TOPIC: What's Wrong With This Picture... I Mean Heat Pump?

"Must See the Newly Renovated Basement!"

So said the marketing info on the kitchen counter in the house I arrived to inspect.

I could hardly wait!  OK, when I see things like that, lately anyway, I kind of cringe.

When I enter houses for inspections, I begin by turning things on.  The dishwasher, washer, dryer, AC or furnace, and so forth.  Obviously I test 'em!

The house was kind of cold.  Not unusual, sometimes the listing agents leave the heat low, especially after the house has a contract on it.  So I found the thermostat and turned on the heat.

No reaction.

No sound.

No click, grind, buzz.  Or heat.

No nothing.

Maybe it's turned off at the panel box?  I checked.  Nope, the breaker was on.  So what could it be?

I found the heat pump.

And this is what I saw.

The label states that this heat pump was manufactured a mere three years ago.  Already it doesn't work.

Can you tell me why?  It's OK, I'll wait.

Hint: the old heat pump was of a different era and configuration.  They took the white AC condensate line off that old one and used it on this one.  I guess to save time and money.



I'm still waiting...



THAT'S RIGHT!  Ding, ding, ding!!  The condensate line blocks the filter's ability to come out for washing or replacement.  This filter is a washable, high efficiency filter.  It captures everything.  And it really should be washed every month!  If not, it will clog quickly.

This one was so clogged it had the density of a brick.  I think that broke the unit.  So much for saving time and money...

My recommendation: If you see or hear that a house you will be showing your clients is newly remodeled, ask a couple of questions.  A good question to start would be:  "Gee, was it done professionally?" and/or "Was there a permit pulled to do the work?"  If not, caveat emptor!

Yikes. I love your posts Jay that start with "Must See the Newly Renovated....."

Nice find Jay, I agree with the newly renovated statement, I had one the other day(statement from realtor) "home owners were transferred and the company moved them. The company got an inspection and repaired all item's, there should be no issues, I don't know why the client wants an inspection, but they do"

I ended up with a list of things from plumbing leaks to toilet with almost no support(floor joist had been cut to allow for plumbing, both sides of joists were bowing bad). Master bathroom fan had never discharged out of attic. It was buried by original insulation.(1980 home) Not sure who inspected, or maybe the home was in terrible shape and this is what was left??

Davin - I have heard that a lot.  Those relo inspections are a simple check-off-the-boxes list that they pay pennies for and the inspectors are in and out.  For people to say, as I have heard, that we "had an inspection," is superficial at best.  They do not understand what the word inspection means.  Our inspections are a bit more in depth.

Further, the listing agents are upset when I find things that the other inspection did not turn up and they begin blaming me for them and for "trying" to find stuff.  Like I am the cause of the problems...