HOA approval/permit processes for new A/C install
#1
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HOA approval/permit processes for new A/C install
Anyone know if HOA in your area requires approval for you to upgrade outdoor AC unit? Meaning getting rid of the old one and replacing with the new.
#2
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I don't know of any HOA that needs approval for an AC swap. However each HOA has their own rules and regulations. Check with them to avoid future headaches.
#3
The condo associations I work in don't require an approval for HVAC upgrades.
There may be a gray area if you are adding an additional unit to an existing one.
There may be a gray area if you are adding an additional unit to an existing one.
#4
Have participated in many associations and nothing I have ever seen in any By Laws would suggest that approval is needed.
Just dont get the lime green unit, then you might have a question!!
Just dont get the lime green unit, then you might have a question!!
Last edited by the_tow_guy; 05-04-18 at 04:50 AM. Reason: Typo fix
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I'm checking with my HOA. Now anyone know if a permit is required for swapping outdoor AC unit, and change indoor evaporator coil? One contractor says as long as the gas furnace is changed and same type of electrical AC unit (different manufacturer doesn't matter), there is no permit needed. Another says, permit is some hundred dollars. Do you know if permit is needed in your area? If yes, do you have to pay the contractor to get the permit or can you get one yourself from your county or municipality?
#6
Usually a permit is required and should be pulled by your contractor.
You can check with your town's building department for particulars.
You can check with your town's building department for particulars.
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Checked with the county. They are saying no mechanical permit needed, but electrical permit is needed. What is surprising is I spoke with several contractors in my area and all of them were genuinely surprised that electrical permits is needed, and all of them have been in the field for a while. One of them was not even willing to check electrical permit is needed, and decided not to take my business.
#8
Interesting.... I'd only expect an electrical permit to be required on a new installation.... not a replacement.
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Yes, everyone I spoke with found it odd that the county requires an electrical permit for replacing AC. This creates extra cost of at least couple hundred dollars for me. I have no choice not to comply with the Code, but I don't know what to make of it. I spoke with a number of electricians in my area, and they all said No to electric permit requirement. If they tried to win my business, they could have said Yes and earned some revenue, but they did not possibly because they were honest and ethical. I also spoke with a number of licensed HVAC contractors in my area. They are absolutely certain no electrical permit is required because this is totally mechanical work, and no electrical repair is done so they are either unwilling to pull an electrical permit or do not want my business. This creates a problem for me because I have to keep shopping and limits my choice of who I can buy from. Anyone had similar experience in your area? Perhaps, my county very recently changed the building code? They said no HVAC/R permit is required. Only electrical permit is required.
#10
Are you sure it's a couple of hundred? According to your County site, the "Electrical Permit-A/C Equipment Unit" fee is only $30. I'm assuming I have the right one. And it's all done online by the contractor so it shouldn't take a ton of time. Maybe a personal visit to the Permits office is in order, there may have been miscommunication.
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I can't disclose which county is my county. From what I'm told, cost of pulling an electric permit is $300 to $500 for a new AC install, and it can cost as much as $1,000. If there was miscommunication, I'm not sure why all contractors are saying no permit is required, but the county says it's required. Even at the county, there are different type of inspectors. Non electrical inspectors said no electrical permit is required. It's electrical inspectors who say it's required. County does not get involved in how much contractors charge for pulling permits. $30 would be what the contractor pays the county to pull the permit, and contractors can charge whatever surcharge onto the customer. County will come to the worksite (my home) to inspect the work once the work is done. One contractor is saying replacing is AC strictly mechanical work so he can't be held responsible for electrical work done by the builder of my townhome so he's unwilling to do business with me even if it means loss of revenue for him. This is really odd..... If he wants the money, he would have gone ahead and offer to charge me the extra for pulling the electrical permit meaning more money for him, but he doesn't want to. Really odd.... I don't know what to make of it.
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Electrical permit pull question
Since my county requires when replacing residential AC even if my home is not a new construction, I have no choice but to get it pulled. Electrical permit fee is about 50 some dollars, but the cost of pulling it is anywhere from $300 t $1,000 charged by contractors in my area.
I hire HVAC contractor to replace my AC, but if I hire an electrician who is not with the same company as the HVAC contractor to reduce the cost, and the electrical inspection fails. Then who is financially responsible to fix the failure? I would hope if the failure is in the new AC unit itself or the new evaporator coil unit, the HVAC contractor is responsible, but HVAC contractor says homeowner is financially responsible so there will be additional cost to fix the failure. If I hire an electrician who is not with the same company as the HVAC contractor, will I be financially responsible if the failure is in the new AC or new evaporator coil unit?
