inappropriate attic hvac installation

[philly321]

just had a home inspection and the inspector gives this:

inappropriate attic hvac installation. No functional access to service
system. change: relocate unit for safe servicing.


this is a new construction with 2-zone hvac. The attic one serves 2nd floor. They put attic access in walk in closet in the master bedroom - and after climb up it looks like there is no visible path to access the unit in the end of the attic and it faces wrong direction so you would have to climb over the unit to do maintenance.

is there a way to fix this? - is it easy to turn the unit around to face the correct direction at least?

[andserco]

Can you install a new access on the service side of the unit,btw pls explain "new construction"..

[lmark]

just had a home inspection and the inspector gives this:

inappropriate attic hvac installation. No functional access to service
system. change: relocate unit for safe servicing.


this is a new construction with 2-zone hvac. The attic one serves 2nd floor. They put attic access in walk in closet in the master bedroom - and after climb up it looks like there is no visible path to access the unit in the end of the attic and it faces wrong direction so you would have to climb over the unit to do maintenance.

is there a way to fix this? - is it easy to turn the unit around to face the correct direction at least?




Where was this guy when the other 7 billion attic units were installed like that, with crappy access? Anything can be fixed, call the installer...

[RAPHVAC]

Does the system have a single return? Is it possible to locate and install a man sized filter grille in the ceiling that would give access. What I have done in this case is to frame the return opening, attach a flexible return duct to an insulated sheet of plywood cut for the opening and hinge one side, latched on the other, weather stripping as a gasket to seal between the frame and plywood. Tech has to be careful operating system during service or repair with the hatch open so he doesn't fill the air handler and duct with blown in insulation or anything else. A temporary filter over the duct during service will avoid that as well as putting batt insulation in that area in place of blown. This may not be your solution. It has worked well for me on many installs. It is an economical solution in the right application. If you haven't already find a good contractor and he will give you the solution that's right for you and follows code in your area.

[Airmechanical]

Where was this guy when the other 7 billion attic units were installed like that, with crappy access?

true:eek:



.

[neophytes serendipity]

Yet another one where the builder made his money and the homeowner gets screwed.

If it is that bad, how did it pass mechanical inspection when the house was built?

Turning the unit around is possible*...

*: Some furnaces (assumption: you have a furnace up there) can only be installed on the right or left side- not either. Others can be installed in any position.
*: If you have a furnace, the flue location through the roof may have to change.
*: Some air conditioning coils can only be installed horizontally in one direction.

If the home purchase is contingent on this inspection, I hope you can get out of it... or make the current owner fix it. I wouldn't accept a credit unless someone has actual proposals and costs to fix it.

Talk to the local building inspector and make sure you know what type of access is needed and if there are any specific requirements for the "service area" around the HVAC equipment (access within so many feet, lighting, platform and platform size come to mind). Make sure any proposals/estimates include bringing the whole thing up to code.

Have fun :)

[bmathews]

Before you or anybody on here starts pounding the a/c guy. You need to do a little bit of investigation. You're coming on here half cocked on an open forum. We've run into this a few times and there are different reasons why this could have been done. The homeowner wants his house a certain way and that is the only way to get the unit in, the builder neglected to put in an appropriate access and pathway to the unit or he forgot too or maybe the a/c guy made a mistake. I think you need to talk to the builder and see what needs to be done to make it right before you come on here casting stones. You never know, you might live in a glass house.

[micdundee]

You need a mechanical inspector to look at this and advise you. we can't , without actually looking at it, give any real advice. the one thing that is true, is, that your access must be large enough to remove/replace the equipment.

[sandpipertech]

Bottom line. Call the contractor. Get him to resolve problem. DON'T make them charge you for it though...be careful...