JEuriech

When we derate cables due to bundling, what would be an acceptable repair? Take out a 20 amp breaker and replace it with a 15 amp breaker? What would you do for #14 wire? Would the only repair be to separate the cables? Thanks Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

Mike, Great information! Thanks. Jeff

Mike Yes, it was. Steel frame with a one coat stucco. Here is a picture looking down into the inside wall from the attic. Image Insert: 180.18 KB Jeff

I inspected a 1997 house yesterday that had a metal truss system in the attic. Is there a name for this system and is there anything special that I should be looking for? Thanks Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona Image Insert: 186.7 KB

Mike I don't think I have ever heard of this before. What would you define as being cold? Under 32 degrees? Where might I find information about the requirement for all B vent? Thanks Jeff

I only got 40 out of 50 correct. I wonder how often I make the same mistakes on my report? Maybe, it's time to go back to school. Jeff http://www.grammarbook.com/grammar_quiz ... retest.asp

The air conditioning length of tubing and or number of elbows determine the size of the piping. Example: Thermo Pride Model AC13241A1 calls for 3/4" tubing suction line on 0-50" total length. For 50-75 length it is 7/8" and for 75-100' it is 1 1/8". With all the excessive tubing being used, I would not think that you could get the full air conditioning rating from that system. It would not run efficiently plus you would need additional refrigerant. Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona http://www.thermopride.com/Manuals/13_SEERAC_I&O.pdf

Chad You have already made reference to, "when this goes to court". Have you already contacted your home inspector and expressed your concerns with him? Has he had an opportunity before any repair work has been done to come out and look at the cracks? If not, this would be step 1. All home inspectors in Arizona have to follow the state's Standards of Practice. You can read a copy at the following web address: http://www.btr.state.az.us/regulations/ ... ectors.asp Please note 3.1 General limitations: A. Inspections done in accordance with these Standards are visual, not technically exhaustive and will not identify concealed conditions or latent defects. Also, you may want to go the Arizona Registrar of Contractors web site and download the Workmanship Standards for Licensed Contractors. This will give you an idea of the type of cracks that are acceptable on NEW homes. Keep in mind that you said your house was over 20 years old and additional settlement occurred after the inspection. http://www.azroc.gov/Downloads_menu.html The Natural Resources Conservation Service web site has information on shrink/swell potential soils. http://www.az.nrcs.usda.gov/ I don't think anyone can decide if these are minor or major cracks by looking at some pictures on the Internet. I would recommend that you talk with your home inspector first, or maybe get a second opinion from another home inspector familiar with the area. Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

Are they both the same SEER rating? Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

Fire Sprinkler Systems I am starting to see more fire sprinkler systems in new homes. I currently do nothing with sprinkler systems and I disclaim them in my report. However, I do open up the fire sprinkler panel and check for missing insulation, if the panel is on the inside of an exterior wall. (also look for any obvious water leaks) Recently, I have found the water pressure gauge inside the panel to read around 100 psi while the incoming water pressure to the house was only at 75 psi. I curious as to why the sprinkler system is at a higher pressure? There are no pumps on the system and it is only fed by city water. Are these systems tested at a higher pressure when they are installed? Are pressures the same on a wet pipe and dry pipe systems? Thanks Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

Concrete Questions If there was no expansion joint between the back of a house and a concrete patio slab, would this be called out as a defect? (only one side/face of the slab touching the house) On a new house, if three sides of the patio slab was touching the house with no expansion joint, I assume this would be a defect because there is no room for expansion. (damage may occur) If it was a five year old house with no signs of cracking, would you still call it out as a defect? In the summertime, how much will concrete expand, say for a 20' section of driveway? Are we talking like a 1/4" or something a lot more? Thanks Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

I think Jim and Kurt pretty much hit the nail on the head. The key word being stratification or different temperature layers of air in a room. I have been in rooms with no air movement before that the temperature of air at the floor was 68 degrees while the ceiling temperature was close to 80 degrees. In the ideal world, in cooling mode, the air can enter from the ceiling or the floor. However, the return should be at or close to the ceiling to pull the hot air away. (heat rises) In heating mode, the air can enter from the ceiling or the floor. However, the return should be at or close to the floor to pull the cold air away. (cold settles) It is not practical to have two different returns for air conditioning and heating so a compromise has to be made. I think it depends on what is your primary season. Heating or cooling? If in heating mode, your supply air is from the ceiling and your return also in the ceiling, you will have stratification. Sometimes a simple solution would be to add a ceiling fan and run it on slow speed to help keep the air mixed up. The fan would be put in reverse to blow the air up towards the ceiling. In regular mode it would blow down and create a draft. You also may be able to increase the timer on the blower to keep it running longer after the furnace kicks off. This would help keep the air moving better. Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

