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Air Conditioning Testing

By
Home Inspector with New Jersey Home Inspection

The simple way to test an air conditioning system to determine if it is functional is to wait for a 24 hour period when the exterior temperature is above 65 F degrees.  Testing air conditoinig units when it is much cooler out can eitehr burn out the compresser as it tries to compress liquid referigerant or yeild a false result.

If they system is not producing a 15 to 20 degree difference between the air coming out the registers and that going back into the return the system is not functioning properly. 

Contracry to what you may hear adding refrigerent to a system is not normal, it is a sign of a potentially serious leak that can be very expensive to cure.

If you do not get the 15 to 20 degree F temperature drop the next step is to have the air conditioning system   cleaned, adjusted, repaired and tested by a qualified person.  The service person must be asked to provide certification no refrigerant leaks exist, that the system is operating effectively after the necessary corrective action has been taken, or perform the necessary replacement(s), prior to expiration of your inspection contingency.

Comments(2)

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Gayle Fujita Ramsey Mike Fujita
Green Realty Group (808) 388-1485 - Honolulu, HI
(S) RA SFR ePro MRP
Testing the AC in Hawaii is never a problem!  Did you know that there are VERY FEW like maybe NO homes with heaters in them on Oahu?  If there are, I have never seen one.
Mar 19, 2008 09:57 AM
Michael Del Greco
New Jersey Home Inspection - Woodland Park, NJ
Since 1993 I've Been Working For NJ Home Buyers

Why heat a home in the tropics?

 

I have not made it to Hawaii yet but understand it is a place on earth like no other.

Apr 24, 2009 07:36 AM