Inspection Training

How to Inspect the Thermostat for the Cooling Section

  • March 5, 2018
  • MichaelTest KeilyTest
  • Cooling

Once the inspector moves to the inside of the property they will inspect the thermostat for the cooling system. It is important to make sure that it is not damaged and is secured properly to the wall. Please review the entire procedure below.

NACHI SOP

International Standards of Practice for Performing a General Home Inspection

 

3.5. Cooling

 

I. The inspector shall inspect:

A. The cooling system, using normal operating controls.

 

II. The inspector shall describe:
A. The location of the thermostat for the cooling system.

 

III. The inspector shall report as in need of correction:

A. Any cooling system that did not operate.
B. If the cooling system was deemed inaccessible.

 

IV. The inspector is not required to:

D. Inspect or determine thermostat calibration, cooling anticipation, or automatic setbacks or clocks.

 

Axium SOP Differences

Axium Requires: Same as NACHI Standards of Practice.

 

Tools Needed

No tools required to inspect the Thermostat and Normal Operating Controls.

 

Procedure

  • Once you find the location of thermostat you want to make sure that it is operating properly and take a clear picture of it showing what the settings are at before turning on the air conditioning. It is important that this picture is very clear. This can also be the first picture that you take for the heating system thermostat section.

Common Defects

  • The thermostat door is missing or damaged.
  • The thermostat is broken, damaged, missing, or did not operate properly.
  • The thermostat was not fastened securely to the wall.
  • The thermostat was too close to the exterior, register, or window.

Common Mistakes

  • Not setting the thermostat back to the original setting after operating the air conditioning.
  • Not checking the thermostat for any damage.
  • Not making sure the location of the thermostat is in a suitable location.

 

Report / Software

IN
  • The air conditioning was controlled by [word 1] [word 2] thermostat(s). The thermostat(s) was installed at a location in the property, which appears to be adequate to operate the HVAC system efficiently. The thermostat(s) was fastened securely to the wall, activated the HVAC unit, and appeared to be in serviceable condition.
    • Count
      • 1
      • 2
      • 3
      • A
    • Type:
      • Programmable
      • Manual

NI
  • The thermostat for the air conditioning system was not tested because the outside temperature was below 65 degrees F and to test it would risk damaging the compressor. The system should be serviced at the beginning of every cooling season.

NP
  • There was not a thermostat installed for the air conditioning system at time of inspection. A qualified contractor should evaluate and replace as necessary.

RR
  • The air conditioning was controlled by [word 1] [word 2] thermostat(s). The thermostat was installed [word 3]. The thermostat [word 4].
    • Count:
      • 1
      • 2
      • 3
      • A
    • Type:
      • Programmable
      • Manual
    • Location:
      • OK
      • Too Close to Exterior
      • Too Close to Window
    • Condition
      • Door (Missing or Damaged)
      • Was Broken, Damaged, or Did Not Operate
      • Was Fastened Securely to the Wall
      • Was Missing at the Time of the Inspection
      • Was Not Fastened Securely to the Wall

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