Posts by Marie Solpico
HVAC Permit Rejected? Common Reasons and What to Do Next
HVAC permit rejected or returned with correction comments? You submitted your plans to the building department, but instead of approval, you received a notice asking for changes to the HVAC documentation. Does that mean you have to start over? Not necessarily. A request for corrections often means the reviewer needs additional information, clarification, or updated…
Read MoreCommercial HVAC Permit Requirements: What to Submit
Quick disclaimer: This article explains commercial HVAC permit requirements in general terms and is for informational purposes only. Requirements vary by state, county and city, and codes change. Always confirm what your building department needs before you submit. Commercial HVAC permit requirements: the short answer The lease is signed. The build-out drawings are nearly done.…
Read MoreConverting a House to a Commercial Office: HVAC Load Guide
The building is unchanged. The parking stalls where the lawn used to be are the only clue that the load isn’t. The short answer Converting a house to commercial office space changes the HVAC load even when nothing about the building changes. Three things move: ventilation becomes a code obligation, internal gains from people, lighting…
Read MoreHeat Pump vs Straight Cool AC in Florida: Which Is Better?
Quick disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. Equipment costs, incentive programs, and code requirements change over time, and every home has a different load. Always confirm system selection and sizing with a licensed HVAC professional and a project-specific load calculation. ProCalcs LLC assumes no…
Read MoreAC Blowing Air But Not Cold? Here’s Why — and What to Check Before You Call a Pro
Quick disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. HVAC systems involve electrical and refrigerant hazards. Always consult a licensed HVAC technician for repairs, and never attempt work you’re not comfortable performing. ProCalcs LLC assumes no liability for actions taken based on this content. It’s the…
Read MoreHVAC for New Construction: Get the Spec Right Before the Build
The heating and cooling system is one of the few decisions in a new home that is expensive to fix once the drywall goes up. Crews bury the ducts in the walls, size and order the equipment, and fix the thermostat location. Getting HVAC for new construction right is a design-phase decision, not an install-day…
Read MoreAC Stopped Working? 2026 Repair Delays and R-410A Costs
Your AC stopped working. It’s the oldest summer story there is. But if it happens to you this year, you’re walking into a version of it that no homeowner has faced before. Record-breaking heat. A nationwide shortage of HVAC technicians. And a once-in-a-generation refrigerant transition that is quietly rewriting the price tag on both repairs…
Read MoreCommercial HVAC Case Study: A Tenant Fit-Out Project
The job most commercial tenants don’t see coming A pet grooming spa signs a lease on a 1,716 square foot retail space in Utah, a typical commercial tenant fit-out HVAC project. The shell is built. The landlord is providing a packaged rooftop unit. The build-out drawings are nearly complete. Permit submission is days away. Then…
Read MoreResidential Renovation HVAC Design: What to Know First
Residential renovation season brings a familiar rhythm: blueprints on the table, contractors lining up trades, homeowners picking finishes. What often gets scheduled last — sometimes not at all — is HVAC design. That is a problem. And it tends to show up right after drywall goes up. Kitchen remodels, additions, garage conversions, window replacements, insulation…
Read MoreCommercial HVAC Case Study: Fixing an Installed System Without Redesign
Based on a real commercial project HVAC systems are sometimes installed before final design calculations are completed. When that happens, projects can face permit issues, delays, or costly redesigns. This is a common issue in commercial HVAC projects where installation moves ahead of finalized design. In this case study, we walk through how we…
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