The inspector could not test the central AC because the temperature was below 65º & he said it could ruin the system. Now its a month after I purchased the condo, and summer is in full swing, so for the first time tried to turn on the AC. It sounded like it was on, you could hear noise from the return vents... but no air was coming out of all the other vents. I had it on for over like an hour and no change in room temp. Is there something i'm missing here? Is this totally my responsibility now that the closing is done? I dont feel its fair since it could not be tested during the inspection, and the previous homeowner need said something was wrong with it. Any suggestions would be much appreciated!
2007-07-10 10:09:50 · 8 answers · asked by dcyphercrew 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
The inspector could not test the central AC because the temperature was below 65º & he said it could ruin the system. Now its a month after I purchased the condo, and summer is in full swing, so for the first time tried to turn on the AC. It sounded like it was on, you could hear noise from the return vents... but no air was coming out of all the other vents. I had it on for over like an hour and no change in room temp. Is there something i'm missing here? Is this totally my responsibility now that the closing is done? I dont feel its fair since it could not be tested during the inspection, and the previous homeowner need said something was wrong with it.
**THANK YOU ALL for answering my question. Alot of you made some very valid points & great suggestions. I have contacted my real estate agent, and she is going to try to find out if this was an existing issue. I also talked to a friend who does HVAC repairs, he's gonna check the system on Thursday. Will keep you all updated. THX!
2007-07-11 02:12:32 · update #1
I sure see a lot of finger pointing here, get the inspector, get the seller, get the realtor he got a percentage, get the insurance company.
Back up a little, no it isn't fair: the seller might have known there was a problem last year (summer) the inspector should have noted on the inspection that the unit was not checked because of the weather. if not then he is not a very good inspector, but he was YOUR inspector. The realtor should have a disclosure statement where the seller listed any problems of which he was aware, but you and I know he probably filled out the statement in the fall or winter when he wasn't using the unit. The fact of the matter is, its broke and if you want to stay cool it will have to be repaired. Start there, get it repaired. Then you will know what the problem is and what it cost to have it repaired. Then you can start pointing fingers. Rest assured the seller did not sell the house because the air was broken. A realtor did not keep it a secret on purpose for the very reason mentioned before he got a piece of the action and I promise you he earned it and thru the years he has bought lots of repairs, light bulbs, garage door opener remotes and list is long and extensive. The inspector has found lots of problems that would not have been found otherwise. The bottom line is you have your house and now that you know the repair bill, at it's absolute worst you still want to have it repaired. It may be low on freon, or a breaker may be thrown. If the bill is a big one (compressor or a-coil) then ask the realtor to go back to the seller and see if he can get you some help. Don't get mad even if he can't, this is just one of those life lessons, you are wiser now than before.
2007-07-10 16:03:39 · answer #1 · answered by goodforwho 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
To put it simply, you have just been screwed, and if I were in your shoes, I would go back to the inspection company and demand they fix the unit, as there is no reason why the system could not be checked at 65deg, none,
I have installed many, many systems at or below 65deg and started and gave them a complete test. Granted, the system results will vary some with that temperature, but it will function.
There are many days during the spring and fall where the outside temperature might be that low, but due to the sun the inside temp requires the use of the air conditioner, and I have yet to see a problem. This guy is obviously not qualified to do a complete inspection.
Now for the possible causes of what you describe.
You hear something running but no air is coming out of the vents? Did you check to see if the fan is running or just the motor? if it's a belt drive then mabye the belt is broke, or off the pulley, and if a direct drive and it's running, then it's possible the coil is plugged with dirt, and maybe it's frozen solid with ice to prevent any air flow. There should be an inspection or access door into the furnace coil to check.
If there is no access door, check the lines running into the furnace coil and see if tehy have an ice build up around the outside, if so, then you are probably low on freon. Also, when turning unit on, go outside and check the main unit to see if the compressor is running, if it's an inside water cooled unit then you should see water being discharged into a drain if it's running, if not, then better call service company.
2007-07-10 10:20:16 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Ok, did they or did they not say the a/c worked on the contract with the sellers??? If they said it worked, call the realtor and have them get a repair person in there immediately. Don't be shy. Did the inspector indicate in writing why he couldn't inspect the unit? Also do you have homeowner's insurance? There may be a way to use that. But go for the realtor first, they got a % and do not want bad feedback. I am sure the sellers will want to make it right. Good luck and let me know.
2007-07-10 12:55:02 · answer #3 · answered by dtwladyhawk 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's all you, the sellers probably did not know of any problem with the A/C, and would be hard for you to prove otherwise. I don't understand why the home inspector couldn't run the A/C just because the temperature was below 65. He could have blown into the thermostat to make it think the temperature was higher. I would go after him, at least you could get back the money you paid for the "inspection".
2007-07-10 10:28:50 · answer #4 · answered by Jeffrey S 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In the first place what he told you was "bull" and that's to bad, you screwed up. I wouldn't have touched that place without a full or total inspection. Arraignments should have been made for an escrow account for the air in case something like this happen.
Talk to the agent, you might have to see an attorney if they knew there was a problem and didn't say anything.
Ask the former owner if it worked and if not, did they know, you'd have something to came back on. Otherwise you may be screwed.
2007-07-10 23:44:14 · answer #5 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
your home inspector was correct not to test the system at that tempeture, it is within the standards of nachi not to test at certain temps. the inspector in not at fault. your inspection report stated that the unit could not be checked because of the low temp and therefore not his responsibility that it does not work. you could have tested it on a warmer day yourself.
next:did you get homeowners insurance for the major applliances n roof ect ect..you should have, it cost about 350 dollars.check your paperwork to see, if not then your realator should have gotten it for you and he is a dummy.
the prior owner may not have been aware of the problem, he did not run it in the winter and it worked fine last summer..no recourse there.
check insurance
if not then call a service man.
2007-07-10 11:50:00 · answer #6 · answered by Joe H 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No, you are not stuck. This is something the seller knew and should have disclosed. Go back to you real estate agent and ask what recourse you have.
2007-07-10 10:14:59 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
your responsibility. you should have had the seller give you a written guarantee on th ea/c as it could not be tested.
2007-07-10 10:16:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