Requirements for residential HVAC electrification

Menlo Park encourages replacing gas appliances with electric versions to control air temperature within a dwelling. Heat pumps are a type of electrical appliance. Their operation requires a minimum amount of ventilation and electrical power per manufacturer design. Provide the following information in a Building Pre-Application (BPA) to demonstrate compliance with both the California Building Standards and manufacturer’s requirements.

Permit application with complete project scope

  • Describe existing and new HVAC appliance locations
  • If newly located in crawlspace/basement, specify fire protection of framing above appliance according to CRC R302.13
  • Describe location and amperage of main house electrical panel
  • Specify both installation per manufacturer instructions and ducting insulated per CMC 605

Plan set

  1. Plans are required. Please include the following information in a plan set.
  2. First page of plans
    • Scope of work matching permit application (see above)
    • Statement that scope shall comply with 2022 CRC, CMC, CPC, CEC, Energy, CALGreen, and Menlo Park Municipal Codes
  3. Existing appliance, electrical panel, and receptacle locations/sizes
  4. New appliance location(s)
  5. Details or specifications, as needed
    • Fire protection of framing above appliance per CRC R302.13
    • Appliance platform per CMC 303.4
    • Refrigerant line protection per CPC 312.4
    • Refrigerant access port locking per CMC 1105.11
    • Appliance disconnect per CEC 210.63
    • GFI receptacle per CMC 303.8.5
    • The bottom of all building machinery or equipment must be installed above the Design Flood Elevation (DFE). The Design Flood Elevation is defined as the Base Flood Elevation (BFE), plus a minimum of 12". Please contact the Engineering Division to determine the BFE for your project parcel.
  6. On every sheet in the plan set, include in the border/margin
    • Homeowner’s name and address
    • Name and signature of person responsible for information presented
    • Contractor name and license number

Product specifications

  • Separate PDF file of manufacturer’s installation manual
  • Or manufacturer’s operating manual

Title 24 energy code

Electrical load calculations

New electrical appliances present additional electrical demand on the house panel. Separate calculations required if the house panel is smaller than 200 amps to confirm it can support the additional load.

Contact us

Jom Sicat, Plan Check Engineer
650-330-6723
JSicat@menlopark.gov

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