New York Codes, Rules and Regulations
Title 19 - DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Chapter V - Division Of Corporations And State Records
Subchapter J - Home Inspectors
Part 197 - Home Inspectors
Subpart 197-5 - Standards Of Practice For Home Inspectors
Section 197-5.10 - Heating system

Universal Citation: 19 NY Comp Codes Rules and Regs § 197-5.10

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 12, March 26, 2025

(a) Home inspectors shall:

(1) describe the type of fuel, heating equipment and heating distribution system;

(2) operate the systems using thermostats;

(3) open readily accessible and operable access panels provided by the manufacturer or installer for routine homeowner maintenance;

(4) observe and report on the condition of normally operated controls and components of the systems;

(5) observe and report on visible flue pipes, dampers and related components for functional operation;

(6) observe and report on the presence of and the condition of a representative number of heat sources in each habitable space of the residential building;

(7) observe and report on the operation of fixed supplementary heat units;

(8) observe and report on visible components of vent systems, flues and chimneys.

(b) home inspectors are not required to:

(1) activate or operate the heating systems that do not respond to the thermostats or have been shut down;

(2) observe, evaluate and report on heat exchangers;

(3) observe and report on equipment or remove covers or panels that are not readily accessible;

(4) dismantle any equipment, controls or gauges;

(5) observe and report on the interior of chimney flues;

(6) observe and report on heating system accessories, such as humidifiers, air purifiers, motorized dampers and heat reclaimers;

(7) activate heating, heat pump systems or any other system when ambient temperatures or other circumstances are not conducive to safe operation or may damage the equipment;

(8) evaluate the type of material contained in insulation and/or wrapping of pipes, ducts, jackets and boilers;

(9) evaluate the capacity, adequacy or efficiency of a heating or cooling system;

(10) test or operate gas logs, built-in gas burning appliances, grills, stoves, space heaters or solar heating devices or systems;

(11) determine clearance to combustibles or adequacy of combustion air;

(12) test for gas leaks or carbon monoxide;

(13) observe and report on in-floor and in-ceiling radiant heating systems.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New York may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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