How HOA Affects HVAC

If you live in a neighborhood or building that’s governed by a homeowners’ association (HOA), you pay a monthly or annual fee and in return your HOA covers the costs of specific property upkeep and repairs. HOA agreements typically contain a list of rules and guidelines that you must follow, as well, and there are usually HVAC requirements included.

To learn the specific rules you’re subject to, it’s wise to thoroughly read your HOA agreement. As a general guide, here’s how an HOA can impact different aspects of your HVAC:

Outdoor Components

A neighborhood HOA can dictate acceptable locations for your air conditioner or heat pump’s outdoor condenser unit, and the different ways you can hide the unit from view.

• If you’re installing a new unit, you may have to put it in the same location as the older unit you’re replacing.
• Before you install a fence or plant shrubs or trees around your outdoor unit, you may have to get HOA approval for the type and height of the fence, or the specific types of landscape plantings you want to use.

Indoor Components

If you own a townhouse or condominium that shares the use of building systems, your HOA agreement should spell out HVAC requirements like acceptable installations and who’s responsible for the maintenance, repair or replacement of different components. Oftentimes, it depends on where the components are situated:

• Owners are usually responsible for everything contained within their unit’s perimeter, as defined by the walls, ceilings and floors. This typically includes HVAC components situated within and serving only your unit, like an individual air handler, cooling coil and furnace.
• The HOA usually has to cover the costs of upkeep on HVAC components that are situated behind the walls and ceilings or that form part of a whole building system, like the HVAC ductwork.
• If you want to install a kitchen or bathroom exhaust fan that vents outdoors, you’ll likely have to get HOA approval beforehand, since the installation affects the building’s exterior.

For expert HVAC services in the Middletown area, contact us today at C.R. Wolfe Heating & Air Conditioning.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Middletown, New York about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 845-367-4482.

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