TOPIC: Age Chart for HVAC

Anyone else having a problem getting to the chart? hisearch.org/hvac.aspx this says

"Not Found

The requested URL /hvac.aspx was not found on this server."

Their whole site is down: hisearch.org/

Bummer, I hope it is not permanent. This is/was the best age chart referance that I was currently using.

Here is a functional link for the age chart.

http://hisearch.web.officelive.com/hvac.aspx

I have only one question: I am not pointing fingers at anyone, but who the hell cares what the age is the equipment is?

You have no idea how it has been used or maintained...

HI: the unit is 20yrs old.
Client: So, isn't it supposed to last forever? Is it working now?
HI: Yes it is working now, but it's old...
Client: So, how long is it going to last?
HI: I can't tell you that. 5 years or 5 min... (Till I get out of the driveway?)
Client: So why did I hire you? What good are you?
HI: Well Sir/Mam; I'm not a licensed HVAC Guy and I'm just trying to get your business by telling you I can inspect HVAC equipment (even though I only took an INACHI course on line).
Oh, OK. That's fine.......  I;m not paying a Mechanical Contractor to do that work. You work for much less....
But remember; if it fails in the next 3 yrs., I'll be all over your "Junk"!!!...

Dave

The reason I post the approximate ages of equipment is for typical life expectancy of similiar equipment.

Like if the home has a heat pump and the exterior unit is 15 years old. I typically state the average life is 10-15 years. Depending on type and if being serviced annually.

Kind of like a roof, we state the approximate age of the covering

Being that I am not an HVAC specialist I note this in my report.

I simple run the systems in heating or cooling mode depending on outside temps.
I look for records of maintenace, if none is found I recommend a system clean and check.

I also state that heat exchangers can only be inspected properly with a color camera scope, or preferably with a UV dye and special camera.

A CO test should be performed at the end of the checkup to ensure proper combustion.

Both of these are outside the scope of a general inspection. That is me a generalist.

I run the thremostat, check sequence of operation, check filters and other visible components.

So I document the ages for typical life expectancies.