Tip #3

14 Quick, Easy & Inexpensive Ways to Improve You Home Inspection Report: Tip #3
Copyright 2007 by Tex-Pro Residential & Commercial Inspections PH: 713.876.2298 www.texproinspections.com

An inspection of your homes heating and cooling systems is part of any good home inspection. The inspector should check for heating and cooling temperature differentials, the drip pans and drainage lines, the burners and fuel source and many other things involving your HVAC system that a homeowner probably has little knowledge of. However, there is one part of this HVAC inspection that the homeowner does have knowledge of and can affect; the AC Filter. Yes, a good inspector will check the AC filter to ensure that it is actually installed, and that it is not clogged and that it is working properly. A missing AC filter will clue an inspector to look for dirt in the coils and to recommend the AC unit be serviced by a qualified HVAC repairman. A clogged AC filter will lead to low airflow, reduced cooling, and perhaps even the freezing up of the coils for lack of air movement. All of these can result in your cooling temperature differential (the difference between the temp of the air going into the return and the temp of the air coming out of the AC vents) to drop below the minimum 15 degrees. If this should happen, then you will get an "In Need Of Repair" and a recommendation that your unit be serviced.

Again, the good news is that this is easy to fix and maintain. AC filters range in price from a couple of bucks to $50 or more for special AC Filter Diagram electrostatic washable/reusable filters. All will have markings on them indicating the direction of the air flow, and some even have whistles to let you know when they need to be changed. Simply unscrew the filter cover, remove the old filter, place the new one in, paying attention to the airflow arrow, and close the cover.

Keeping the AC filter clean and the air flowing will improve the efficiency of your AC unit, keeping your house cooler and your electric bill down. It will also keep one more check mark off of the inspectors report.

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