| HVAC Contractors in California will be required to understand and implement changes to the 2005 Energy Code which is being superseded by the 2008 Title-24 Energy Standards. These new standards take effect January 1, 2010 and apply to a range of regional areas in California. This is one of the reasons you should always hire a suitably qualified and licensed expert HVAC contractor for your home. They will be notified about these changes and understand what they mean in relation to your HVAC servicing and repairs.
There are a number of changes to go over that you should be aware of. If your contractor is not aware there could be serious consequences for both of you. The first is that all ducts and seals must be tested. This has to be done on every system that is new or changed out and in some areas further testing has been replaced with a new system. This involves both your contractor undertaking tests and then having them independently verified. This is highly unlikely to occur if the technician is unlicensed as they will be unable to source an independent tester and provide relevant documentation to the homeowner about this experience.
There is training being offered to all licensed HVAC contractors so that they fully understand the requirements and processes that will come into place. These are changes that apply to both the residential and business markets and as a result you cannot avoid having these tests done on any new or changed system or you won’t be complying with California state law. This has serious consequences that are often picked up through complaints or the change in ownership of a building.
When you are considering which HVAC contractor to hire, incorporate this into the standard checks you perform. They must understand this so do a little of your own research to know what standards will apply to your building and project. Using a licensed expert will allow you to feel more at ease about these new standards being imposed on your job correctly, leaving you without any unnecessary cost and alterations that may follow if it isn’t done correctly.
By inviting HVAC contractors to your building for quotes you can get a good understanding of their overall business practices. Look for those who offer free no charge for service call consultations so that you’re not outlaying a large sum of money before a job has begun. A good HVAC contractor will offer this service because they know their skill and understanding of the industry will sell them to a client. You should also always get any quotes guaranteed for parts and labor costs whenever you decide to hire. Your HVAC contractor should be happy to provide this unless there is a problem with their legitimacy. Licensed contractors are also the only type that insurance companies will cover in the event of the HVAC job being completed and claimed for.
These new standards will apply to different areas of the state in a variety of ways with more stringent operations in some areas. By understanding and learning more you can be sure to check that your licensed HVAC contractor is capable and willing to incorporate them into the job. |