Heating and Cooling Repair in Hillsboro, OR

Quick answer

In Hillsboro, the City of Hillsboro handles building permits, and it lists residential AC replacement among the jobs that need a mechanical permit. HVAC Repair Guys fixes furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, and ductless systems in Hillsboro homes. You get the cause in plain words, then you decide what happens next.

Key facts

County	Washington County; Hillsboro is the county seat
HVAC permits issued by	City of Hillsboro, online Permit Portal or Civic Center fourth floor
Electric utility	PGE, per the City of Hillsboro
City energy help	Energy Efficiency Assistance Program, for income-qualified households
Contractor license check (Oregon CCB)	CCB license search, by number, name, or business phone
Smell gas?	Leave the house, then call 911 and, if NW Natural serves you, 800-882-3377

Who handles HVAC permits for a Hillsboro home?

The City of Hillsboro does, for homes inside the city. Its building permits page says a mechanical permit is needed for residential work such as replacing an air conditioner, installing ducts, or running gas piping.

All building permit applications can be filed online through the City of Hillsboro Permit Portal. If you'd rather talk it through, the city says staff answer questions on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. by email, by phone at 503-681-6153, or in person at the Hillsboro Civic Center, 150 E Main Street, fourth floor. Walk-ins are welcome.

If someone tells you a Hillsboro AC replacement doesn't need a permit, ask them to show you why. The city lists that exact job as needing a mechanical permit.

Why is there a county building office in Hillsboro if the city issues my permit?

Because Hillsboro is the Washington County seat. The county charter places the seat of county government in the city of Hillsboro, so county offices are here too.

That doesn't make the county your permit office. Washington County Building Services says its answers apply to unincorporated Washington County and points city property owners to their own city. If your home is inside Hillsboro city limits, go to the city. If it's on unincorporated land nearby, the county handles it.

Not sure which side of the line you're on? The city's Energy Efficiency Assistance page points residents to the Hillsboro Maps tool to check whether an address is inside city boundaries.

Not sure what's wrong yet?

Start with the safe checks. Many problems are a setting, a breaker, or a filter.

Find your symptom Compare repair vs. replace

Repair first: we fix what can be fixed
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Sources listed for outside facts

Who provides electricity in Hillsboro, and what does that mean for incentives?

PGE. A City of Hillsboro economic development publication states that Portland General Electric is the power provider in Hillsboro. Your bill confirms it for your address.

PGE takes part in Energy Trust of Oregon, so a PGE customer may qualify for Energy Trust heat pump offers when replacing equipment. If NW Natural supplies your gas, gas furnace offers may apply too. Rules depend on your home type and current heating system. You may qualify — we'll confirm.

What is Hillsboro's Energy Efficiency Assistance Program?

It's a City of Hillsboro program that helps income-qualified homeowners and renters with energy upgrades. The city says projects may include installing, repairing, or maintaining ductless heat pumps, smart thermostats, heat pump water heaters, and attic fans.

The home must be your primary residence and inside the Hillsboro city boundary.
Household income must be at or below 80% of the area median income.
Households helped by the program in the prior two years aren't eligible again yet.
Renters can apply with written approval from the property owner.
The city works with Community Action (503-906-6550) and Community Energy Project (503-284-6827). Funding is limited and goes first-come, first-served.

For larger critical repairs, Hillsboro's Housing Rehabilitation Program partners with Unlimited Choices. Questions go to the city's CDBG coordinator at 503-681-5209.

How do I check an HVAC contractor for a Hillsboro job?

Search the contractor's Oregon CCB license before you agree to anything. The CCB says a license number search is the most accurate, and Oregon contractors must print that number on their ads, websites, and business cards.

If a name search turns up nothing, try the business phone number instead. The CCB says phone searches work in some cases if you enter the digits only, with no dashes or parentheses. A missing name result can also come from punctuation, like an ampersand, so don't jump to conclusions. CCB Customer Service at (503) 378-4621 can help.

What should I do first if my Hillsboro home smells like gas or the CO alarm goes off?

Get out first and make calls second. NW Natural's rule is simple: if you smell rotten eggs or sulfur, leave no matter what, even if the smell seems mild.

1Don't flip switches, light anything, start a car, or use a phone or flashlight on the way out.
2Put real distance between your family and the house. Then phone 911, and NW Natural at 800-882-3377 if that company supplies your gas.
3For a carbon monoxide alarm, get every person and pet into fresh air, then call 911.
4If the gas has caught fire, don't try to put it out. Call the fire department.

The U.S. EPA says worn or poorly adjusted furnaces are a source of carbon monoxide, and it recommends a yearly professional inspection of furnaces, flues, and chimneys.

Common questions

Does Hillsboro require a permit to replace an air conditioner?

Yes. The City of Hillsboro lists AC replacement as residential work that needs a mechanical permit. Duct installation and gas piping are on that list too.

Where can I ask the City of Hillsboro a permit question in person?

Go to the Hillsboro Civic Center at 150 E Main Street, fourth floor. The city says staff are there weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and no appointment is needed. You can also call 503-681-6153.

Can renters in Hillsboro use the Energy Efficiency Assistance Program?

Yes, with written approval from the homeowner. The home must be inside the Hillsboro city boundary, and the household must meet the income limit of 80% of area median income.

Does Washington County handle HVAC permits for homes in Hillsboro?

Not for homes inside city limits. Washington County Building Services says its answers cover unincorporated areas, and it sends city residents to their city. Inside Hillsboro, apply with the City of Hillsboro.

Is PGE the electric utility for Hillsboro homes?

The City of Hillsboro names Portland General Electric as the city's power provider. Look at your bill to confirm for your address. PGE customers can ask about Energy Trust of Oregon offers when replacing heating equipment.

Who helps Hillsboro homeowners pay for critical home repairs?

The City of Hillsboro's Housing Rehabilitation Program works with Unlimited Choices. You must live in the home inside the city and meet the income limit. Apply through Unlimited Choices at (503) 234-6167.