Section 535.230 - Standards of Practice: Minimum Inspection Requirements for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems(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:(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:(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(2) Requirements for evaporative coolers. (A) the inspector shall report: (ii) the type of water supply line; and(B) the inspector shall report as Deficient:(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: (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.22 Tex. Admin. Code § 535.230
Adopted by Texas Register, Volume 41, Number 36, September 2, 2016, TexReg 6742, eff. 9/7/2016; The provisions of former §535.230 adopted to be effective February 1, 2009, 33 TexReg 9242; repeal effective January 1, 2014, 38 TexReg 3349; Amended by Texas Register, Volume 46, Number 37, September 10, 2021, TexReg 5770, eff. 2/1/2022