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How to prepare your home for AC installation
Clear access to the outdoor unit, the indoor unit and the electrical panel; confirm HOA or landlord approval; arrange parking and pets; and agree in writing who pulls the permit and books the Title 24 rater. Then keep the finalled permit and test results.
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- The checklist at a glance
- Key takeaways
- Before the quote visits
- Approvals to sort out early
- The week before
- On installation day
- Keeping cool while the AC is out
- Paperwork to keep
- Preparation by system type
- Safety: attics, asbestos and electrical
- Renters, landlords and condos
- Questions to settle before install day
- Getting the electrical side ready
- Choosing the outdoor unit spot
- The day after
- Start a file for the system
- Preparing for the quote visits themselves
- Access, room by room
The checklist at a glance
A smooth install day is mostly decided the week before. Most delays come from things the homeowner can sort out early: a blocked attic hatch, a missing HOA approval, nowhere to park the truck.
| When | Do this | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Before quotes | Photograph the old unit's data plate and the panel label | Size, refrigerant and amperage in one visit |
| Before quotes | Find your jurisdiction and utility | Permit office and rebate depend on them |
| After choosing | Get HOA or landlord approval in writing | Outdoor-unit spot can stop a job |
| Week before | Confirm the permit is issued | Work should not start without it |
| Week before | Clear attic hatch, closet and outdoor area | Saves hours on the day |
| Day of | Parking, pets, valuables | Safe, fast work |
| After | Keep permit, test results, warranties | Needed for rebates and resale |
Key takeaways
In short
- Photograph the data plate and the panel label before quotes.
- Get HOA or landlord approval in writing.
- Confirm the permit is issued before work starts.
- Clear access inside and out; keep pets away.
- Keep the finalled permit and test results.
Before the quote visits
- Find the model plate on the old outdoor and indoor units. It shows the model, the size and the refrigerant.
- Photograph the electrical panel label so the contractor can see the amperage. Older LA houses on 100 amps may need an upgrade ($2,000–$7,500 published) for a heat pump.
- Note rooms that run hot or cold. The sizing prep tool collects this for the load calculation.
- Find out your jurisdiction and utility. See which utility serves your property.
Approvals to sort out early
HOA, landlord and neighbors
Condos and many planned communities control where an outdoor unit can go. Get approval for the exact location in writing before you sign. Renters need the landlord's written consent. See AC installation for condos.
The permit is the contractor's job, in their name. Confirm it has been issued before work starts; the permit guide says which office issues yours.
The week before
- HOA or building approval for any new outdoor-unit location, in writing.
- Confirm the permit has been issued in the contractor's name.
- Clear a path to the attic hatch or the closet with the furnace or air handler.
- Move stored items away from the outdoor unit, with a few feet clear around it.
- Trim plants that crowd the outdoor unit's spot.
- Take down wall decor near the work area; attic work can shake it.
On installation day
Outside
- Parking for a truck and, if needed, a crane.
- A clear route from the street to the outdoor unit.
- Gates unlocked.
Inside
- Pets kept away from open doors and the work area.
- Furniture under the attic hatch covered or moved.
- Expect the AC circuit off for part of the day.
Ask these on arrival
Where will the crew work and walk? Which circuits will be off? When will the system be running? Who do I call if something comes up?
Keeping cool while the AC is out
DOE notes a ceiling fan lets you raise the thermostat "about 4°F without any loss in comfort" (DOE Energy Saver Guide). On install day, keep blinds closed on the sunny side, run fans, and plan the work for a mild day if you can.
Paperwork to keep
- The finalled permit.
- The Title 24 test results from the third-party rater.
- Model and serial numbers, and the equipment registration confirmation.
- The equipment and labor warranty terms.
- The start-up readings.
LADWP's heat pump rebate application requires the final approved permit. See what to check after installation.
Preparation by system type
| System | Extra preparation |
|---|---|
| Central AC replacement | Attic or closet access to the coil; outdoor pad area clear |
| Heat pump replacing a furnace | Panel photo; access to the gas shut-off; furnace closet clear |
| Mini-split | Decide head locations; clear the wall area inside and out; HOA approval |
| New ductwork | Full attic or crawlspace access; ask about old duct wrap |
Safety: attics, asbestos and electrical
Leave these to the crew
- Do not move old duct wrap or insulation yourself; some older material may contain asbestos, which needs a licensed abatement contractor.
- Do not open the electrical panel cover.
- Keep children and pets out of the attic and away from the outdoor work area.
Renters, landlords and condos
- Renters: get the landlord's written consent before any quote, and agree who owns the equipment.
- Landlords: give tenants notice, plan around occupied units and keep the permit for your records.
