📋 What is HVAC Failure?

HVAC failure occurs when a heating, ventilation, or air conditioning system fails to perform as promised due to дефектный equipment, negligent installation, or code нарушениеs. In California, HVAC work is heavily regulated, requiring specific licensing (C-20), permits, and соблюдение with Title 24 energy efficiency standards. When подрядчикs cut corners or perform substandard work, домовладелецs have strong legal remedies.

Common Types of HVAC Failures

This guide applies if your HVAC подрядчик or installation has any of these issues:

❌ System Won't Heat or Cool

Equipment fails to reach set temperatures, runs constantly, or provides insufficient heating/cooling

🚫 Improper Installation

Wrong size unit, improper ductwork, refrigerant leaks, or electrical issues causing premature failure

💰 Нет Permits Pulled

Подрядчик installed without required building permits or passed final инспекция through мошенничество

⚠ Title 24 Нарушениеs

System fails to meet California's mandatory energy efficiency standards, causing high utility bills

California's HVAC Подрядчик Regulations

California provides robust protections for домовладелецs dealing with дефектный HVAC work:

📚 C-20 Warm Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning License

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California requires a C-20 подрядчик's license for HVAC installation and major ремонтные работы. The C-20 license authorizes work on:

  • Heating systems: Furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, radiant heating
  • Cooling systems: Air conditioners, evaporative coolers, chillers
  • Ventilation: Ductwork, exhaust systems, air handling units
  • Controls: Thermostats, zoning systems, building automation

Work without a C-20 license is a misdemeanor under B&P Code 7028.

🌱 Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards

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California's Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards require HVAC systems to meet strict efficiency requirements:

  • HERS Testing: Many installations require third-party verification by a Главная Energy Rating System (HERS) rater
  • Duct Sealing: Ducts must be sealed and tested to prevent air leakage
  • Load Calculations: System sizing must be based on Manual J calculations
  • CF-1R/CF-2R/CF-3R: Соблюдение forms documenting code соблюдение

Failure to meet Title 24 can void permits and warranties.

🔒 Permit Requirements

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HVAC installation and replacement typically requires building permits:

  • New HVAC system installation (always requires permit)
  • Replacement of furnace or air conditioner (requires permit)
  • Ductwork modifications or installation
  • Adding or modifying gas lines
  • Electrical work for HVAC equipment

Unpermitted work can result in: forced removal, inability to sell home, страхование требование отказ, and no manufacturer гарантия.

💰 Гарантия Requirements

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HVAC systems come with multiple гарантия protections:

  • Manufacturer гарантия: Typically 5-10 years on parts (may be voided by improper installation)
  • Подрядчик гарантия: Usually 1-2 года on labor and installation
  • Implied гарантия: California law implies a гарантия of merchantability (CC 1791.1)
  • New construction: 4 года for latent defects, 1 год for patent defects (CC 896)

⚠ Unlicensed HVAC Work = Major Problems

If your HVAC подрядчик was unlicensed (no C-20) or let their license lapse:

  • They cannot enforce the contract against you (B&P Code 7031)
  • вы можете взыскать all payments made (трудовой кодекс 2810.5)
  • Manufacturer warranties may be void
  • Страхование claims may be denied
  • Permits obtained fraudulently may be rescinded

✅ Контрольный Список Доказательств

Gather these documents before sending your требование or filing claims. Click to check off items as you collect them.

📄 Документы по Договору

  • ✓ HVAC installation contract (all pages)
  • ✓ Written proposals and estimates
  • ✓ Change orders and amendments
  • ✓ Equipment specifications provided

📋 Permits and Инспекцияs

  • ✓ Building permit copy (if obtained)
  • ✓ Инспекция records from building dept.
  • ✓ HERS testing reports (CF-2R/CF-3R)
  • ✓ Final инспекция sign-off (or lack thereof)

💰 Payment Records

  • ✓ All cancelled checks / bank statements
  • ✓ Credit card statements
  • ✓ Financing agreement (if applicable)
  • ✓ Invoices and receipts

❄ System Performance

  • ✓ Utility bills before and after installation
  • ✓ Thermostat readings/logs showing failures
  • ✓ Independent HVAC evaluation report
  • ✓ Temperature measurements/documentation

📷 Photo/Video Доказательства

  • ✓ Photos of equipment installation
  • ✓ Ductwork photos (connections, insulation)
  • ✓ Visible defects or damage
  • ✓ Equipment model/serial number photos

📩 Коммуникации

  • ✓ All text messages with подрядчик
  • ✓ Email correspondence
  • ✓ Service call records and notes
  • ✓ Written гарантия claims to подрядчик

💡 Pro Tip: Get an Independent HVAC Evaluation

Hire a different licensed C-20 подрядчик to inspect and evaluate your system. Ask them to document: load calculations (Manual J), equipment sizing, ductwork condition, code соблюдение, and estimated ремонт/replacement costs. This expert opinion is essential доказательства.

