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Summer’s almost here and you have decided that you will not be going through it again with your old, unreliable air conditioner. Do you know what is required to change out an air conditioner?
It is state law in California when an air conditioner is replaced – and sometimes even repaired – that the unit be certified by your contractor and, if applicable, a HERS (Home Energy Rating System) rater.
Your first step would be to obtain a building permit.
Many mechanical contractors require the homeowner to obtain all proper permits, so do not assume they already secured the permit. Your homeowner’s insurance may be voided, and you may be subject to penalties and fines if a permit is not secured. The State-required CF1R form is required to be submitted with your permit application.
When the work is complete, have your contractor provide you with a copy of their installation certification (CF2R). Make sure your contractor tests your ducts (duct leakage should be less than 15%) and verifies refrigerant charge.
Next, have your contractor’s work independently verified. When duct testing or refrigerant charge verification are required, before work begins, you’ll need to decide between having a HERS rater verify proper duct sealing and refrigerant charge or having your system included in a random sample for verification.
With either option, by the end of the job, a CF3R form is mandatory and all three forms need to be registered and verified by a State approved company, such as CHEERS.
Lastly, you will need to provide all certification to the Building Department and schedule an inspection of the unit.
Inspection of your unit by a qualified building inspector could detect or avoid the following problems:
1. Absence of slack in the coolant lines at the compressor units can cause leaks. Should the compressor move, perhaps because its supporting pads settled, there will likely be leaks at these lines. Tipping or leaning air conditioner compressors can lead to so much movement that the refrigerant lines crack and leak, leading to loss of cooling ability. In extreme cases, a tipped condenser unit may fail to operate properly.
2. Missing insulation on the refrigerant lines, particularly on the larger suction line, will cause condensation and drips from the lines in humid areas. Very costly building damage could occur where lines were not properly insulated. Condensate drips can wet gypsum board walls, leading to a costly mold remediation project. Missing insulation also can increase system operating cost.
3. Air conditioning compressors require adequate air and clearance, or they may run excessively hot all the time. For homes with more than one unit, there cannot be too many units too close together or they will be fighting for cooling air around the condenser unit, increasing operating costs and shortening air conditioner compressor life. By providing a minimal clearance around the unit and adequate air flow, the condenser coils will be cooled efficiently.
The State of California Energy Efficiency Standards and their requirements can be confusing. That’s why the California Energy Commission has a hotline for questions and information: (916) 654-5106.
The California Energy Commission also has a tools, training and resources website called Energy Code Ace: www.EnergyCodeAce.com
By obtaining a building permit and having your air conditioner inspected after installation, you could be saving yourself costly repairs down the road.
For additional information and for informational brochures from the State of California on A/C change outs, contact your local Building Department at 235 North Broadway, or call us at (760) 922-6130.