- Condo owners: HOA approval for the outdoor unit and any wall penetration. See AC installation for condos.
Questions to settle before install day
- What time will the crew arrive, and how many days on site?
- Where will the outdoor unit go, exactly?
- Will the power to the whole house go off at any point?
- Is removal of the old equipment included?
- Who books the rater and the inspection?
More in questions to ask an HVAC installer.
Getting the electrical side ready
Photograph the main panel label and the breaker for the existing AC. The contractor can then tell from the photos whether the service has room for the new equipment.
| If the job is | Electrical to expect | Published LA cost |
|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like AC | Usually the existing circuit and disconnect | — |
| Heat pump replacing a gas furnace | Possible new circuit; panel check | $2,000–$7,500 if a 100 A to 200 A upgrade is needed |
| Several single-zone mini-splits | A circuit per outdoor unit | Ask for it as a line item |
Choosing the outdoor unit spot
- Ask where the contractor plans to put it, and why.
- Check the spot against HOA rules and your city's setback and noise rules.
- Keep it clear of bedroom windows if noise worries you.
- Make sure it can be reached for service.
- Ask whether the manufacturer's clearances are met.
The day after
- Check every room cools and the thermostat holds the setpoint.
- Look for water near the indoor unit and the condensate drain outlet.
- Confirm the dates for the rater and the final inspection.
- Register the equipment if the contractor has not.
Start a file for the system
Keep one folder, paper or digital, for the new system: the signed contract, the permit, the Title 24 test results, start-up readings, the warranty registration and every service visit after. It helps with warranty claims, rebate applications and when you sell the house.
Preparing for the quote visits themselves
- Have last summer's electric bills to hand; they show how hard the system worked.
- Know which rooms you most want cooled.
- Decide whether you want heating too, so a heat pump can be priced.
- Ask every contractor the same questions, and record the answers in the quote comparison tool.
Access, room by room
| Area | What to clear | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Front path and gate | A clear route, gate unlocked | Equipment comes in and out |
| Attic hatch | Space below, items moved | Coil, air handler and ducts |
| Furnace closet or garage | Stored items moved | Indoor unit access |
| Electrical panel | Nothing stacked in front | Circuits shut off and checked |
| Outdoor unit area | A few feet clear, plants trimmed | Removal, new pad and service |
Sources
- LADWP, "Consumer Rebate Program" (retrieved 2026-10-20)
- California Energy Commission, "Building Energy Efficiency Resources for Single Family Homes" (retrieved 2026-09-29)
- US Department of Energy, "Energy Saver Guide: Tips on Saving Money and Energy at Home" (2022) (retrieved 2026-10-18)
- Reliable Heating and Air (Woodland Hills), AC installation cost in LA and Ventura County (retrieved 2026-09-29)
- Cold Cloud (Glendale), central air cost in Los Angeles (retrieved 2026-09-29)
Questions
Do I need to clear my attic for AC installation?
Clear a path to the attic hatch and the indoor unit, and cover anything below the hatch. The crew needs safe access to the coil, air handler and ducts.
Should I be home during the installation?
Be there at the start and end, and reachable in between. Someone also needs to provide access for the rater and the final inspection.
Do I need HOA approval for a new AC?
Often, in condos and planned communities, especially for a new outdoor-unit location. Get the exact location approved in writing before you sign.
Who gets the permit, me or the contractor?
The contractor, in their own name, under their CSLB license. Confirm the permit is issued before work starts.
What should I do with pets?
Keep them away from open doors, the attic and the outdoor work area for the day. Crews move in and out often.
How much space does the outdoor unit need?
The manufacturer's installation instructions set the clearances. As a homeowner, keep the area clear and ask the contractor to confirm the spot meets them.
What paperwork do I need for an LADWP rebate?
At least the final approved Building and Safety permit, plus the invoice and model details. Check the current application requirements on LADWP's Consumer Rebate Program page.
How can I stay cool while the AC is being replaced?
Close blinds on the sunny side and run fans. DOE says a ceiling fan lets you raise the thermostat about 4 °F without losing comfort.
Do I need to move furniture?
Only near the attic hatch, the indoor unit and the paths the crew will use. Cover what you cannot move.
Should I tell my neighbors?
It helps if a truck or crane will block a shared driveway or street, or if the outdoor unit will sit near their property line.
Next step
Free quote request
Get a quote to check against these numbers
- Tell us about the job. Service, ZIP, property and timing. The form says right away if your ZIP is outside the area.
- We check the license first. Requests go only to contractors whose CSLB C-20 license we have matched on the state register. If none covers your ZIP yet, we email you and say so.
- Compare what comes back. Line the written quote up against the published ranges and the quote checklist.
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