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 Mobile ViewHOME & BUILDING INSPECTORS & INSPECTION METHODS AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS ALUMINUM WIRING HAZARDS & REPAIRS ANIMAL ENTRY POINTS in buildings ANIMAL ODORS IN buildings ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID ASBESTOS FLOOR TILE IDENTIFICATION ASBESTOS REMOVAL, Amateur, Incomplete Asbestos Removal, Certification ASBESTOS REMOVAL GUIDE, FLOORING ASBESTOS REMOVAL, Wetting Guidelines ASBESTOS RISK ASSESSMENT ASHI American Society of Home Inspectors ASHI Certification of Home Inspectors ATTORNEYS and EXPERT WITNESSES ATTIC LEAKS, CONDENSATION & MOLD ATTIC VENTILATION BASEMENT CEILING VAPOR BARRIER BASEMENT HEAT LOSS BUILDING SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE BUILDING SETTLEMENT CHIMNEY INSPECTION DIAGNOSIS REPAIR CHIMNEY INSPECTION & REPAIR GUIDE CHINESE DRYWALL HAZARDS CRAWL SPACES CRAWL SPACE SAFETY ADVICE DECK & PORCH CONSTRUCTION DECK COLLAPSE Case Study DECK FINISHES COATINGS PRESERVATIVES DECK FLASHING LEAKS, ROT Case Study DIRECTORY of BUILDING INSPECTORS DISASTER BUILDING INSPECTION & REPAIR SAFEY DRINKING WATER ELECTRICAL INSPECTION, DIAGNOSIS, REPAIR Electrical Inspection Safety ENERGY SAVINGS in buildings ENVIRONMENTAL HAZARDS - INSPECT, TEST, REMEDY EXTERIORS of buildings EXTERIOR WALL SIDING TRIM & FINISHES Fiberglass hazards in buildings FIBERGLASS INSULATION FIBERGLASS HAZARDS FIBERGLASS INSULATION MOLD FIRE CLEARANCES, Single-Wall Metal Flues FIREPLACES & HEARTHS FLASHING MEMBRANES PEEL & STICK FLASHING for METAL ROOFS FLASHING ROOF WALL DETAILS FLASHING ROOF-WALL SNAFU FLASHING SIDING DETAILS FLASHING WALL DETAILS FLASHING WOOD ROOF DETAILS FLOOD DAMAGE ASSESSMENT, SAFETY & CLEANUP FLOODS IN buildings-priorities FOUNDATION CRACKS & DAMAGE GUIDE FPE Stab-Lok HAZARDS & REPAIRS WEBSITE GAS PIPING, VALVES, CONTROLS GUTTERS & DOWNSPOUTS GLUES ADHESIVES, EXTERIOR CONSTRUCTION HEATING SYSTEMS HOME & BUILDING INSPECTORS & INSPECTION METHODS Advice on Becoming a Home Inspector ASHI Phil Monahon Award BUILDING INSPECTORS DIRECTORY BUILDING DEFECTS LISTS AIR CONDITIONING DEFECTS LIST CHIMNEYS DEFECTS LIST ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DEFECTS LIST EXTERIOR DEFECTS LIST EXTERIOR STRUCTURAL DEFECTS LIST FIREPLACE DEFECTS LIST GARAGE DEFECTS LIST HEAT BOILER GAS DEFECTS LIST HEAT BOILER OIL DEFECTS LIST HEAT, ELECTRIC DEFECTS LIST HEAT PUMP DEFECTS LIST HEAT PUMP SUBSYS DEFECTS LIST HEAT RADIANT DEFECTS LIST HEAT FURNACE GAS DEFECTS LIST HEAT FURNACE OIL DEFECTS LIST HEAT SPACE & FIREPLACE, GAS DEFECTS LIST HEAT STEAM DEFECTS LIST HEAT, WOOD APPLIANCE DEFECTS LIST INSULATION DEFECTS LIST INTERIORS DEFECTS LIST PLUMBING DWV DEFECTS LIST PLUMBING FIXTURE DEFECTS LIST PLUMBING SUPPLY PIPE DEFECTS LIST ROOF FLASHING DEFECTS LIST ROOF LOW SLOPE DEFECTS LIST ROOF STEEP SLOPE DEFECTS LIST SITE DRAINAGE DEFECTS LIST STRUCTURE, FLOOR DEFECTS LIST STRUCTURE, FOUNDATION DEFECTS LIST STRUCTURE, ROOF DEFECTS LIST STRUCTURE, WALL DEFECTS LIST VENTILATION DEFECTS LIST WATER HEATER DEFECTS LIST Checklists vs Narrative Reports Historic Homes, Home Improvement Costs, Research HOME INSPECTOR EDUCATION Home Inspector, How to Become a Home Inspector Skills, Reports Home Inspection Company Franchises Home Inspection Components Master List Home Inspection Definitions & Terms Home Inspection Ethical Codes Home Inspection, How to Get The Most Benefit From Home Inspection Publications Home Inspection Report Writing Guide Home Inspection Safety Hazards HOME INSPECTION STANDARDS HOUSE DOCTOR, how-to be How Much Should You Pay For Professional Services? INSPECTION COMONENTS MASTER LIST Mobile Home Inspection Guide VISUAL PERCEPTION ERRORS HOT WATER HEATERS HOUSE PARTS, DEFINITIONS INDOOR AIR QUALITY IMPROVEMENT GUIDE ICE DAM PREVENTION INSULATION IDENTIFICATION GUIDE INSULATION INSPECTION & IMPROVEMENT Journal of Light Construction - Index 1994 KIT HOMES, Aladdin, Sears, Wards, Others LEAD POISONING HAZARDS GUIDE LEED