AC installation in Santa Monica
A new system sized to the house, permitted with the city, and tested before we hand it over.
In Santa Monica a new air conditioner is permitted by the city's own Building and Safety division, not by LADBS.
An HVAC addition or replacement goes in on a Single Trade Permit application or through Electronic Plan Review. When the job stays under the city's mechanical, electrical and plumbing plan-review thresholds it gets same-day plan review; larger jobs go to Medium Plan Review, where the first review takes about three weeks. The Building and Safety counter is at City Hall, 1685 Main Street.
We prepare the application, book the inspection and keep the paperwork with the job.
What changes from one address to the next
Inside Santa Monica
North of Montana, Sunset Park, Pico, Ocean Park: a City of Santa Monica permit.
Just over the line
Brentwood, Pacific Palisades, Venice and Marina del Rey are in the City of Los Angeles or unincorporated county, so the permit comes from LADBS or LA County.
Climate zone 6 testing
Santa Monica is in California climate zone 6, so the refrigerant charge verification required further inland does not apply. The HERS test on a changeout here is the duct test.
Plan review size
Small like-for-like changeouts usually fit same-day review. Bigger changes to ducts or electrical can take longer.
Sizing and the install day
With mild weather most of the year, a Santa Monica house rarely needs a big system. We size it from the house: rooms, windows, insulation and the ducts, not from the old unit's label. Most of the city's homes predate 1980, and 85% predate 1990, so old ductwork is tested and sealed or replaced, because a new system on leaking ducts never performs as rated.
If you also want efficient heating, a heat pump does both jobs with one outdoor unit. For rooms without ducts, see ductless mini splits.
From quote to sign-off
Home visit
We measure, look at the ducts and the electrical panel, and talk through options.
Written quote
Equipment, ductwork, permit and testing, itemised.
Install
Old equipment out, new system in, refrigerant lines and drain done properly.
Test and inspect
Duct leakage tested, then the city inspection closes the permit.
Installation questions from Santa Monica
Who issues the permit for a new air conditioner in Santa Monica?
The City of Santa Monica Building and Safety division, on a Single Trade Permit or through Electronic Plan Review. Venice, Brentwood and the Palisades are LADBS or LA County instead.
How long does a Santa Monica HVAC permit take?
Jobs under the city's plan-review thresholds get same-day plan review. Larger jobs go to Medium Plan Review, with about three weeks for the first review.
Is a refrigerant charge test needed in Santa Monica?
No. In climate zone 6 the HERS check on a changeout is the duct leakage test; charge verification applies in zones further inland.
Planning a new system? We will visit, measure and quote it in writing.
A new system, done properly
Call us, or send the form and we will call you back, every day, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Also look at Home.