Heat Pump Defects List & Home Inspection Education

DEFECTS LIST - HEAT PUMP - Heat pump inspection points and defects list
- Lists of important heat pump system defects for residential buildings
- What does a home inspector need to know about heat pumps? Home inspection training and education curriculum recommendations for heat pump systems
DEFECTS LIST - HEAT PUMP SUBSYS - separate article
BUILDING DEFECTS LISTS - separate article
Questions & Answers about home & building inspection courses, standards, & defect checklists for heat pump systems
References

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This article lists significant heat pump system defects, definitions, and home inspection education topics. This article series, beginning at BUILDING DEFECTS LISTS, provides lists of common building defects and basic defect knowledge that also outline recommended curriculum content for home inspector education. The building defects and inspection points listed in these articles also guide homeowners and home buyers to building areas that merit careful attention and often point areas of safety concern or important maintenance and repair tasks. Page top heat pump sketch courtesy of Carson Dunlop Associates.

Home Inspection Education Curriculum - Heat Pumps

Readers should see AIR CONDITIONING & HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS for our complete list of articles on this topic. Also see HOME & BUILDING INSPECTORS & INSPECTION METHODS. Use the Search Box at the top or bottom of these pages to find in-depth information about building, energy savings, and indoor environment inspection, diagnosis and repair at this website. Watch out: these inspection lists do not list all possible defects for the systems discussed, and not all home or building inspectors will examine all of the items listed here. CONTACT us to suggest corrections or additions to articles at this website.

Also see HEAT PUMP SUBSYS DEFECTS LIST and see CONDENSATE HANDLING, A/C and DUCT SYSTEM & DUCT DEFECTS and see these heat pump article groups:
HEAT PUMPS
  BACKUP HEAT for HEAT PUMPS
  HEAT PUMPS, GROUNDWATER
  HEAT PUMP STRATEGY - Indoors?
  HEAT PUMP Thermostats - Outdoors
HEATING SMALL LOADS

5.2 Heat Pump Inspection Points, Defects, Knowledge Base Requirements

5.2.1 Knowledge Base Recommended for Heat Pump Inspections

1. Describe the function of a residential heat pump system.

2. Describe these types of heat pumps: air-to-air, air-to-water, air-to-ground. Include an operating cycle description.

3. Describe the principles of operation of heat pumps including terms such as Co-efficient of Performance (COP), balance point and auxiliary heat.

4. List the materials and components of a typical air-to-air heat pump including compressor, the outdoor coil, the indoor coil, the outdoor fan, the indoor fan, refrigerant lines, reversing valve, expansion devices, thermostat, auxiliary heat, indoor fan, outdoor fan, condensate tray and condensate lines, duct system, duct insulation, air filter.

5. Describe the features of adequate installation and repair technique for heat pumps.

6. Define the following terms as they relate to residential heat pumps:

latent heat vaporization,
back-up heat,
defrost cycle,
timed defrost,
demand defrost,
water source heat pumps,
ground source heat pumps,
heating load,
cooling load,
two stage compressors,
heat sink,
heat source,
outdoor temperature sensor,
two stage thermostats,
triple split systems,
accumulator,
compression ratio,
time and temperature defrost,
seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER),
heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF).

7. Outline the typical life expectancy of residential heat pumps.

8. Identify the codes or standards which apply to residential heat pumps in your area.

5.2.2 Inspection skills for heat pump inspections

1. Describe the inspection procedure for heat pumps, including how to differentiate between heat pumps and air conditioning systems.

2. Identify the common defects listed on the next page.

3. Describe the implications of each defect.

4. Identify safety issues for the inspector and occupant of the home (same as air conditioning).

2. Communicate findings to client verbally and in writing, recommending corrective actions where needed.

List of Typical Heat Pump System Defects that can be Observed by Visual Inspection

