New Air Conditioner on the Horizon? You’ll Now Need This…

Across Sussex County, permitting regulations are changing rapidly. For example, as of April, in Ocean View homeowners are required to supply an elevation certificate before a permit will be issued to replace your HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) equipment. If you don’t have an elevation certificate, you will have to contract a surveyor to provide one to you, which could cost up to $2,000. If you already have flood insurance, chances are your insurance company required an elevation certificate before putting you under coverage. If so, you would just need to check that the certificate hasn’t expired.

These new policies are meant to ensure that heating and cooling equipment will be installed above the new federally mandated revised flood plain. Unfortunately, this regulation means that the process of replacing your HVAC equipment is more costly and proceeds less quickly than it used to (sometimes by days). There are similar regulations in place in South Bethany and Dewey Beach and other towns may not be far behind.

Many of our clients have expressed concerns over these changes and, unfortunately, we are bound by the policies of the towns we work in, just like you. What we can do is recommend that, if your equipment is on its last legs or you’ve been trying to eke out one (or two or three) more seasons, consider these permitting logistics. Extra time and money when your air conditioner isn’t working in the heat of summer will mean extra headaches for you and/or your tenants. If you have the option, consider replacing air conditioning or heating in a preventative manner instead of an emergency one.

We’re happy to answer your questions about permitting regulations in your town with the information we have. However, as processes evolve in the various towns, we may not always have the most up to date information. We encourage you to contact your town if you have specific questions or concerns regarding these policies.

If you’d like more information about preventative replacement, we are available for free estimates and information on financing (0% APR for 36 months) and available rebates (up to $1,100 through the end of June), please call us at 877-696-0808.