Get Quotes from Top HVAC Contractors in San Diego, CA

Are You Licensed to Practice as an HVAC Contractor in San Diego?

Ensuring that your prospective HVAC contractor is licensed is the first step in getting the right individual for the job. The California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) is responsible for issuing licenses to HVAC contractors in San Diego, and the possession of this license proves that the contractor in question has the necessary skills and training required to perform the task at hand.

The license an HVAC contractor needs to operate in San Diego is a Class C Specialty Contractor License, specifically known as the C-20 - Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor. In addition to this, the HVAC contractor needs to have an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Section 608 Technician Certification which covers the handling of refrigerants. In order to obtain the C-20 contractor license, the HVAC contractor must get pre-approval from the CSLB and possess at least four years of experience attained in the preceding ten years as well as a $15,000 bond and proof of worker's compensation insurance. The contractor must also pass both a trade exam and a business and law exam with at least 72%. Note that the EPA certification requires HVAC contractors to sit for a separate test that covers environmental protection topics like compliance and leak repair requirements.

In San Diego, it is illegal to operate as an unlicensed contractor. Regulatory penalties for practicing without an HVAC license are contained in the State of California's Business and Professions Code (BPC). Operating without a license is considered a misdemeanor, which can see offenders serving a minimum sentence of 90 days and a maximum of six months in state prison. Offenders could also see themselves paying a fine of up to $15,000 if convicted, and repeat offenders could get even steeper fines. However, not that a license is not required for any HVAC work that does not exceed $500.

You can use the license check feature of the Contractors State Licensing Board's online platform to validate an HVAC contractor's license number. It should be noted that this database is unavailable from Sundays at 8 p.m. through Monday at 6 a.m. due to scheduled maintenance. You can also contact the Contractors State License Board's Licensing Information Center at (800) 321-2752 for information related to HVAC licensing requirements in San Diego.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other HVAC Contractors in San Diego?

It is critical to compare costs between many HVAC contractors in order to prevent paying an excessive fee for your project. This will also assist you in determining when a quote appears to be far too good to be true. A San Diego HVAC contractor's fee is mostly determined by the sort of work being performed. Other considerations may include the cost of supplies required for the project, the cost of obtaining the necessary permissions, and the HVAC contractor's degree of experience and reputation. Whatever the situation may be, pricing comparisons might help you avoid paying an expensive fee that isn't justified by the work performed.

An HVAC Contractor in San Diego earns an annual average wage of $63,250. The table below provides a cost comparison of the mean hourly wages for HVAC contractors in San Diego against those of HVAC Contractors in the rest of California as well as other major cities in the United States:

Do You Comply with San Diego Building Code for HVAC Work?

An important requirement when searching for HVAC contractors around you is to ensure that they are familiar with San Diego's Mechanical Code, which is adapted from the 2019 California Mechanical Code. The code regulates and controls the design, installation, alteration, maintenance, inspection, operation, and use of mechanical systems located within San Diego.

The San Diego Mechanical Code covers mechanical systems like air conditioning systems, ventilation, duct and exhaust systems, hydronics, boilers, heaters, chimneys and vents, soilers and pressure vessels, fuel gas piping, process piping, stationary power plants, solar energy, and refrigeration systems. The code is implemented to ensure the health and safety of residents of San Diego and their property in relation to the use of mechanical systems, and as such, it is imperative your HVAC contractor understands its regulations to the letter. Individuals found guilty of violating the city's mechanical code can receive fines of up to $2,500, as well as other court-imposed civil penalties. If you wish to make inquiries or report violations of the Mechanical Code, contact San Diego's Code Enforcement Division at (619) 236-5500 or visit their office at:

Will You Get the HVAC Permits as Required by San Diego Code?

Most of the work done by HVAC contractors in San Diego requires a permit as stipulated in the San Diego Mechanical Codes. Mechanical permits cover heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or refrigeration systems and ensure that HVAC contractors adhere to the bare minimum required to protect life and property. In San Diego, no part of a heating, ventilating, air conditioning, or refrigeration system can be installed, altered, replaced, or repaired unless a mechanical permit has been obtained for the work.

