(a) Heating equipment. The inspector shall:
  (1) report:
    (A) the type of heating systems;
    (B) the energy sources;
  (2) report as Deficient:
    (A) inoperative units;
    (B) deficiencies in the thermostats;
    (C) inappropriate location;
    (D) the lack of protection from physical damage;
    (E) 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;
    (F) the absence of an opening that would allow access
to equipment for inspection, service, repair or replacement without
removing permanent construction or building finish;
    (G) when applicable; a floored passageway and service
platform that would allow access for equipment inspection, service,
repair or replacement;
    (H) deficiencies in mounting and performance of window
and wall units;
    (I) in electric units, deficiencies in:
      (i) performance of heat pumps;
      (ii) performance of heating elements; and
      (iii) condition of conductors; and
    (J) in gas units:
      (i) gas leaks;
      (ii) flame impingement, uplifting flame, improper flame
color, or excessive scale buildup;
      (iii) the absence of a gas shut-off valve within six
feet of the appliance;
      (iv) the absence of a gas appliance connector or one
that exceeds six feet in length;
      (v) gas appliance connectors that are concealed within
or extended through walls, floors, partitions, ceilings or appliance
housings; and
      (vi) deficiencies in:
        (I) combustion, and dilution air;
        (II) gas shut-off valves;
        (III) access to a gas shutoff valves that prohibits
full operation;
        (IV) gas appliance connector materials; and
        (V) the vent pipe, draft hood, draft, proximity to
combustibles, and vent termination point and clearances; and
(b) Cooling equipment other than evaporative coolers.
The inspector shall:
  (1) report the type of systems;
  (2) report as Deficient:
    (A) inoperative units;
    (B) inadequate cooling as demonstrated by its performance;

    (C) the absence of an opening that would allow access
to equipment for inspection, service, repair or replacement without
removing permanent construction or building finish;
    (D) when applicable; a floored passageway and service
platform that would allow access for equipment inspection, service,
repair or replacement;
    (E) noticeable vibration of blowers or fans;
    (F) water in the auxiliary/secondary drain pan;
    (G) a primary drain pipe that discharges in a sewer
vent;
    (H) missing or deficient refrigerant pipe insulation;
    (I) dirty coils, where accessible;
    (J) condensing units lacking adequate clearances or
air circulation or that has deficiencies in the fins, location, levelness,
or elevation above grade surfaces;
    (K) 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.
(c) Evaporative coolers. The inspector shall:
  (1) report:
    (A) type of systems;
    (B) the type of water supply line;
  (2) report as Deficient:
    (A) inoperative units;
    (B) inadequate access and clearances;
    (C) deficiencies in performance or mounting;
    (D) missing or damaged components;
    (E) the presence of active water leaks; and
    (F) the absence of backflow prevention.
(d) Duct systems, chases, and vents. The inspector
shall report as Deficient:
  (1) damaged duct systems or improper material;
  (2) damaged or missing duct insulation;
  (3) the absence of air flow at accessible supply registers;

  (4) the presence of gas piping and sewer vents concealed
in ducts, plenums and chases;
  (5) ducts or plenums in contact with earth; and
  (6) deficiencies in:
    (A) filters;
    (B) grills or registers; and
    (C) the location of return air openings.
(e) The inspector is not required to:
  (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) cooling equipment when the outdoor temperature
is less than 60 degrees Fahrenheit;
    (C) radiant heaters, steam heat systems, or unvented
gas-fired heating appliances; or
    (D) heat pumps, in the heat pump mode, when the outdoor
temperature is above 70 degrees;
  (4) verify:
    (A) compatibility of components;
    (B) tonnage 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.


Source Note: The provisions of this §535.230 adopted to be effective January 1, 2014, 38 TexReg 3350