Do we need/should we get a WSSC permit to go from gas to electric water heater?

[Anonymous]

We are switching from a gas water heater to an electric heat-pump water heater. We will get a permit for the electrical work, but all the plumbers we've talked to have made it sound like getting a WSSC permit for the water heater switch is an unnecessary hassle and most people don't do it (they will do it if we want but charge extra for it.)

What's the deal with this? Is it true that most people don't bother with the permits? How much of a hassle are they? Is it unwise to skip one, or is this a "yeah, you're supposed to get permits for your small backyard shed too but almost no one really does it" situation? Have you been through this, and if so, what did you choose and how do you feel about the choice?

[Anonymous]

I'm a contractor (HVAC) and I pull permits for all my jobs. I do because my business is fairly large and I do a good volume of work. When it hits the fan I need all my T's crossed. Residential plumbers are either one truck operations or work for PE backed goliaths. Most one truck guys feel pulling a permit is a waste of their time when they could be making money fixing something.

My advice to you since you already have another contractor pulling a permit for the electric is make sure a plumbing permit is also pulled for the water heater. Also know that its on the contractor not the homeowner to pull these. If an inspector walks in to look at the electric and asks about the permit for the water heater give him a copy of the plumber's invoice. The permit office will deal with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Also know that its on the contractor not the homeowner to pull these. If an inspector walks in to look at the electric and asks about the permit for the water heater give him a copy of the plumber's invoice. The permit office will deal with them.

Thanks for the helpful reply!

Does this mean we would not be "in trouble" for unpermitted work if we go with a plumber that doesn't want to pull the permit-- that the liability and responsibility is on them, not on us? (Also is there any real safety issue here, or is it just bureaucracy?)

[Anonymous]

All the local jurisdictions around here require the contractor to pull the permit when it comes to the trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC). I know a homeowner can't pull an HVAC permit if they wanted to, not sure about the other trades. The only time this could turn into a headache for you is if your knowingly using someone unlicensed to do the work or doing it yourself.

Home Depot sells water heaters to anyone and 0% of homeowners who DIY a replacement are getting a permit or inspection. An electric water heater would have to be really be hacked in to create an unsafe situation. Natural Gas powered ones are where you want to make sure its installed to code.

[Anonymous]

I know it's a highly exaggerated worry but consider whether or not your homeowners will cover a claim if you didn't get an appropriately licensed trade to do the work and pull the permits. When it comes to electric, plumbing and gas I always get them.

We completed a basement remodel that involved moving and replacing our water heater - and the inspector found a couple of mistakes the GC had to fix.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Also know that its on the contractor not the homeowner to pull these. If an inspector walks in to look at the electric and asks about the permit for the water heater give him a copy of the plumber's invoice. The permit office will deal with them.

Thanks for the helpful reply!

Does this mean we would not be "in trouble" for unpermitted work if we go with a plumber that doesn't want to pull the permit-- that the liability and responsibility is on them, not on us? (Also is there any real safety issue here, or is it just bureaucracy?)

You, as the homeowner, get in trouble.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All the local jurisdictions around here require the contractor to pull the permit when it comes to the trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC). I know a homeowner can't pull an HVAC permit if they wanted to, not sure about the other trades. The only time this could turn into a headache for you is if your knowingly using someone unlicensed to do the work or doing it yourself.

Home Depot sells water heaters to anyone and 0% of homeowners who DIY a replacement are getting a permit or inspection. An electric water heater would have to be really be hacked in to create an unsafe situation. Natural Gas powered ones are where you want to make sure its installed to code.

A homeowner can pull permits and is responsible for knowing a permit is pulled. Contractors are the homeowners agent. So if he/she does not pull, the homeowner is responsible and penalized.

We have pulled permits and done our own electrical and have had it inspected and passed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the local jurisdictions around here require the contractor to pull the permit when it comes to the trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC). I know a homeowner can't pull an HVAC permit if they wanted to, not sure about the other trades. The only time this could turn into a headache for you is if your knowingly using someone unlicensed to do the work or doing it yourself.

Home Depot sells water heaters to anyone and 0% of homeowners who DIY a replacement are getting a permit or inspection. An electric water heater would have to be really be hacked in to create an unsafe situation. Natural Gas powered ones are where you want to make sure its installed to code.

A homeowner can pull permits and is responsible for knowing a permit is pulled. Contractors are the homeowners agent. So if he/she does not pull, the homeowner is responsible and penalized.

We have pulled permits and done our own electrical and have had it inspected and passed.

Not correct at all. If a contractor is doing work that requires a permit the law and condition of their license is that a permit has to have been issued before the work begins. In MD there was a handful of municipalities that allow the homeowner to take the electrician's exam and pull permits and do work only in their primary residence. Whether to allow those programs to continue to exist has actually been a hot topic now that the Maryland regulates and licenses electricians at the state level. Otherwise in MD and DC a homeowner cannot pull a trade permit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:All the local jurisdictions around here require the contractor to pull the permit when it comes to the trades (plumbing, electrical, HVAC). I know a homeowner can't pull an HVAC permit if they wanted to, not sure about the other trades. The only time this could turn into a headache for you is if your knowingly using someone unlicensed to do the work or doing it yourself.

Home Depot sells water heaters to anyone and 0% of homeowners who DIY a replacement are getting a permit or inspection. An electric water heater would have to be really be hacked in to create an unsafe situation. Natural Gas powered ones are where you want to make sure its installed to code.

A homeowner can pull permits and is responsible for knowing a permit is pulled. Contractors are the homeowners agent. So if he/she does not pull, the homeowner is responsible and penalized.

We have pulled permits and done our own electrical and have had it inspected and passed.

Not correct at all. If a contractor is doing work that requires a permit the law and condition of their license is that a permit has to have been issued before the work begins. In MD there was a handful of municipalities that allow the homeowner to take the electrician's exam and pull permits and do work only in their primary residence. Whether to allow those programs to continue to exist has actually been a hot topic now that the Maryland regulates and licenses electricians at the state level. Otherwise in MD and DC a homeowner cannot pull a trade permit.

This is absolutely correct. I am running my own major addition (lots of experience but no license here, and it's my house anyway). I did all the permit work for the addition. BUT, for electric, plumbing, HVAC, and fire sprinkler, those permits have to be pulled by the tradesperson. They pull them under my building permit, but I cannot pull those trade permits myself. I could do the non-meter/service entrance work of the electrical, if (in Mont. Co.) I passed the homeowners exam (which I would if I had the time), but I've got a great electrician and he's doing everything (with a permit).

[Anonymous]

Regardless of whether a permit is technically required, is capping a gas line a serious enough safety concern that having a permit/inspection is wise in any event?

[Anonymous]

Where is your water heater located and how many people in your household?

Electric and heat pump water heaters take much longer. We had one in our old house and with 4 people someone oftentimes had to wait to shower.

Also, they discharge cold air. If it’s on a main floor or finished basement, you’ll spend more energy to heat, cutting into the savings from the heat pump water heater. But if it’s in the garage, it makes it nice in summer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Regardless of whether a permit is technically required, is capping a gas line a serious enough safety concern that having a permit/inspection is wise in any event?

Nah - once you have it capped just use a match to see if it's leaking.