The issuance of mechanical work permits is done by the San Diego Development Services Center (DSC). Depending on the work, either a Simple Mechanical Permit or a Plan Mechanical Permit may be obtained. If the HVAC work involves minor installations like the installation of forced air units (FAU), air conditioner units (AC), exhaust fans, or the replacement of furnaces, a Simple Mechanical Plan is required. Other kinds of installations, alterations, replacements, or repairs require a Plan Mechanical Permit. Mechanical work permit applications can be made online via the San Diego Development Services Center online platform.

Note that inspections are required for permitted work in San Diego, and these inspections must be done before any work can be covered or concealed. The HVAC contractor or the owner is responsible for scheduling all required inspections which can be done online using the DSC scheduling platform. Inquiries about inspections can be made to the DSC office or by calling the Inspection Service at (858) 492-5070. General inquiries related to the DSC's mechanical work permitting and inspection process can also be directed to (619) 446-5000 or in person at the San Diego Development Services Center offices at:

What Kind of HVAC Services Do You Offer?

Another thing to check for when looking for an HVAC contractor in San Diego is that they have the essential skill set for the type of HVAC work that needs to be done. Installation services, maintenance services, repair services, and emergency services are the four basic categories of HVAC work. Although many HVAC contractors are qualified to handle a variety of HVAC-related services under more than one of these categories, some contractors choose to specialize in a particular area of HVAC work and refine their expertise there. As a result, before making any hiring decisions, make sure that the contractors you're considering specialize in the type of HVAC work you need done. After you've confirmed this, you'll want to find out how much these contractors charge for their services. The average cost estimates for HVAC services in San Diego are:

Do You Offer Emergency HVAC Services in San Diego?

Oftentimes, an HVAC-related issue will arise that necessitates the services of an HVAC contractor. Such issues could emerge as a result of poor preventative maintenance, inexperienced servicing, or aging systems. Refrigerant leaks, frozen evaporator coils, broken thermostats, clogged drains, fan malfunction, and polluted condenser coils are all emergency HVAC issues. These issues can lead to a lot of inconvenience in the home as well as an increase in your electricity bill. Leaky air ducts, for example, can cause the most significant increase in energy use. With residents of San Diego paying around $20.45 per kilowatts for electricity, and given that any unnecessary increase in energy use can adversely affect your utility bills, it is only reasonable to want to fix HVAC-related problems as soon as possible. Nevertheless, it is important that you ensure that the HVAC contractor you are hiring is properly licensed and well-versed in emergency services. With that in mind, you can search for and find a duly licensed and properly skilled HVAC contractor online by using several internet directories including Yelp and Better Business Bureau.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for HVAC Contractors in San Diego?

According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 7900 non-fatal HVAC-related occupational injuries occurred in 2020. With the high number of HVAC-related injuries that happen in a year, it is only reasonable to ensure that your prospective HVAC contractor is duly insured. This insurance will protect you from liability in the event of the injury of a hired contractor. The California Contractors State Licensing Board (CSLB) is responsible for checking the insurance status of contractors in San Diego. Contractors in the city are mandatorily required to have workers' compensation insurance, unless they have no employees, or meet other exemption criteria determined by the CSLB. In addition to or in lieu of a worker's compensation insurance, HVAC contractors may carry a valid Certification of Self-Insurance from the Department of Industrial Relations. It is important you always request proof of insurance from your intended HVAC contractor and authenticate it with the relevant insurance provider. You can also authenticate using the CSLB insurance search feature. Finally, while it is not mandatory, it is also a good idea to ensure that your HVAC contractor has proper general liability insurance to cover the cost of any damages or on-the-job injuries that may take place during your project. You can confirm that your intended contractor's liability insurance coverage is adequate for your project by requesting a copy of their insurance certificate and contacting the issuing organization to authenticate it.