{"id":6717,"date":"2026-10-23T14:14:51","date_gmt":"2026-10-23T21:14:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/?post_type=blog_post&#038;p=6717"},"modified":"2026-10-26T09:44:30","modified_gmt":"2026-10-26T16:44:30","slug":"hud-nspire-oct-newsletter-the-heat-is-on","status":"publish","type":"blog_post","link":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/blog-post\/hud-nspire-oct-newsletter-the-heat-is-on\/","title":{"rendered":"HUD-NSPIRE Oct Newsletter: The Heat is On!"},"content":{"rendered":"<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px; width: 600px; height: 396px; margin: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/9a63fdfd-437f-20fc-6467-c32064d4901e.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"396\" data-file-id=\"3061349\" \/><br \/>\n<strong>NSPIRE Self-Inspection Checklists are NOW AVAILABLE for ALL programs<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>that have their Final Rules released (HCV, HOPWA, HOME, HTF, LIHTC, etc.)<\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>Click here to download (free): \u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/hud-pre-reac-inspections\/reac-resources\/\"><strong>REAC Resources<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">NSPIRE Scoring Changes are LIVE \u2013 Is Your Property Ready?<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">NSPIRE 2-Hour Webinar is scheduled for November 10<\/span><sup><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">th<\/span><\/sup><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">, 2026 <\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">10 am \u2013 12 pm PST<\/span><\/strong><br \/>\n<strong><span style=\"background-color: #ffff00;\">Questions encouraged!<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/product\/2-hour-webinar\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Register Here:<\/strong><\/a><br \/>\n<!--![endif]----><!--![endif]----><\/p>\n<p><strong>October 1, 2026, has arrived\u2014and heating systems have just become a much bigger concern for NSPIRE inspections!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>It has never been more important to make sure your property&#8217;s heating systems are working properly. Effective October 1, 2026, <strong>HVAC Standard Deficiency #1 \u2013 Heat Source is Not Working<\/strong> is now scoring under NSPIRE. If you have not already checked the heating systems in every unit, now is the time!<\/p>\n<p>Under HUD&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-HVAC_20230811.pdf\">NSPIRE HVAC Standard<\/a>, Deficiency #1 applies when the inspection occurs between October 1 and March 31 and either:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>The permanently installed heating source is not working; <strong>OR<\/strong><\/li>\n<li>The heating source is working, but the interior temperature is below 64\u00b0F (this only happens if the heater is undersized for the space).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px; width: 600px; height: 123px; margin: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/49ad7b63-6e65-0077-9175-6a472a6aed43.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"123\" data-file-id=\"3061348\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong><u>This is a LIFE-THREATENING (LT) deficiency, with a 24-hour correction timeframe.<\/u><\/strong><br \/>\nLet&#8217;s talk about the potential scoring impact. On a 100-unit property, a deficiency affecting every unit could translate to a substantial scoring impact. At approximately 2.4 points per unit, if HALF the units Sampled have this defect \u2013 you will fail your inspection. Don&#8217;t let a preventable maintenance issue jeopardize your inspection score.<br \/>\n<strong>Four Things You Should Do Before Your Next Inspection:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Change Those Thermostat Batteries!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>This is one of the easiest preventive maintenance steps you can take. If your thermostats use batteries, replace them before your inspection.<br \/>\nDon&#8217;t wait for a resident to report a problem! Check every unit, replace the battery whether it needs it or not, and verify that each thermostat is operating correctly.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"2\"><strong>Turn on Every Heater and Verify That It Actually Heats!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Do not assume a heating system works simply because the thermostat display is on or the system makes noise. A system may turn on without producing heat.<br \/>\nBefore your inspection:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Set each thermostat to call for heat.<\/li>\n<li>Verify that the heating system starts and operates properly.<\/li>\n<li>For forced-air systems, baseboard and wall heaters, confirm that the supply registers produce warm air (use a tool like an ambient thermometer or a thermo-gun (my favorite tool)).<\/li>\n<li>Check electric baseboard and wall heaters to make sure they are generating heat.<\/li>\n<li>Investigate unusual noises, short cycling, error codes, or systems that fail to respond.<\/li>\n<li>Schedule qualified maintenance personnel to repair any problems before the inspection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Remember:<\/strong> HUD&#8217;s inspection process includes verifying that the permanently installed heating source works and measuring interior air temperature. Under the HVAC Standard, the temperature is measured three feet above the floor and two feet from an exterior wall with an ambient temperature thermometer.<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"3\"><strong>Check Fire Clearances Around Every Heater!