📊 Рассчитайте Свои Убытки

California law allows взыскание of all убытки caused by дефектный HVAC installation. Treble убытки may apply when the подрядчик made false representations.

Damage Type Описание
Cost to Ремонт/Replace Cost of a licensed подрядчик to properly ремонт or completely replace the дефектный HVAC system. Get 2-3 written estimates.
Permit Correction Costs Fees to obtain proper permits, HERS testing, инспекцияs, and bring installation into code соблюдение.
Energy Cost Overages Increased utility bills due to inefficient equipment or installation compared to a properly functioning system.
Temporary Climate Control Cost of portable heaters, window AC units, or hotel stays during periods when home was uninhabitable.
Property Damage Damage to property caused by HVAC failure: water damage from condensation, mold growth, or other consequential убытки.
Service Call Costs Money paid for repeated service calls attempting to fix the дефектный system before realizing full replacement was needed.
Lost Manufacturer Гарантия If improper installation voided manufacturer гарантия, the value of that lost гарантия coverage.

Treble Убытки Under B&P Code 7160

If the подрядчик made false representations to induce the contract, вы можете взыскать THREE TIMES actual убытки:

❌ False Efficiency Claims

Promising specific energy savings or efficiency ratings that the installed system cannot achieve

❌ Wrong Equipment Installed

Installing different (cheaper) equipment than what was specified in contract or proposal

❌ False License Claims

Claiming to have C-20 license when unlicensed or using another подрядчик's license

❌ Permit Мошенничество

Claiming permits were pulled when they weren't, or claiming инспекцияs passed when they didn't

📊 Sample HVAC Failure Убытки Calculation

Example: Дефектный Central AC/Furnace Installation

Amount paid for original installation $12,500
Cost of proper replacement installation $15,800
Replacement overage $3,300
Permit and HERS testing fees $1,200
Excess utility costs (18 months) $2,700
Temporary heating/cooling equipment $850
Prior failed ремонт attempts $1,400
Water damage from condensation leak $3,200
фактический ущерб SUBTOTAL $12,650
Treble убытки (if 7160 applies: x3) $37,950
MAXIMUM POTENTIAL RECOVERY $37,950

⚠ Get Multiple Ремонт Estimates

To prove убытки, you need independent verification:

  • Written estimates from 2-3 licensed C-20 подрядчикs
  • Detailed explanation of what's wrong with the installation
  • Statement of code нарушениеs (Title 24, local codes)
  • Energy audit showing efficiency problems

📝 Образец Текста Требования

Копировать and customize these paragraphs for your HVAC failure требование.

Opening - Formal Demand
RE: FORMAL ТРЕБОВАНИЕ FOR DAMAGES - DEFECTIVE HVAC INSTALLATION

Dear [CONTRACTOR NAME/COMPANY],

This letter constitutes formal notice that the HVAC system you installed at my property located at [PROPERTY ADDRESS] is дефектный and fails to perform as warranted. Your installation violates California's Подрядчикs State License Law, Title 24 Energy Efficiency Standards, and local building codes. I hereby demand that you remedy the defects or pay убытки as set forth below.
Contract Background
On [CONTRACT DATE], I contracted with your company (California Подрядчик's License Нет. [C-20 LICENSE NUMBER]) to install a new [DESCRIBE SYSTEM: e.g., 3-ton split system air conditioner and 80,000 BTU furnace] at my residence. The total contract price was $[CONTRACT AMOUNT]. You represented that the system would [STATE PROMISED PERFORMANCE: e.g., efficiently cool/heat my home, reduce energy bills by X%, meet all code requirements]. I paid the full contract amount on [PAYMENT DATE(S)].
Дефект Описание
The HVAC system you installed is дефектный and fails to perform as warranted. Specifically:

Performance Failures:
- [DESCRIBE SPECIFIC FAILURES: e.g., System cannot cool home below 78 degrees when outside temperature exceeds 90 degrees]
- [e.g., Furnace short-cycles and fails to maintain set temperature]
- [e.g., System runs constantly but home remains uncomfortable]

Installation Defects:
- [DESCRIBE: e.g., Ductwork connections are loose and leaking air]
- [e.g., Unit is undersized for home square footage (no load calculation performed)]
- [e.g., Refrigerant charge is incorrect]

I have obtained an independent evaluation from [OTHER CONTRACTOR NAME], a licensed C-20 подрядчик, confirming these defects. A copy of their report is enclosed.
Legal Нарушениеs
Your дефектный installation constitutes multiple нарушениеs of California law:

