Condo association policies regarding heat pump installation
Posting this email from Jan Aceti, CMLP:
I am looking for information that will help condominium association boards of trustees who receive requests from owners for permission to install a heat pump system to heat or cool their unit. It is likely that multiple owners in an association will have similar requests in the future, both to add AC and to reduce carbon emissions by using heat pumps to heat their units. A Board may wish to enable unit owners to install heat pumps, while enacting sensible policies regarding the use of common property, such as exterior walls, porches and grounds, for installation of heat pump equipment. There will also be issues around managing the need for higher capacity building electric services, stranding of Association-owned central heating equipment if more people move to individual heat pump systems, etc.
Are you aware of any condo associations that have developed policies addressing these issues? It would be helpful to have a starting point for associations looking to develop heat pump-related policies. I have done an online search for condo/homeowners association policies addressing this issue, and have not been able to find much.
I would be happy to share the information that I compile. Thank you for any help that you can provide.
Jan Aceti
Energy Conservation Coordinator
Concord Municipal Light Plant
978-318-3151
Hi Jan,
A few things that condo associations have been concerned with in Wakefield are noise and appearance. Contractors have had to work around that by getting creative but also following specific guidelines. Examples are, opting for a variable speed heat pump condenser if replacing because they don’t make as much noise. Most prohibit outside lines so it forces lines to go inside which could mean multiple floors and more cost. Balconies and roofs have been used to hide the units and even painting them to match the outside siding. I have a specific set of guidelines that I can send over that contractors have to follow. It’s a good starting point to then work around the specific appearance issues each association has.
Tara Aniello
Office Manager
Wakefield Municipal Gas & Light Department