Heat Pump Capacity

• Oversized for cooling

• Undersized for heating - review backup heat

Outdoor Condensing Coils

• Clothes dryer or water heater exhaust too close

• Corrosion

• Damaged

• Dirty

• Iced up

• Poor location

Heat Pump Compressor / Condenser Unit Defects

• Electric wires too small

• Excess electric current draw

• Excess noise or vibration

• Inadequate cooling

• Inoperative in heating or cooling mode

• Missing electrical shutoff

• Out of level

• Running continuously

• Short cycling

• Wrong fuse or breaker size

Indoor Evaporator Coil Defects

• Corrosion

• Damage

• Dirty

• Frost

• No access to coil

• Temperature split too low

• Temperature split too high

• Top of coil dry in cooling mode

These curriculae and building defect lists are based on smilar curriculum documents first prepared by Joe Scaduto, an ASHI member who prepared course material for Northeastern University's Building Inspection Certificate program in 1988, subsequently by DF, InspectApedia's editor, for New York University ca 1988 and later, with others, recommended to ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. ASHI did not adopt this material though currently that association as well as others offer extensive HOME INSPECTOR EDUCATION material. The curriculum and lists of defects are informed by additional analysis of the process of home inspection that was developed beginning Calgary, AB for Canadian and U.S. home inspector education and certification examinations in 1997. Other early contributors to home inspection education in the U.S. and Canada include Dr. Jess Aronstein, Alan Carson, Mike Casey, Mark Cramer, John Cox, Dwight Barnett, Douglas Hansen, Rick Heyl, Larry Hoytt, Bill Merrill, Kevin O'Malley, Dennis Robitalille, Keith Peddie, Pat Porzio, Roger Robinson.

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Technical Reviewers & References

Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.

Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Mr. Cramer serves on the ASHI Home Inspection Standards. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com
John Cranor is an ASHI member and a home inspector (The House Whisperer) is located in Glen Allen, VA 23060. He is also a contributor to InspectApedia.com in several technical areas such as plumbing and appliances (dryer vents). Contact Mr. Cranor at 804-747-7747 or by Email: johncranor@verizon.net
Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
  Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
  Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
Mark Cramer Inspection Services Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, Mr. Cramer is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors and is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator. Contact Mark Cramer at: 727-595-4211 mark@BestTampaInspector.com 11/06
Roger Hankey is principal of Hankey and Brown home inspectors, Eden Prairie, MN. Mr. Hankey is a past chairman of the ASHI Standards Committee. Mr. Hankey has served in other ASHI professional and leadership roles. Contact Roger Hankey at: 952 829-0044 - rhankey@hankeyandbrown.com. Mr. Hankey is a frequent contributor to InspectAPedia.com.
Arlene Puentes, an ASHI member and a licensed home inspector in Kingston, NY, and has served on ASHI national committees as well as HVASHI Chapter President. Ms. Puentes can be contacted at ap@octoberhome.com
Wikipedia provided background information about some topics discussed at this website provided this citation is also found in the same article along with a " retrieved on" date. NOTE: because Wikipedia entries are fluid and can be amended in real time, we cite the retrieval date of Wikipedia citations and we do not assert that the information found there is necessarily authoritative.

Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair

Our recommended books about building & mechanical systems design, inspection, problem diagnosis, and repair, and about indoor environment and IAQ testing, diagnosis, and cleanup are at the InspectAPedia Bookstore. Also see our Book Reviews - InspectAPedia.

The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.

Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.

ASHI Certification Links
Home Inspection Reports - a Critique narrative vs. checklist type home inspection reports
ASHI Standards of Practice - Jan 2000 and ASHI Standards History - links to older and alternative versions of Home Inspection Standards
ASHI Code of Ethics 1993, and ASHI Ethics History - links to older versions; Note: newer may be found at ASHI
ASHI in 1996 ASHI History - association description from 1996
American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) Official Website
Basement Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
Building Pathology, Deterioration, Diagnostics, and Intervention, Samuel Y. Harris, P.E., AIA, Esq., ISBN 0-471-33172-4, John Wiley & Sons, 2001 [General building science-DF] ISBN-10: 0471331724 ISBN-13: 978-0471331728
Building Pathology: Principles and Practice, David Watt, Wiley-Blackwell; 2 edition (March 7, 2008) ISBN-10: 1405161035 ISBN-13: 978-1405161039

Building inspection education & report writing systems from Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd

Crawl Space Moisture Control, U.S. Department of Energy
Historic Preservation Technology: A Primer, Robert A. Young, Wiley (March 21, 2008) ISBN-10: 0471788368 ISBN-13: 978-0471788362
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