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(a)Heating equipment.
(1)General requirements. The inspector shall:
(A)report:
(i)the type of heating systems; and
(ii)the energy sources; and
(B)report as Deficient:
(i)inoperative units;
(ii)deficiencies in the thermostats;
(iii)inappropriate location;
(iv)the lack of protection from physical damage;
(v)burners, burner ignition devices or heating elements,
switches, and thermostats that are not a minimum of 18 inches above
the lowest garage floor elevation, unless the unit is listed for garage
floor installation;
(vi)the absence of an opening that would allow access
to equipment for inspection, service, repair or replacement without
removing permanent construction or building finish;
(vii)when applicable; a floored passageway and service
platform that would allow access for equipment inspection, service,
repair or replacement; and
(viii)deficiencies in mounting and performance of
window and wall units.
(2)Requirements for electric units. The inspector
shall report deficiencies in:
(A)performance of heat pumps;
(B)performance of heating elements; and
(C)condition of conductors; and
(3)Requirements for gas units. The inspector shall
report as Deficient:
(A)gas leaks in the heating equipment not associated
with the gas distribution system;
(B)flame impingement, uplifting flame, improper flame
color, or excessive scale buildup; and
(C)deficiencies in:
(i)combustion, and dilution air; and
(ii)the vent pipe, draft hood, draft, proximity to
combustibles, and vent termination point and clearances.
(b)Cooling equipment.
(1)Requirements for cooling units other than evaporative
coolers.
(A)the inspector shall:
(i)report the type of systems;
(ii)measure and report the temperature difference
between the supply air and the returned air or report industry-accepted
method used to determine performance; and
(iii)generally report extraneous factors or conditions,
present on the day of the inspection, that would adversely impact
the temperature differential of an otherwise performing unit; and
(B)the inspector shall report as Deficient:
(i)inoperative units;
(ii)deficiencies in the performance of the cooling
system that:
(I)fails to achieve a 15 degrees Fahrenheit to 22
degrees Fahrenheit temperature differential; or
(II)fails to cool adequately as determined by other
industry-accepted methods;
(iii)the absence of an opening that would allow access
to equipment for inspection, service, repair or replacement without
removing permanent construction or building finish;
(iv)when applicable; a floored passageway and service
platform that would allow access for equipment inspection, service,
repair or replacement;
(v)noticeable vibration of blowers or fans;
(vi)water in the auxiliary/secondary drain pan;
(vii)a primary drain pipe that discharges in a sewer
vent;
(viii)missing or deficient refrigerant pipe insulation;
(ix)dirty coils, where accessible;
(x)condensing units lacking adequate clearances or
air circulation or that has deficiencies in the fins, location, levelness,
or elevation above grade surfaces; and
(xi)deficiencies in:
(I)the condensate drain and auxiliary/secondary pan
and drain system;
(II)mounting and performance of window or wall units;
and
(III)thermostats.
(2)Requirements for evaporative coolers.
(A)the inspector shall report:
(i)type of systems; and
(ii)the type of water supply line; and
(B)the inspector shall report as Deficient:
(i)inoperative units;
(ii)inadequate access and clearances;
(iii)deficiencies in performance or mounting;
(iv)missing or damaged components;
(v)the presence of active water leaks; and
(vi)the absence of backflow prevention.
(c)Duct systems, chases, and vents.
(1)the inspector shall report as Deficient:
(A)damaged duct systems or improper material;
(B)damaged or missing duct insulation;
(C)the absence of air flow at accessible supply registers;
(D)the presence of gas piping and sewer vents concealed
in ducts, plenums and chases;
(E)ducts or plenums in contact with earth; and
(F)deficiencies in:
(i)filters;
(ii)grills or registers; and
(iii)the location of return air openings.
(d)For heating, ventilation, and air conditioning
systems inspected under this section, the inspector is not required
to perform the following actions:
(1)program digital thermostats or controls;
(2)inspect:
(A)for pressure of the system refrigerant, type of
refrigerant, or refrigerant leaks;
(B)winterized or decommissioned equipment; or
(C)duct fans, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, air purifiers,
motorized dampers, electronic air filters, multi-stage controllers,
sequencers, heat reclaimers, wood burning stoves, boilers, oil-fired
units, supplemental heating appliances, de-icing provisions, or reversing
valves;
(3)operate:
(A)setback features on thermostats or controls;
(B)radiant heaters, steam heat systems, or unvented
gas-fired heating appliances; or
(C)cooling or heating systems when weather conditions
or other circumstances may cause equipment damage, including:
(i)cooling equipment when the outdoor temperature
is less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit; and
(ii)heat pumps, in the heat pump mode, when the outdoor
temperature is above 70 degrees Fahrenheit;
(4)verify:
(A)compatibility of components;
(B)tonnage and manufacturer match of indoor coils
and outside coils or condensing units;
(C)the accuracy of thermostats; or
(D)the integrity of the heat exchanger; or
(5)determine:
(A)sizing, efficiency, or adequacy of the system;
(B)balanced air flow of the conditioned air to the
various parts of the building; or
(C)types of materials contained in insulation.
The agency certifies that legal counsel has reviewed
the adoption and found it to be a valid exercise of the agency's legal
authority.
Filed with the Office
of the Secretary of State on August 23, 2021
TRD-202103314 Vanessa Burgess
General Counsel
Texas Real Estate Commission
Effective date: February 1, 2022
Proposal publication date: May 21, 2021
For further information, please call: (512) 936-3284
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