GREEN BUILDING CERTIFICATION LEED Building Designation & IAQ LIGHTNING PROTECTION SYSTEMS LOG HOME GUIDE MANUALS & PARTS GUIDES - HVAC Mobile Home Inspection Guide MOISTURE CONTROL in BUILDINGS MOISTURE METER STUDY MOLD in buildings MOLD PREVENTION GUIDE MOLD RELATED ILLNESS GUIDE MOLD SAFETY WARNINGS MOLD SPRAYS, SEALANTS, PAINTS MOLD STANDARDS MOLD TESTING SERVICES MSDS Material Safety Data Sheets MVOCs & MOLDY MUSTY ODORS Nanomaterials Hazards NOISE / SOUND DIAGNOSIS & CURE ODORS & SMELLS DIAGNOSIS & CURE OIL TANK PIPING & PIPING DEFECTS OIL TANKS INSPECT LEAK TEST ABANDON REGS PAINT ANALYSIS, DIAGNOSTIC USES PAINT & STAIN GUIDE, EXTERIOR PAINT FALURE, DIAGNOSIS, CURE, PREVENTION PIPING IN buildings, Clogs Leaks Types PLASTER & BEAVERBOARD & DRYWALL PLASTER BULGES & PILLOWS PLASTER LATH, METAL PLASTER, LOOSE FALL HAZARDS PLASTER TYPE IDENTIFICATION PLUMBING SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR PUSHMATIC - BULLDOG PANELS Reports: Checklists vs Narrative ROOFING INSPECTION & REPAIR ROOF VENTILATION SPECIFICATIONS SAFE DECK CONSTRUCTION GUIDE SAFETY HAZARDS & INSPECTIONS SAFETY: Elderly & Veterans Home Safety SAFETY for ELECTRICAL INSPECTORS SAFETY HAZARDS GUIDE Safety for Septic Inspectors Sears Catalog kit homes - how to identify Septic System Safety Hazards SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECT DIAGNOSE REPAIR SIDING, Sheathing Identification - Photo Guide SIDING, ALUMINUM SIDING, ASBESTOS FIBER CEMENT SIDING ASPHALT ROOF SHINGLES on WALLS SIDING ASPHALT SHINGLE or SHEET SIDING DAMAGE by SPLASHBACK SIDING EIFS & STUCCO SIDING, FIBER CEMENT SIDING HARDBOARD SIDING STEEL SIDING VINYL SIDING, WOOD PRODUCT CHOICES SIDING, WOOD INSTALLATION SIDING WOOD, FAILURES OVER FOAM BOARD SIDING WOOD, FLASHING DETAILS SIDING WOOD SHINGLE INSTALLATION SINKHOLES, WARNING SIGNS SLAB CRACK EVALUATION SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS Splits in Structural Wood Beams SQUARE-D RECALLS STAIN & BIODETERIORATION AGENT CATALOG STAINS on buildings - QUICK GUIDE STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING EXTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on BUILDING INTERIORS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on ROOFS STAIN DIAGNOSIS on STONE STAINS on INDOOR SURFACES: PHOTO GUIDE STANDARDS, HOME INSPECTION STAIRS, RAILINGS, LANDINGS, RAMPS STAIR FALL & TRIP HAZARDS STONE CLEANING METHODS STRESS SKIN INSULATED PANELS TANK TYPES: WATER, OIL, EXPANSION, ALL THERMAL TRACKING Indicates Heat Loss VAPOR BARRIERS & HOUSEWRAP VAPOR CONDENSATION & BUILDING SHEATHING VENTILATION in buildings VISUAL PERCEPTION ERRORS WATER ENTRY in buildings WATER HEATERS WATER ODORS, CAUSE CURE WATER PRESSURE & FLOW MEASUREMENT WATER PUMPS, TANKS, TESTS, WELLS, REPAIRS WATER PUMPS & WELLS WATER QUANTITY IMPROVEMENT WATER SOFTENERS & CONDITIONERS WATER TEST CHOICES & WATER TEST FEES WATER TESTS, CONTAMINANTS, TREATMENT WATER TESTING ADVICE WATER TREATMENT EQUIPMENT CHOICES WELLS CISTERNS & SPRINGS WELL CLEARANCES WELL CHLORINATION SHOCKING PROCEDURE WIND ENERGY SYSTEMS WIND TURBINES & LIGHTNING WINDOWS & DOORS Wood Burning Boilers, Furnaces Fireplaces Stoves WOOD ROOF INSPECTION GUIDE ZINSCO / SYLVANIA HAZARDS    More Information |
This article lists significant air conditioning system defects, definitions, and home inspection education topics. This article series, beginning at BUILDING DEFECTS LISTS, provides lists of common building defects and basic defect knowledge that also outline recommended curriculum content for home inspector education. The building defects and inspection points listed in these articles also guide homeowners and home buyers to building areas that merit careful attention and often point areas of safety concern or important maintenance and repair tasks. Readers should see AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS for our complete list of articles on this topic. Also see HOME & BUILDING INSPECTORS & INSPECTION METHODS. Use the Search Box at the top or bottom of