Is a new permit required when changing evaporator coils in an ac?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

My AC was not cooling. American Home Shield sent a contractor who is replacing the coils (both condenser and evaporator coils) but in the breakdown of costs they have $375 for permit and $810 for bringing it up to code. When I asked further about the "out of code" part I got no clear answers from contractor. They said it is always needed when replacing the coils. I contacted AHS and they said that $810 is for an overflow switch and p-trap. My question is 1) Is this a code violation and 2) Is the cost to remedy this is in the correct price range. I live in Southern California (Orange County). Thank you so much for your suggestions.

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Vijay G
Original Author

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

@mike_home great advice. I am going to ask the contractor for pass of final inspection before payment. In parallel, before work gets started, I am calling the city inspector. Will update with my finding. Thank you all for your comments and suggestions.

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Comments (7)

weedmeister
5 years ago
Such a thing may be required now for CA codes. It wouldnt surprise me. But you wouldn't necessarily get near it when just replacing the coil.

I guess I'm saying that if an overflow switch and trap were not installed when the unit went in some years ago, it is quite possible to be code mandated now for new installations. Whether old units have to be updated in your situation depends on the locality.

I'll say that here a similar thing is required with water heaters. The 'new' code requires unions or some similar connection on both hot and cold, as well as a pressure tank. Any water heaters being replaced have to have the plumbing updated at the time of replacement.
PRO
Austin Air Companie
5 years ago
Typically replacing coils does not require a permit, because it is most often considered a repair. However, this can vary from one locality to another. So you would have to know what is required in your local area.

Replacement permits are defined as replacing the whole HVAC system all at once.
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tigerdunes
5 years ago
this is garbage and very typical from a 3rd party home warranty company. Another example of why to stay away from these type companies. Scam/rip off comes to mind. Of course California operates much different than the rest of the country.

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mike_home
5 years ago
Call your municipality and ask to speak to the code official. Describe what repair will be done and ask if any permits are required.

I live in a town where the building code is very strict and I don't think an overflow switch is required by code. Might need a plumbing permit if the condensate line was going to be attached to the drain pipe. But even that is a stretch.

Tell the contractor if he gets a permit, then you are not going to make the final payment until after you have passed the final inspection. That is one of the benefits for paying for a permit. The job is not complete until a code inspector says it is.
sktn77a
5 years ago
Can't speake to your specific code/permit question but an overflow switch and P trap are about $10 each. What else was he doing for $810?
User
5 years ago
I am in No CA, when my AC was installed, the city inspector checked electrical and the drain sump.

Is a new permit required when changing evaporator coils in an ac?

Vijay G
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Comments (7)

weedmeister

Austin Air Companie

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Is a new permit required when changing evaporator coils in an ac?

Vijay GOriginal Author

Comments (7)

weedmeister

Austin Air Companie

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mike_home

sktn77a

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Vijay G
Original Author