A question for the city dwellers . . .

[Bain]

I looked at a condo/loft yesterday that was conditioned by a package-unit heat-pump installed on the roof. I was able to locate the appropriate system by peering down through the skylights--all the while hoping I didn't surprise another owner and get arrested for voyeurism.

It occurred to me, though, that without the skylights, I would have had no idea which system conditioned the place I was checking out. Does anyone have any secrets or hints for identifying the correct HVAC systems in these situations? I suppose I could have switched the fan on, and hung out on the roof a while, but there still would have been a margin for error.

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[Rob Amaral]

I usually arrange to have the agents cell # and tell them to switch it on and off a few times while I'm on the roof...

Otherwise, take a general photo and say 'not sure'.

The other thing is if you see say 20 yr old units and a few new ones here and there.. I include a mention in the report that 'folks are starting to replace these units' and include a photo of the mixed-age units.

Then include in the report you could not determine which was theirs, why and all the other heads-ups.

[Jerry Simon]

Turn off the 240-volt AC breaker before you go on the roof. Check units for no power, and voila. Keep in touch with your client via cell phone to turn breaker back on and thermo on so you can run unit, assuming it's a long haul back and forth.

[Terence McCann]

If the installing contractor was on the ball they put the suite number or address on the r/t unit. Unfortunately it doesn't happen often enough.

[Bain]

Rob and Jerry, thanks for the good ideas.

Terry, you're right, of course. But around here, the labels can't always be trusted, as you can see in the .pdf below.

Download Attachment: mislabeled condensers.pdf

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[Terence McCann]

Rob and Jerry, thanks for the good ideas.

Terry, you're right, of course. But around here, the labels can't always be trusted, as you can see in the .pdf below.

Download Attachment: mislabeled condensers.pdf

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HA! Labeling must have taken place, after lunch, on a Friday.

[caryseidner]

Around here, I've only see a/c compressors on the roof, and I won't switch those on at all in the colder months. If they're not labeled (or if I believe they are inacurately labeled) I site common deficiencies like worn foam insulation, roof flashing details (both very common), out of level, compressor not isolated from the roof and so on.

Whether I can determine which unit is theirs or not, I think it's also useful information to let my client know what percentage of the rtu's are older/original, and how many have been replaced.