these pages to find in-depth information about building, energy savings, and indoor environment inspection, diagnosis and repair at this website. Watch out: these inspection lists do not list all possible defects for the systems discussed, and not all home or building inspectors will examine all of the items listed here. CONTACT us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website. Also see CONDENSATE HANDLING, A/C and DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS These curriculae and building defect lists are based on smilar curriculum documents first prepared by Joe Scaduto, an ASHI member who prepared course material for Northeastern University's Building Inspection Certificate program in 1988, subsequently by DF, InspectApedia's editor, for New York University ca 1988 and later, with others, recommended to ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. ASHI did not adopt this material though currently that association as well as others offer extensive HOME INSPECTOR EDUCATION material. The curriculum and lists of defects are informed by additional analysis of the process of home inspection that was developed beginning Calgary, AB for Canadian and U.S. home inspector education and certification examinations in 1997. Other early contributors to home inspection education in the U.S. and Canada include Dr. Jess Aronstein, Alan Carson, Mike Casey, Mark Cramer, John Cox, Dwight Barnett, Douglas Hansen, Rick Heyl, Larry Hoytt, Bill Merrill, Kevin O'Malley, Dennis Robitalille, Keith Peddie, Pat Porzio, Roger Robinson. © Copyright 2012 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use page top links to major topics or use links at the left of each page to navigate within topics and documents at this website. Green links show where you are in a document series or at this website. Home Inspection Education Curriculum - Air Conditioning5. AIR CONDITIONING AND HEAT PUMPS5.1 Air Conditioning Inspection Requirements5.1.1 Knowledge Base 1. Describe the function of central air conditioning systems. 2. Describe the principle of central air conditioning including refrigerant cycle and heat transfer mechanisms. Describe an operating cycle, explaining the change in temperature, pressure and state of the refrigerant. 3. List the materials and components of a central air conditioning system including the compressor, condenser coil, evaporator coil, condensate system, refrigerant lines, condenser fan, evaporator fan, duct system, thermostat. 4. Describe the operation of an evaporative cooler comparing it to refrigerant based air conditioning systems. Describe an operating cycle. 5. Describe the materials and components of a typical evaporative cooler including air handler, water reservoir, overflow, water makeup valve and float, pump, rotary drum, spray system, drip tube, air filter, cabinet, evaporative pad. 6. Describe the features of adequate installation and repair technique for refrigerant based air conditioning and evaporative coolers. 7. Define the following terms with respect to air conditioning systems: split system, sensible heat, latent heat of vaporization, refrigerant, compressor, whole house fans, vapor-compression refrigeration system (direct expansion, mechanical system), capillary tube, thermostatic expansion valve, seasonal energy efficiency ratio(SEER), one ton of cooling, temperature drop, crankcase heater, rated load amperage (RLA), full load amperage (FLA), receiver, A coil, condensate pump, trap and condensate line, filter/dryer, sight glass, expansion device (metering device), condensate drain pan(tray), auxiliary condensate drain pan(tray), condensate trap, condensate pump, suction line (return line), liquid line, high pressure refrigerant side, low pressure refrigerant side, filter/dryer, duct insulation, swamp cooler, rotary cooler, spray cooler, drip cooler, bleed-off(evaporative cooler), air gap(evaporative cooler), attic fan, whole house fan. 8. Outline the typical life expectancies of the air conditioning systems described above. 