Mini-split AC Process Question

Can anyone give me a brief step-by-step breakdown of what’s involved in getting a mini-split system approved for installation in NYC? I understand how they work and what’s involved in the installation, but what does the DOB require (no luck finding anything on their site) in terms of permits, plans, etc.? Who does this and is there an inspection involved? I’ve got an estimate from an ME, but its coming in higher than the cost of the equipment. I also know I need a 220 line put in.

neilw

in Heating and Cooling 11 years and 10 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

arch007 | 11 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4925 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4913 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "29788"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "arch007"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BmUayxc5ELlzTIdlUTyRSsuBuiKM24."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "arch007"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(16) "master@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(34) "http:///forums/users/architect777/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:16:38"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "arch007"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(29788)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

not only do you need a permit, but i think you need an equipment use permit. hope someone can verify.

dorkofwindsor | 11 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4924 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4923 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176774"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$Bov.472kQmY8OGlKN.dDXa5nt5gnOG0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "dorkofwindsor@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(28) "/forums/users/dorkofwindsor/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:48"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "dorkofwindsor"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176774)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Practically speaking, unless its part of a larger reno that has permits being pulled, much of the time people retrofitting just blow off the permit.

Smokychimp | 11 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4919 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4926 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "6560"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(10) "Smokychimp"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BeMvFcQgeVVWQqr5UUvLVD3Ew9JF5l."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(10) "Smokychimp"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "brikbrikbrik@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(52) "http://bstoner.wpengine.com/forums/users/smokychimp/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2008-01-15 21:04:40"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(10) "Smokychimp"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(6560)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Respect to Steam Man but his answer is incorrect. City code requires a permit to install any new mechanical system beyond a window-unit air conditioner. This requirement is not based on the unit’s tonnage. To address the question of the expense of an ME, get a different one. Drawings signed and sealed for this sort of work shouldn’t be more than, say, $1500\. There are plenty of small shop engineers that would be happy to do this for that kind of work.

neilw | 11 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4925 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4927 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "7168"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(5) "neilw"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BdvFvjfHrNDJHS2NVnchOVtLOiips0."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(5) "neilw"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "nwehrle@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(27) "http:///forums/users/neilw/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:13:48"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "jADGlwNf12uleAzCXqdd"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(5) "neilw"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(7168)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Thanks @Steam_Man – very helpful.

steam_man | 11 years and 10 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4924 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4928 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "176846"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "steam_man"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BwTjqVdzbefHKag0RU5TXaF7tQCivs."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "steam_man"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(25) "heat@moltenmechanical.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "http:///forums/users/steam_man/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:50"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "steam_man"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(176846)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

A very simplified answer is that permits will not be needed for a system under 5 tons (60 MBTU). Variations apply but we have not had to file for a mini-split system yet. That being said, other permits may be required if you choose to place the condenser(s) on the roof and need dunnage. Electric requires permits if capacity needs to be added.   -Steam_Man