<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>While checking the heaters, take a few extra minutes to inspect the surrounding area. Furniture, curtains, bedding, clothing, paper, and other combustible items placed too close to a heating appliance can create a fire hazard and potentially result in <strong>a separate Life-Threatening deficiency<\/strong> under HUD&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Flammable-and-Combustible-Item_20230620.pdf\">Flammable and Combustible Item Standard<\/a> .<br \/>\n<strong>IMPORTANT: Do not assume every heater has the same clearance requirement!<\/strong><br \/>\nHUD&#8217;s standard addresses combustible items <strong>within three feet of an appliance that provides heat for thermal comfort<\/strong>. However, the applicable clearance can depend on the type of heater and the manufacturer&#8217;s installation instructions. For example, some conventional electric baseboard heaters have different clearance requirements from fan-assisted baseboard units or wall-mounted electric heaters.<br \/>\nWhat should you do?<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Check the manufacturer&#8217;s installation manual for the specific heater<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Verify the required clearance from combustible materials.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Remove or relocate items that violate the applicable clearance requirements.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>Document the heater model and applicable instructions when a clearance question arises.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>For a more detailed explanation of this often-misunderstood issue, read our previous newsletter:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/blog-post\/select-hud-nspire-january-2025-newsletter-electric-heater-clearancethe-truth\/\"><strong>Electric Heater Clearance\u2026the Truth<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<ol>\n<li value=\"4\"><strong>Check for <u>ANY<\/u> electrical hazards. This is ANOTHER LT under the <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/sites\/dfiles\/PIH\/documents\/NSPIRE-Standard-Electrical-Conductor-Outlet-and-Switch_20230811.pdf\"><strong>Electrical &#8211; Conductor, Outlet and Switch Standard<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Low voltage wiring (less than 50V) is EXEMPT from ALL NSPIRE Standards.<br \/>\nHowever, I have seen numerous citations for damaged conduits, missing junction box cover plates, etc.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" style=\"border: 0px; width: 600px; height: 270px; margin: 0px;\" src=\"https:\/\/mcusercontent.com\/09ba5c1c1015b2f3c02e52ae8\/images\/6bfdce68-32bf-7726-2308-33b85f4fe82c.png\" width=\"600\" height=\"270\" data-file-id=\"3061350\" \/><\/p>\n<p><strong>Don&#8217;t Wait Until Inspection Day!<\/strong><br \/>\nThe heating season is here, and the consequences of overlooking a nonworking heater can be significant. A dead thermostat battery, a failed ignition system, the residents have the gas shut off, or an undersized heater that operates without adequately heating the unit can become an expensive and entirely preventable problem.<\/p>\n<p>Take the time now to check every unit, document your maintenance, and address deficiencies before the inspector arrives.<\/p>\n<p><strong>A little preventive maintenance today can save you a lot of points tomorrow!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Please reach out to me for consulting, Pre\/Post-NSPIRE inspections, training, appeals, or if you just have a question!<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><strong>Resources<\/strong><br \/>\nHUD has PDFs (videos are currently down) on how to appeal and how to close out H&amp;S deficiencies here:<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hud.gov\/reac\/nspire-toolkit\">NSPIRE Toolkit<\/a><br \/>\n<strong>**Remember, if you will be appealing something that was cited, <\/strong><br \/>\n<strong>your defect mitigation in 24 hours is that you are appealing\u2026<u>not that you fixed it<\/u>!**<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>To subscribe to this free monthly newsletter and read newsletters you may have missed, click here: <a href=\"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/hud-pre-reac-inspections\/hud-assist-blog\/\">C4N6 Newsletter Registration and Archive<\/a><br \/>\n<!--![endif]----><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>NSPIRE Self-Inspection Checklists are NOW AVAILABLE for ALL programs that have their Final Rules released (HCV, HOPWA, HOME, HTF, LIHTC, etc.) Click here to download (free): \u00a0REAC Resources. NSPIRE Scoring Changes are LIVE \u2013 Is Your Property Ready? NSPIRE 2-Hour Webinar is scheduled for November 10th, 2026 10 am \u2013 12 pm PST Questions encouraged! [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":6721,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","tags":[],"blog-category":[130],"class_list":["post-6717","blog_post","type-blog_post","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","blog-category-hud-assist"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog_post\/6717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog_post"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/blog_post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6717"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6721"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6717"},{"taxonomy":"blog-category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c4n6.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/blog-category?post=6717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}