9. Identify the codes or standards which apply to the air conditioning systems described above. 5.1.2 Inspection Skills1. Describe the inspection procedure for refrigerant based air conditioning and evaporative coolers. 2. Identify the common defects listed on the next page. 3. Describe the implication of each defect. 4. Identify safety issues for the home inspector and occupant of the home (electric shock, injury due to moving parts). 5. Communicate findings to client verbally and in writing, recommending corrective action where needed. AIR CONDITIONING TYPICAL DEFECTSCAPACITY REFRIGERANT LINES • Oversized • Damaged • Undersized • Leak • Lines too warm or too cold COMPRESSORS • Lines touching each other • Low points or improper slope in lines • Electric wires too small • Missing insulation • Excess electric current draw • Excess noise or vibration EXPANSION DEVICES - TE Valves • Inadequate cooling • Inoperative • Capillary tube crimped, disconnected, leaking • Missing electrical shutoff • Thermostatic expansion valve loose, clogged, sticking • Out of level • Running continuously CONDENSER FANS • Short cycling • Wrong fuse or breaker size • Corrosion • Dirty AIR COOLED CONDENSER COILS • Excess noise or vibration • Inoperative • Clothes dryer or water heater • Mechanical damage exhaust too close • Corrosion • Obstructed airflow • Damaged • Dirty EVAPORATOR FANS WATER COOLED CONDENSER COILS • Corrosion • Damage • Cooled by pool water • Dirty • Leak • Dirty or missing filter • No water • Excess noise or vibration • No backflow preventer • Inoperative • Misadjustment of belt or pulleys EVAPORATOR COILS • Undersized • Corrosion DUCT SYSTEMS • Damage • Dirty • Dirty • Frost • Disconnected or leaking • No access to coil • Humidifier damper missing • Temperature split too low • Incomplete • Temperature split too high • Obstructed or collapsed • Top of coil dry • Poor support • Poor balancing CONDENSATE SYSTEMS • Supply or return registers– obstructed • Dirt in pan • Supply or return registers – poor location • Inappropriate pan slope • Supply or return registers – too few • No float switch • Undersized • No auxiliary pan • Weak airflow • Pan not well secured • Pan cracked DUCT INSULATION • Pan leaking or overflowing • Rust or holes in pan • Incomplete • Missing DUCT VAPOR BARRIERS CONDENSATE PUMPS • Damaged • Inoperative • Missing • Leaking • Poor wiring CONDENSATE DRAIN LINES THERMOSTATS • Blocked or crimped • Disconnected, missing • Damaged • Improper discharge point • Dirty • Leaking, damaged, split • Inoperative • No trap • Loose • Not level • Poor adjustment or calibration • Poor location EVAPORATIVE COOLER Defect List• Cabinet or ducts not weathertight • Cabinet too close to grade • Clogged pads • Duct problems • Electrical problems • Excess noise or vibration • Leaking • Louvers obstructed • Missing or dirty air filter • No water • No air gap on water supply • Poor support for pump and water system • Pump or fan inoperative • Rust, mold and mildew WHOLE HOUSE FAN Defect List• Excess noise or vibration • Inadequate attic venting • Inoperative Readers should see AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS for our complete list of articles on this topic. Also see HOME & BUILDING INSPECTORS & INSPECTION METHODS. Use the Search Box at the top or bottom of these pages to find in-depth information about building, energy savings, and indoor environment inspection, diagnosis and repair at this website. Watch out: these inspection lists do not list all possible defects for the systems discussed, and not all home or building inspectors will examine all of the items listed here. CONTACT us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website. Also see CONDENSATE HANDLING, A/C and DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS Questions & Answers regarding this article. Ask a Question or Search InspectAPediaHTML Comment Box is loading comments...
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