ELECTRICAL CONSIDERATIONS


We pull permits !
For your safety and to make sure that our work passes all of the current city/county codes and that our work was performed properly, we pull permits and request an on-site inspection from your city/county inspector.

We file for and secure a city/county permit on each and every job, and when the work is completed, we call for an inspection.

Upon completion of our work we make arrangements for the inspector to come to the work site to inspect our work and make sure all of our work is within code and completed properly.

Ask us for a copy of our current Certificate of Insurance.
All contractors say they are properly covered to protect their employees and your home, but make them prove it! Ask for a copy of their current certificate of insurance.

Dedicated Circuit Breakers
When considering a new installation of a furnace or central air conditioning system, you will need to check to see if your electrical panel has a dedicated circuit breaker for the furnace or air conditioning system.

Now, by most all county/city code, furnaces and or central air conditioning systems must be electrically connected to the electric service panel with a dedicated circuit breaker.

To check for dedicated furnace circuit breaker
Flip the electric service panel breaker switches to see if only the furnace power is on or off. You must not have any other home appliance or lighting sharing the furnace electrical power and breaker switch.

If your existing furnace or central air conditioning outdoor condenser needs to be replaced, and is not wired to a dedicated circuit breaker, within the electric service panel, you will need to have this done for any new equipment replacements as a code update.

Ground Wiring
Wiring to a furnace from the electrical service panel must be with a ground wire, that is, the electrical wiring coming from the electrical service panel to the furnace must have a ground wire to be within city/county code requirements.

Aluminum Wiring
Homeowners of older homes that have Aluminum wiring without a ground wire and now wish to have a new furnace or central air conditioner installed, must have the wiring from the electrical service panel to the new appliance replaced with copper, 3-wire(grounded wire).

Replacement of Electrical Panels
In some cases, the existing electric service panel is full, meaning there is no space left within the existing electrical service panel for an additional, dedicated circuit breaker. In this case a new, larger electrical service panel may be required.

In some cases, a licensed electrical contractor may be able to add a "side car" or auxiliary breaker box for the new equipment. A licensed electrical contractor can properly determine this possibility.

Outdoor Emergency Disconnect
If installing a new central air conditioning system, make sure that the outdoor electric service panel is within ten (10) feet of where the outdoor condenser will be placed. If not, a outdoor emergency disconnect is required.

Make sure that the outdoor electric service panel is within an unobstructed, 10 foot view and with clear access of where the outdoor condenser will be placed.

No fencing or other obstructions can exist between the outdoor condenser and electric service panel. If the new condenser placement is around-the-corner of the house or structure, and outside of a 10 foot unobstructed view of the condenser, you will need a outdoor emergency disconnect.

If a indoor or garage electrical service panel placement exists, the electrical contractor must install a outdoor emergency disconnect within 10 feet, and within plain view of the outdoor condenser.

If the outdoor condenser is placed within 10 feet of an outdoor electrical service panel, which is unobstructed, one does not have to have a outdoor emergency disconnect switch installed.

TOTAL COMFORT Heating and Cooling can determine your possible new equipment electrical needs when you request a new equipment quotation.

TOTAL COMFORT Heating and Cooling works exclusively with an independent licensed contractor that will be happy to provide you with a FREE electrical assessment and quotation for any possible electrical needs.


Make sure that a licensed electrical contractor does all electrical work for your home or business!

It's best to use an independent Licensed Electrical Contractor...Not an HVAC company licensed electrician!

TOTAL COMFORT Heating and Cooling does not participate in any rebates, commissions, kickbacks or payments from any electrical contractor for electrical work provided to you. You may feel free to use our recommended independent licensed electrical contractor services or any other independent licensed electrical contractor you choose.

All electrical work provided the TOTAL COMFORT Heating and Cooling client is contracted through our exclusive independent licensed electrical contractor and electrical work is billed to the homeowner separate of the TOTAL COMFORT heating and Cooling scope of work and contract. This insures that the homeowner is not paying for anything more than the electrical costs.