1. Подрядчикs State License Law:
- B&P Code 7109: Departure from plans and specifications by installing undersized/incorrect equipment
- B&P Code 7110: несоблюдение with building codes and permit requirements
- B&P Code 7113: Failure to complete the project to a standard of workmanship

2. Title 24 Building Energy Efficiency Standards:
- [IF APPLICABLE: Нет HERS testing performed as required]
- [IF APPLICABLE: Duct leakage exceeds code maximum]
- [IF APPLICABLE: Нет load calculation (Manual J) performed]

3. Permit Нарушениеs:
- [IF APPLICABLE: Нет building permit was obtained for this installation]
- [IF APPLICABLE: Installation failed final инспекция]

4. Breach of Гарантия:
- Breach of implied гарантия of merchantability (гражданский кодекс 1791.1)
- Breach of express гарантия that system would perform as represented
Убытки Calculation
As a direct result of your дефектный installation, I have suffered the following убытки:

Ремонт/Replacement Costs:
- Cost to properly replace system (per estimates): $[AMOUNT]
- Original contract price paid: $[AMOUNT]
- Additional cost to correct your work: $[DIFFERENCE]

Permit and Code Соблюдение:
- Permit fees and инспекцияs: $[AMOUNT]
- HERS testing: $[AMOUNT]

Additional Убытки:
- Excess energy costs ([X] months): $[AMOUNT]
- Temporary heating/cooling: $[AMOUNT]
- Prior ремонт attempts: $[AMOUNT]
- Property damage: $[AMOUNT]

TOTAL фактический ущерб: $[TOTAL]

[IF APPLICABLE: в соответствии с B&P Code 7160, your false representations entitle me to treble убытки of $[TOTAL x 3].]
Demand and Deadline
ТРЕБОВАНИЕ FOR REMEDY

I demand that within fifteen (15) days of the date of this letter, не позднее [DEADLINE DATE], you either:

OPTION A - Correct the Defects:
Properly ремонт or replace the HVAC system to meet all contract specifications, manufacturer requirements, and code standards, at no additional cost to me, including obtaining all required permits and инспекцияs.

OR

OPTION B - Pay Убытки:
Pay the sum of $[TOTAL DAMAGES] to compensate me for the cost of hiring another подрядчик to correct your дефектный work.

If you fail to respond or provide appropriate relief by this deadline, I will pursue all available legal remedies including:
- Filing a formal исковое заявление with the Подрядчикs State License Board
- Filing a требование against your подрядчик's license bond
- Filing a civil судебный иск seeking actual убытки, treble убытки, and адвокат fees
Closing
С уважением,

[YOUR NAME]
[YOUR ADDRESS]
[YOUR PHONE]
[YOUR EMAIL]

Приложения:
- Копировать of installation contract
- Payment records
- Independent подрядчик evaluation report
- Ремонт/replacement estimates
- Photographs of installation
- Utility bills showing excess costs
- Permit records (or доказательства of lack thereof)

cc: Подрядчикs State License Board
cc: [BONDING COMPANY NAME]

🚀 Следующие Шаги

What to do after sending your требование.

Recommended Action Sequence

Step 1: Отправить Требование

Отправить via заказное письмо with уведомление о вручении requested. Allow 15-30 days for response.

Step 2: File CSLB Исковое Заявление

File online at cslb.ca.gov. Include all documentation. CSLB can order restitution.

Step 3: File Bond Требование

Контакт the подрядчик's bonding company to file a требование against their $25,000 license bond.

Step 4: Pursue Legal Remedies

If no resolution, file in Small Claims (up to $10,000) or consult an адвокат for larger claims.

If They Don't Respond or Refuse to Pay

  1. File CSLB Исковое Заявление

    The CSLB can investigate, order restitution, and suspend/revoke the подрядчик's license. File at cslb.ca.gov.

  2. File Bond Требование

    Look up the подрядчик's bond information on CSLB website and contact the surety company directly to file a требование.

  3. Суд Мелких Тяжб (Up to $10,000)

    Fast, inexpensive, no адвокат required. Good for straightforward HVAC ремонт cost claims.

  4. Civil Суд (Over $10,000)

    For larger claims including treble убытки. Адвокат recommended for complex cases.

⚠ Контакт Building Department

If work was done without permits, contact your local building department:

  • Request permit records for your address
  • Report unpermitted HVAC work
  • Ask about "owner-initiated" permit process
  • The подрядчик may be cited and required to obtain permits or remove work

❄ Don't Void Your Гарантия

Before having another подрядчик fix the work:

  • Document everything with photos and video
  • Get the new подрядчик's evaluation in writing first
  • Keep all old parts and equipment for доказательства
  • Consider having the инспекция witnessed by a third party

Need Professional Help?

HVAC дефект cases involving Title 24 нарушениеs or significant убытки can be complex. Get a 30-minute strategy call with a construction адвокат.

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