Can HVAC do Electrical Work? How They Both Connect

HVAC systems help to maintain indoor comfort in homes and office buildings. But can HVAC do electrical work? Find out here!

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems are essential for maintaining a comfortable environment in your home or office building.

So, HVAC system maintenance becomes important.

Sadly, many people overlook these systems until there’s a problem, and then they become serious with it.

A faulty HVAC system can be frustrating. It can make you ask a million questions because you’re looking for a solution.

One common question we get from homeowners at Legendary Heating Plumbing & Cooling is: Can HVAC do electrical work?

If you also need an HVAC system repair, you may be asking the same question.

But there’s a technicality to the question. HVAC technicians may do electrical work, even though the system uses electrical wiring.

In this post, we’ll show you more about the question and how they both connect to make the system function as it should.

HVAC Systems

HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems are essential for maintaining indoor comfort in both residential and commercial buildings.

They help to control the indoor temperature, humidity, and air quality, regardless of the outdoor weather.

But HVAC systems have different elements, like electrical, mechanical, and refrigerant, which make them complex.

This complexity is what makes people ask Can HVAC do electrical work?

Yes, but only for electrical work directly related to the HVAC system itself, like installing components, rewiring motors, and troubleshooting electrical issues within the unit.

Homeowners and businesses must understand how HVAC is related to electrical work, especially when it comes to installations, maintenance, and repairs.

The Connection Between HVAC and Electrical Work

You’ll find a good amount of electrical work with the HVAC systems.

The electrical aspect is a major part of what makes the HVAC system operate.

The thermostat needs to be wired and connected to supply power to the main system so that the compressors, motors, and fans can work.

At Legendary Heating Plumbing & Cooling, our HVAC technicians are well-trained on these electrical aspects as part of their routine work.

They have a solid knowledge and application of basic electrical principles to ensure the system operates properly.

For example, you can call us to install and maintain the electrical connections that power the HVAC unit.

This way, you can be sure that everything is wired correctly and safely.

Also, our technicians always check if there are any electrical issues within the system.

They can check and replace faulty wiring, fix circuit breakers that have tripped, or address issues with the system’s control board, as a way of maintaining HVAC systems.

Why HVAC Technicians Can’t Do All Electrical Work

Even though HVAC technicians can do various electrical tasks connected with heating and cooling systems, it’s not every electrical work they can do due to legality and safety.

Different locations have different local and state licensing laws that control the extent of electrical work HVAC technicians can do.

The purpose of these laws is to allow only qualified and licensed people to do some kind of electrical work.

This way, electrical risks, like shock, fire, and death, can be reduced.

For example, an HVAC technician can do basic electrical tasks, like install a new thermostat, change a capacitor, or run the wiring of an outdoor unit to an indoor unit.

A licensed electrician will do more serious electrical work, like run the wiring of the entire house, upgrade an electrical panel, install new circuits, or fix wiring issues in the house.

This is because these tasks involve a broader understanding of a building’s entire electrical system, which goes beyond the scope of HVAC-specific training.

When to Call a Licensed Electrician

HVAC technicians do their job alright, but as we’ve seen, they can’t do all electrical work.

You need a licensed electrician for some specific situations.

These situations can be that you need an upgrade in your electrical circuit for the HVAC system, or upgrade the electrical panel so it can carry the heavy load, and more.

Also, an electrician’s expertise is necessary for maintaining electrical systems, like when the wiring of your building affects the HVAC system’s operation.

For instance, if the circuit breaker always trips or there’s visible damage to the wiring, you need a professional electrician to handle it.

Another instance where a licensed electrician is needed is during major renovations or new construction.

Why? They make sure that the electrical wiring of the entire building is up to code and safely integrated with the HVAC system.

Other tasks they handle are new outlet installation, fixing lights, and making sure all wiring is correctly grounded and insulated.

They play a critical role in helping maintain the overall safety and performance of the building’s electrical and HVAC systems.

The Importance of Safety and Compliance

It’s important to take local building safety and compliance codes seriously when dealing with HVAC and electrical work.

Improper handling of electrical components can lead to serious hazards, including fires, electrical shocks, system failures, and even death.

That’s why every electrical work that has to do with HVAC systems should be done by qualified and licensed professionals.

The electrical professionals are very knowledgeable about the necessary safety standards and regulations.

So, when you plan to carry out electrical work, use professionals so that legal issues can be avoided when they comply with local electrical codes and regulations.

If you ignore this caution to go ahead with unpermitted or non-compliant electrical work, be ready to face the fines, costly repairs, or difficulties when selling your home.

So, make sure that all parts of the job meet the necessary standards, whether the work is done by an HVAC technician or a licensed electrician.

Conclusion

Now, can HVAC do electrical work? Well, while HVAC technicians can do different electrical jobs when it comes to heating and cooling systems, they can’t do every electrical work, especially more serious electrical work.

You should get a licensed electrician for more complex electrical work, like running the wiring of the entire house, upgrading an electrical panel, installing new circuits, or fixing wiring issues in the house.

When it comes to HVAC services, you can count on us at Legendary Heating Plumbing & Cooling for all of your HVAC needs.

We provide various home comfort services including indoor air quality and sewer services!

Our 40+ years of experience in the heating, cooling, and plumbing industries speak for us.

We’ve gathered a skilled, licensed, and friendly team that can provide the comfort your home needs.

We’re the best you can find around because we do it all. Can’t wait to experience our Legendary service? Contact us today!