Do I need a permit to add a heat pump or AC?

Electrical work usually needs a permit, and some municipalities have rules on outdoor unit placement and noise. The contractor will know local requirements.

Where should the outdoor unit go?

Somewhere with good airflow, away from bedroom windows if possible, on a solid base, with space for service. Check any setback rules with your municipality.

Air Conditioning & Cooling · Victoria, BC

Air Conditioning & Cooling in Victoria, BC

Most Victoria homes were built without air conditioning. Since the 2021 heat wave, a lot of owners have been adding cooling, usually through a heat pump that also heats in winter.

HVAC repairs, renovations and new projects
Every municipality in Greater Victoria
Get a quote before any work starts

Why it's needed now

Victoria's average summer high is about 20°C, but inland areas run hotter, and the city reached 39.8°C on June 28, 2021. Upper floors, west-facing rooms and modern well-sealed homes can stay uncomfortably hot for days.

Heat pumps cool too

A heat pump is an air conditioner that can run in reverse. Choosing a heat pump instead of a cooling-only unit gives you efficient heat in winter as well. See heat pumps.

Ductless for hot rooms

A single ductless head in a hot bedroom or top-floor living area is often the simplest way to cool the rooms that matter most, without running ducts. See ductless mini-splits.

Portable units

Portable and window units help in a pinch, but they're noisy, less efficient and can be hard to fit in some windows. They're a stopgap, not a long-term fix.

When cooling stops

Warm air from the vents, ice on the indoor coil or refrigerant lines, water leaking indoors or a unit that hums but doesn't start. Turn the system off if you see ice and check the filter; refrigerant problems need a certified technician.

Plan before summer

Spring is the best time to add cooling, before the first hot spell fills technicians' schedules. Send a request and an HVAC technician will get in touch.

Sizing for cooling

An oversized unit cools quickly but switches off before removing humidity, leaving rooms clammy. A heat-loss and heat-gain calculation sizes the system for both winter and summer, so you get comfort in both seasons.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a permit to add a heat pump or AC?: Electrical work usually needs a permit, and some municipalities have rules on outdoor unit placement and noise. The contractor will know local requirements.
Where should the outdoor unit go?: Somewhere with good airflow, away from bedroom windows if possible, on a solid base, with space for service. Check any setback rules with your municipality.

Other HVAC services

Heat PumpsDucted and ductless heat pumps that heat in winter and cool in summer.Ductless Mini-SplitsWall-mounted heat pump heads for homes without ducts, room by room.Furnace RepairGas, electric and oil furnaces that won't start, blow cold or cycle.Oil Furnace ReplacementSwitching from oil heat to a heat pump, gas or hybrid system.HVAC MaintenanceSeasonal tune-ups for heat pumps, furnaces, boilers and mini-splits.Boilers & Radiant HeatHot water boilers, radiators and in-floor heat, repaired or replaced.Ductwork & VentilationDuct repairs and sealing, HRVs, fans and better filtration.

Need air conditioning & cooling in Victoria?

Send a request and an HVAC technician will get in touch. Requests answered 7 days a week.

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