HVAC contractor is simply going to connect a new AC unit into the existing outlet, so all contractors and electricians I interviewed said I should not need an electrical permit pulled. However since it needs to be pulled, what can I as a homeowner do to pass the electrical inspection on 1st try? Any tips?
I hire HVAC contractor to replace my AC, but if I hire an electrician who is not with the same company as the HVAC contractor to reduce the cost, and the electrical inspection fails. Then who is financially responsible to fix the failure? I would hope if the failure is in the new AC unit itself or the new evaporator coil unit, the HVAC contractor is responsible, but HVAC contractor says homeowner is financially responsible so there will be additional cost to fix the failure. If I hire an electrician who is not with the same company as the HVAC contractor, will I be financially responsible if the failure is in the new AC or new evaporator coil unit?
HVAC contractor is simply going to connect a new AC unit into the existing outlet, so all contractors and electricians I interviewed said I should not need an electrical permit pulled. However since it needs to be pulled, what can I as a homeowner do to pass the electrical inspection on 1st try? Any tips?
#13
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Electrical permit is only for the electrical wiring going into the AC. It has nothing to do with the AC itself. Therefore, the electrician is only responsible for the electrical wire, disconnect, and any connections he make. Also the electrician will not be responsible for any existing problem. If the inspection fails from any existing problem, electrician may be in fault of not noticing the problem before the inspection, but you still will be responsible for any additional work it may cost.
Any failure of the AC caused by installation error will be responsible by the HVAC company, but if wasn't their fault, it will be covered under manufacturer's warranty.
Replacing HVAC usually will also require mechanical permit, although it is rarely done.
Since you are talking about connecting a new AC unit into the existing outlet, do you have a through the wall AC or PTAC units that just plugs into 240V outlet?
In that case, you will not need electrical permit since there is no electrical work being done.
Any failure of the AC caused by installation error will be responsible by the HVAC company, but if wasn't their fault, it will be covered under manufacturer's warranty.
Replacing HVAC usually will also require mechanical permit, although it is rarely done.
Since you are talking about connecting a new AC unit into the existing outlet, do you have a through the wall AC or PTAC units that just plugs into 240V outlet?
In that case, you will not need electrical permit since there is no electrical work being done.
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My AC is the type of the unit that sits outside and plugs into the outside outlet. To the county I live in, it doesn't matter what type of AC it is. They are the ones who decide when an electric permit is required in the county so I have to comply. The county doesn't require any other type of permit.
Anyway, if I hire an electrician separately who is not with the HVAC company to reduce the cost of pulling the electric permit, how does that affect the responsibility of all the parties involved? It does seem like the whole things that should be a simple replacement of my AC might turn out to be more time-consuming and more work if I hire an electrician separately. I would rather keep it as simple as possible and find a HVAC company who can pull the electric permit w/in my small budget.
Anyway, if I hire an electrician separately who is not with the HVAC company to reduce the cost of pulling the electric permit, how does that affect the responsibility of all the parties involved? It does seem like the whole things that should be a simple replacement of my AC might turn out to be more time-consuming and more work if I hire an electrician separately. I would rather keep it as simple as possible and find a HVAC company who can pull the electric permit w/in my small budget.
#16
Sounds like there is way to much over thinking here, just let the HVAC contractor you choose take care of the job,ie electrical work, mechanical work, and necessary permits,
Geo
Geo
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But he's trying to charge me arm and leg because he knows it's most convenient for me to let him do the permit and arrange inspection with the county. I may have to put this off until Fall 2018 or Spring 2019, and live out the coming summer of 2018 with no AC. I am in Mid-Atlantic region in Maryland. Maryland summer certainly isn't as bad as Florida summer. How likely is it that I may get mildew or fungus growth in the ductwork or any part of my home if I have no AC during summer in Mid-Atlantic region? I think I may just have to use some fans or portable ACs at night and keep the windows open during the day when I'm home.
#18
But he's trying to charge me arm and leg because he knows it's most convenient for me to let him do the permit and arrange inspection with the county.
#19
I don't really understand what you folks are talking about. I replaced hundreds of ACs (outside unit) and never heard any kind of permits. Just a condenser replacement. 2 hours work, done. No one knows except the owner and me, no other people care anyway.----- Can someone tell me what are you guys are talking about here?