Frequently Asked Questions

All HVAC installations in California require building permits and Title 24 compliance. There are NO exceptions to this, and homeowners should not be tempted by contractors to perform installations without obtaining the required permits first.  

Stiff penalties ($5000) apply to the contractor for the first offense and the license will be suspended for 1 year on the second offense.  

The homeowner faces penalties too, which range from shutting the project down until the required permits are obtained, to doubling the permit fees if caught by a building inspector that happens to be in the neighborhood.

There are larger ramifications to the homeowner that can become a serious problem during the sale of the property or denial of an insurance claim if the insurance provider discovers that the installation was not legal (not permitted).

It is also unethical for HVAC contractors to gain a competitive advantage by not obtaining the required building permits. This makes it possible to ‘cut corners’ on the project, but legal providers cannot, and therefore have to price higher. These same contractors will often state that competing companies charge too much for their service while at the same time performing sub-standard work because nobody verifies their work.

To sum up:

• Building permits are always required
• Stiff penalties apply for non-compliance
• Insurance claims may be denied in case of a future problem with an HVAC installation without a building permit
• Unscrupulous HVAC contractors omit permits to gain a competitive advantage

Some people compare buying an HVAC comfort system to buying a car, a refrigerator, or a washing machine. If that is the case, all we need to do is compare the different brands, shop for the lowest price and we could ensure success.

However, the HVAC equipment’s brand is only one component of the overall installation service, and the lowest price is unfortunately an indication of the poor installation that follows.

HVAC installations require many components that must be selected, purchased, and installed by a qualified HVAC contractor and their installation team in order to ensure a successful outcome. 

Haven Air Conditioning has nearly 25 years of experience and has completed thousands of installations. We take pride in the highest level of comfort system installations!

There are several methods of establishing how much energy an air conditioner/heat pump will require in order to cool your home. 

The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is one of them. Typically, the higher the SEER rating, the more energy-efficient the air conditioner/ heat pump will be.

By itself, the SEER rating does NOT ensure an energy-efficient comfort system. AHRI-certified equipment matching, and a properly designed/sized air distribution system are required, otherwise, the air conditioner SEER rating is largely meaningless.

Why take a chance with your new comfort system installation? Call Haven Air Conditioning today and rest assured that your new comfort system achieves the energy savings you invested in.