CSLB URGES HVAC CONTRACTORS TO AVOID CUSTOMER DISPUTES BY FOLLOWING ENERGY EFFICIENCY REQUIREMENTS

The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) and California Energy Commission (CEC) are encouraging C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning (HVAC) contractors to follow California’s energy efficiency standards that took effect at the beginning of 2010. CEC has been informed of several disputes between contractors and consumers because of the costs associated with required testing and other work that ensures installations comply with the Building Energy Efficiency Standards.

Licensed contractors are required to know the applicable laws, regulations, and codes pertaining to all work performed within their licensing classification. To avoid conflict, licensed contractors must inform their clients of the costs associated with the required testing to ensure their systems are functioning properly, including testing by Home Energy Rating System (HERS) raters, when required. Contracts should fully detail all labor, services, materials, and equipment to be installed, and provide a total cost associated with the installation.

Under the California Code of Regulations, Title 24, Part 6, contractors installing new, or replacing existing, heating and air-conditioning equipment in certain climate zones must ensure that heating and air-conditioning ducts have been properly sealed and that the refrigerant charge level installed in split systems is properly measured.

For more information about license requirements, license laws, and contract requirements, visit CSLB’s website. For questions about the Building Energy Efficiency Standards (Title 24, Part 6), HERS regulations (Title 20), duct testing or additional testing requirements, contact CEC’s hotline at (916) 654-5106 or (800) 772-3300, via e-mail at Title24@energy.state.ca.us, or on the CEC website, which also provides the updated forms for energy efficiency standards requirements in some climate zones.

CORPORATIONS, LLC'S & FILING INFORMATION

If your business is a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC), you might be receiving official looking third party solicitations to file a Statement of Information form or to terminate your business. They usually request exorbitant fees for them to file these documents with the Secretary of State on your behalf. These documents look very official.

No business has to go through a third party (attorney or otherwise) to file these forms. The forms can be found on the Secretary of States website along with all of the filing fee information and how to file. Please note, you can use a third party to file these forms for you if you want to or are unsure how to do it yourself, but it is not mandatory.

If you receive on of these deceptive letters and would like to complain, you can send the letter along with a written complaint to the California Attorney General's office. Please include all documents received including the envelope the letter was received in and any return envelopes, if applicable. You can print a complaint form from their website at www.ag.ca.gov/consumers/general.php. The address is:

California Attorney General
Public Inquiry Unit
P.O. Box 944255
Sacramento, CA 94244-2550

For more information about these letters and more, you can visit www.sos.ca.gov/business/be/alert-misleading-solicitations.htm