You can try the Cabinet Makers Association after they get their new web site up and running. http://www.cabinetmakers.org/

Bonnie, The concrete may be from an old windmill, however I have never seen a windmill in that area. If I was to guess, I would think it's a mount from an irrigation pump. More than likely there is an old well in the area. Some old pumps are driven by windmill, however it could be electric. You may want to call Arizona Blue Stake and have them come out and check the area first. http://www.azbluestake.com/main/main/index.html Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

Carrier Data See page 39, System design summary, #3. Maximum outdoor operating air temperature is 125°F (51.7°C). http://www.xpedio.carrier.com/idc/group ... xa-7pd.pdf Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

Try the following web sites: http://www.refrigerationbasics.com/800x600/rb1.htm http://www.refrigerationbasics.com/800x ... pumps1.htm http://members.tripod.com/~jbabs714/acrefrig.htm http://www.free-ed.net/free-ed/ Look under refrigeration Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

If I was to guess, I would think that the type of metering device would determine how well the refrigerant was balanced going to each evaporator. If both metering devices had a fixed orifice, then I would suspect that you would have great difficulty balancing the refrigerant. If both metering devices had thermostatic expansion valves, I don't think you would have a problem balancing both units. I would also be concerned with the size of the evaporators versus the condenser. You have two 1 1/2 ton evaporators (3 tons total) and only a 2 ton capacity condenser. You have the ability to absorb more heat then the condenser can get rid of. I would think that you would now have an unbalanced system that would not run very efficient. Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

Terry If in your above example of 80 degrees there is no difference in heating or cooling mode, why do I always have a different temperature split in different modes? My Delta T is always higher in heating mode. There must be a difference between the two modes. I would highly recommend that everyone follow the manufacture's installation guidelines in order to stay out of trouble. Here are some examples: Per Carrier Heat Pump Owner's Manual, "Do Not Operate Below 55 Degrees on Cooling Mode" or "Do Not Operate Above 66 Degrees on Heating Mode". Click here: http://www.croppmetcalfe.com/pdf/om25-2.pdf Per Carrier Heat Pump Installation and Start-Up Instructions - The minimum outdoor operating ambient in cooling mode without additional accessories is 55°F, and the maximum outdoor operating ambient in cooling mode is 125°F. The maximum outdoor operating ambient in heating mode is 66°F. http://www.xpedio.carrier.com/idc/group ... SESSION=NO Per Goettl Heat Pump Installation & Operating Instructions - Do not operate this unit at outdoor temperatures below 60°F on cooling nor above 75°F on heating. http://www.goettlmanufacturing.com/manu ... 9-0505.pdf Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

Fritz You have E-mail. Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

Arizona ASHI has been working on a Pool & Spa Standards of Practice. You can read their information here: http://www.azashi.com/ or go to http://www.azashi.com/Adapted5-09-07Poo ... actice.pdf and http://www.azashi.com/Adopted5-9-07Pool ... cklist.pdf My goal has been to switch and use their Standards of Practice even it is not official as of yet. Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

In Arizona, our information comes from the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Maybe your state has the same set up. http://www.az.nrcs.usda.gov/technical/s ... swell.html Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

Try page 14...... http://products.geappliances.com/ProdCo ... DSXH43GAWW http://products.geappliances.com/ProdCo ... DSXH43GFWW

GE Dryer Owners Manual & Installation Instructions say: LOCATION OF YOUR DRYER Do Not Install the Dryer: 1. Do not install the dryer in an area exposed to dripping water or outside weather conditions. 2. Do not install the dryer in an area where it will come in contact with curtains, drapes or anything that will obstruct the flow of combustion and ventilation air. 3. Do not install the dryer on carpet. Floor MUST be solid with a maximum slope of 1" (2.54 cm). I didn't see anything in the Carpet Installation Standards Residential Carpet Installation Standards http://www.carpet-rug.org/pdf_word_docs/105.pdf Commercial Carpet Installation Standards http://www.carpet-rug.org/pdf_word_docs/104.pdf Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

Most of the time, I find a piece of paper stapled by the hot water heater or just inside the attic access with the insulation information. R-30 is 8.1". Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona

See comment 9 and 10. http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/t ... 15458.html This may be good for looking at heat exchangers. Popular Mechanics is saying that the price is around $239. Jeff Euriech Peoria Arizona