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Are You Licensed to Practice as an HVAC Contractor in Charlotte?

Any individual that intends to carry out HVAC work in Charlotte must obtain a valid license from either the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors or the North Carolina State Board of Refrigeration Contractors (NCSBRC). Anyone in Charlotte that is involved in the installation, repair, maintenance, or servicing of refrigerating machines, equipment, components, or devices must obtain a license from the NCSBRC. Eligible persons must have at least 4,000 hours of practical HVAC-related work experience and will be required to take an exam and pay the stipulated fees. Half of the required experience can be made up of technical or academic training directly related to the refrigerating field.

You can find licensed refrigeration contractors, which includes air condition contractors, by visiting the Licensee Search portal provided by the board for this purpose. Although Charlotte does not expressly punish unlicensed HVAC contractors, any contract entered into by the contractor without the appropriate license is considered void. As such, that contractor cannot apply to the courts to recover any money if the client refuses to honor the contract.

Similarly, heating contractors can obtain a license from the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors by first completing an Examination Application, and then completing an Application for Plumbing, Heating, or Fuel Piping Technician if they pass the initial examination. The applicant will be required to pay an exam fee of $100 and can send the completed applications to

You should check if the heating contractor you want to hire is properly licensed by utilizing the License Search portal provided by the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors for this purpose. You can also contact the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating, and Fire Sprinkler Contractors for inquiries on licenses issued by it by calling (919) 875-3612. Likewise, for inquiries relating to refrigeration contractors, you can contact the North Carolina State Board of Refrigeration Contractors at (919)779-4711.

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

The amount charged by HVAC contractors in Charlotte generally depends on a couple of factors. Some of these factors are the nature of work you want to be done, the cost of getting materials and permits, and the contractor's local reputation and expertise. Before you decide on a contractor to hire, you should make sure that you obtain multiple bids and estimates from different sources, so you can choose the best fit.

An HVAC Contractor in Charlotte earns an annual average wage of $43,150. The table below provides a cost comparison of the mean hourly wages for HVAC contractors in Charlotte against those of HVAC Contractors in the rest of North Carolina as well as other major cities in the United States:

Do You Comply with Charlotte Building Code for HVAC Work?

All heating and cooling work in Charlotte must be carried out in accordance with the North Carolina 2018 Mechanical Code. The code stipulates the minimum standards that contractors are to adhere to when carrying out installations, repairs, maintenance, and all other related work on heating and cooling systems, refrigeration equipment, and all other related appliances. The code also provides the minimum standards for energy conservation and other related factors in buildings and property in Charlotte with the intention of preserving the health, welfare, and public safety of Charlotte residents.

It is important to always hire HVAC contractors that adhere to the mechanical code as this will ensure that your work is done to the best standards. Also, failing to adhere to the code could result in sanctions and penalties when an inspection of your work is done. You can contact the Code Information and Resource Center of the Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement Department at (980) 314-2633 for more information on the North Carolina 2018 Mechanical Code and its requirements for your intended HVAC project.

Will You Get the HVAC Permits as Required by Charlotte Code?

In compliance with North Carolina General Statute 160D-1110, a permit is required for most residential and commercial heating and cooling work in Charlotte with the exception of residential work that costs less than $15,000. These permits are issued by the Mecklenburg County Code Enforcement Department for the installation, general repair, extension, or alteration of mechanical systems done within Charlotte.

Mechanical permits issued by the County Code Enforcement Department can be obtained by general contractors or homeowners, and this department provides various online portals through which permit applications can be made. For example, homeowners can apply for permits through its Homeowner Internet Permitting portal if the project in question costs less than $30,000, which is the limit for homeowners for HVAC work. Likewise, contractors can obtain permits for residential projects through the department's Trade Internet Permitting portal, while commercial permits can be obtained using the Other Permits portal. After the completion of the project, inspections are to be scheduled with the Code Enforcement Department to certify compliance with the city's codes and regulations. You can direct permit-related queries to the department by calling (980) 314- 2633 or by visiting the office in person at

What Kind of HVAC Services Do You Offer?

HVAC contractors in Charlotte are generally qualified to carry out a variety of services on heating and cooling systems in the city. Some of these contractors specialize in installing, repairing, and installing residential heating and cooling equipment including home air conditioners and furnaces. Other HVAC contractors may specialize in simply commercial or industrial heating and cooling projects, or a particular aspect of heating and cooling work like installations or maintenance. When you want to hire an HVAC contractor, it is important that you confirm the contractor's area of specialty and ensure that the chosen contractor has the requisite skill to solve your problem. After confirming the given expertise of the contractor, it is also a good idea to know what your project or repairs would cost. Provided below are average cost estimates for common HVAC services in Charlotte:

Do You Offer Emergency HVAC Services in Charlotte?

It is not uncommon for you to find yourself in a situation where you urgently need the services of an HVAC contractor. You might have run out of gas in your air conditioner or have broken fans, or leaking refrigerant. Failing to attend to any of these situations could result in increased energy use and energy use bills in your home, so it is always a good idea to find an HVAC contractor to attend to your emergency as soon as you notice it.

Note that even though you need to attend to HVAC emergencies immediately, you should always carry out proper checks before you hire any HVAC contractor near you. It is very important that you still verify that your intended contractor has the requisite skill, expertise, and license to handle your project. You also need to make sure that the contractor is familiar with your location and can get to you in good time when the need arises. You can find reputable HVAC contractors through reputable third-party sites like the Better Business Bureau or the Plumbing-Heating-Cooling Contractors Association.

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

Data published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics suggest that HVAC contractors and technicians have one of the highest rates of injuries and accidents among professions in the United States. With a lot of on-the-job hazards such as fires, electrocution, and muscle strains, it is unwise for any HVAC contractor to carry out work without adequate insurance. Asides from protecting the contractor, insurance can help to protect you as a homeowner from liability for any injuries from workplace accidents. While Charlotte does not mandate HVAC contractors to have insurance, there are a variety of insurance covers available to HVAC contractors that provide services to its residents, including general liability insurance. Therefore, before you decide to hire an HVAC contractor, you should do well to find out if the contractor has a valid insurance cover. You can do this by requesting a copy of the contractor's insurance certificate and calling the listed provider to verify its validity.