buyers understand it once you explain it to them.
Correct, E&O would not cover it. But, your GL insurance would kick in for the coverage. G&L takes care of things you break and E&O takes care of the things you miss or your client thinks you missed!
Right, I had that wrong. But what I was thinking is that the GL may not cover it if they were to investigate a little and found out you ran the system when you were not supposed to.
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| Tim M. |
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Alexandria, Virginia
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A/C in cold weather
[#20] Posted: 03/14/2012 - 11:07:47 PM | | |
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Im curious, how do you guys "check" ac units?
A good tech can test ac as low as 55 ambient using superheat and subcooling methods and i prefer digital gauges, while monitoring refrigerant state.
But units shouldnt be operated "normally" or for extended periodsnof time below 60 ambient to avoid liquid slugging
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Lafayette, Louisiana
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Eureka, CA
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A/C in cold weather
[#22] Posted: 03/19/2012 - 1:31:42 PM | | |
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What is the problem with running a HP in heat mode in the summer?
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| Denny Waters |
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Lafayette, Louisiana
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