Heating and Cooling Repair in Tualatin, OR

Quick answer

In Tualatin, the city's Building Division issues building and mechanical permits, but electrical permits and plan review are contracted to Washington County. HVAC Repair Guys repairs furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, and ductless systems in Tualatin homes. Tell us what your system is doing, and you'll hear the options before anything is done.

Key facts

Counties	Mostly Washington County; the part east of I-5 is in Clackamas County
HVAC permits issued by	City of Tualatin Building Division, through eTrakit
Electrical permits	Contracted to Washington County
Electric utility	PGE, per the City of Tualatin
Gas utility	NW Natural, per the City of Tualatin
Smell gas?	Leave, then call 911 and NW Natural at 800-882-3377

Who issues HVAC permits in Tualatin, and why is Washington County involved?

The City of Tualatin Building Division issues permits for work inside city limits, including mechanical permits. The twist is electrical: the city says all electrical permits and plan review for Tualatin are contracted to Washington County.

That matters for a heat pump or AC replacement, which often involves electrical work as well as mechanical work. Ask your contractor who is pulling each permit.

Homeowners set up a public user account in eTrakit. Contractors use one business account per company.
The city lists over-the-counter permits at 0 to 2 business days and residential permits at 2 to 6 weeks.
Inspections can be scheduled online, as soon as the next business day.
A permit expires after 180 days with no activity, or 180 days after the last inspection.

My Tualatin home is east of I-5. Does that change anything?

It changes your county, not your city. Tualatin says most of the city is in Washington County, but the part east of I-5 is in Clackamas County. The city's Building Division still issues permits for addresses inside Tualatin city limits.

County lines matter more once you're outside the city. For unincorporated land, the county building office for that side handles permits. Clackamas County's Building Codes page has an 'Is my project in county jurisdiction?' check, and Washington County Building Services answers questions for unincorporated Washington County.

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
You approve the price before work starts
Sources listed for outside facts

Which utilities serve Tualatin, and what incentives might apply?

The City of Tualatin says PGE provides electricity to Tualatin addresses and NW Natural provides natural gas. Both are on Energy Trust of Oregon's list of participating utilities.

That can open Energy Trust offers when you replace heating equipment. Read the fine print, though. For its gas furnace offers, Energy Trust requires a carbon monoxide monitor on every floor that has a bedroom. You may qualify — we'll confirm the current rules for your home.

What are my rights after signing an HVAC contract for my Tualatin home?

You may be able to cancel, if you move quickly. The CCB's Guide to Home Improvement Contracts says Oregon homeowners can cancel an initial residential contract by giving written notice before midnight of the next business day. Some exceptions apply.

If you signed at your home or anywhere other than the contractor's place of business, a separate three-day right to cancel may apply.
Any change to the job should be written up as a change order and signed by both of you.
Keep a signed copy of the contract, and read the whole thing before signing.
The CCB says virtually everyone paid to improve real property needs a CCB license, so look up the number before you sign.

What if I smell gas in my Tualatin home?

Get out first. The City of Tualatin names NW Natural as the gas utility for residents, and NW Natural's instruction is to leave no matter what, even if the rotten-egg smell is faint. Don't hunt for the source.

1Head outside without switching lights on or off, lighting a match, or using a phone.
2Stay well away from the house. If you smell gas outdoors too, leave the whole area.
3Report it to 911 first and NW Natural second. The gas company's odor number is 800-882-3377.
4If a carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, get everyone outside to fresh air and call 911.

The U.S. EPA says carbon monoxide can kill you before you're aware it's in your home. A CO alarm on every floor with a bedroom, which Energy Trust requires for its gas furnace offers, gives you that warning.

What details help when I call about a Tualatin repair?

A few facts help the technician come ready and help you get a straight answer. Ask about the diagnostic fee when you call, and you'll get the price before any work starts.

Your address, and whether you know if it's inside Tualatin city limits.
What the system is doing, when it started, and any error codes on the thermostat.
The permit number from eTrakit, if your equipment was installed or replaced under a city permit.
Photos of the label on your furnace, air handler, or outdoor unit.

Common questions

Why does Washington County handle electrical permits for Tualatin?

The City of Tualatin contracts all its electrical permits and plan review to Washington County. Mechanical permits still come from the city's Building Division, and a heat pump job may need both.

Is the part of Tualatin east of I-5 in a different county?

Yes. Tualatin says the portion east of I-5 is in Clackamas County, while most of the city is in Washington County. The city's Building Division still handles permits inside city limits on both sides.

How long does a residential permit take in Tualatin?

The City of Tualatin lists residential permits at 2 to 6 weeks and over-the-counter permits at 0 to 2 business days. Your contractor can tell you which type the job needs.

Can a homeowner apply for a Tualatin permit online?

Yes. Tualatin asks homeowners to set up a public user account in eTrakit. From there you can apply for trade permits, pay fees, and schedule inspections.

Can I cancel an HVAC contract I signed for my Tualatin home?

Often, if you act fast. The CCB says Oregon homeowners can cancel an initial residential contract with written notice before midnight of the next business day, with some exceptions. A three-day right may apply if you signed away from the contractor's business.

Does Energy Trust require a CO monitor for a new gas furnace in Tualatin?

Yes, for its gas furnace offers. Energy Trust requires a carbon monoxide monitor on every floor with a bedroom. NW Natural serves Tualatin, so you may qualify — we'll confirm.