Permits, HERS (Home Energy Rating System), and Inspections
You’ve decided to do an HVAC install. Now, what happens?
At Pacific Aire, we start submitting your equipment and home information for city or county permits. This 1-3 business day process is in place to make sure your AC installation goes off without a hitch. If you have an HOA (Homeowner associations), we’ll work to get you any and all information they might need.
If you have ductwork or equipment (except for wall furnaces and water heaters) you’ll be contacted to set an appointment for (Home Energy Rating System) HERS testing which usually happens within 1 to 2 weeks. A third party will come to test the sealing and airflow of your system. A packet of information will be mailed to you after the conclusion of the test.
With your packet in hand, it’s time for city or county inspections.
Your HERS paperwork will have information regarding your next steps and for some cities and counties that will require our company representative to be present during their checks. We’ll answer any questions the city inspector might have and provide any tools, like ladders, they might need to access your equipment. In those cases, we ask that you call us and we’ll work with you and the inspector on getting the right day and time for their visit. If we aren’t required to be in your home that day, it will be up to your availability to schedule the inspection. These HVAC inspections are usually handled within 3 weeks of your completed HERS test.
Most inspections are signed off that day and your AC installation is now completed but sometimes inspectors have items that need to be modified or added. These inspection notes will be given to you directly.
Please reach out to our office and schedule our warranty technicians to correct these issues and satisfy the inspectors.
Length of HVAC Replacement Installation Job
The installation of the most basic HVAC systems can be completed in one day, but some more advanced additions might extend the installation into the following day.
Unexpected Circumstances
In addition to your written estimate, unexpected repairs can occur on a home improvement project. Your estimate might not include the cost of replacing damaged ductwork, rotten wall studs, electrical upgrades, and drywall repairs. We do our best to address all the bases in our initial estimates; however, some things cannot be evaluated until the project begins.
Testing the New HVAC Unit
Pressure and vacuum tests are performed prior to charging the system with new refrigerant after the HVAC replacement installation is complete. As soon as the new HVAC system has been fully inspected, refrigerant is added and the system is activated and retested to ensure it works properly.
We will review the proper operation of the new system and warranty information as well as answer any questions after all testing is complete. After that, you’ll be able to relax in a more comfortable home.
Cleaning and Closing
Material and old HVAC equipment will be loaded up and removed from the house. It is important to roll up the floor protection last. Our waterproof puncture-resistant floor protection keeps all debris inside from the installation and out of your home.
Any materials or debris will be swept away from all areas. The area will be in the same condition as when it was found.
You should be provided with a walkthrough of what was done during the installation. All safety, maintenance, warranty, and special instructions should be discussed.
An outdoor locking cap should be placed as a final mechanical step. It can only be opened with the correct key. This will prevent tampering with your equipment, as well as refrigerant theft.
The completed job should also be inspected visually. Commissioning and thermostat operations should also be reviewed. Payments and signatures should be collected after the final walkthrough.
The job is now professionally complete!
The installation process might seem overwhelming, but our team of trained AC Unit Installers will ensure you have an easy and pleasant installation experience. As always, Pacific Aire will be available to answer any questions you may have during your install.
