If you just bought a condo or townhouse in Tucson and the HVAC is old, start with your HOA documents before you call anyone for a quote. Shared roofs, shared walls and common-area rules decide what you can install and where it can sit.

Who owns the roof and the equipment space?

In many condos the roof, the exterior walls and the grounds are common elements the association controls, even when the unit serving your home is yours. Read the CC&Rs and ask the HOA what an owner may change. Ask three things: who approves a replacement, where the equipment may sit, and whether the association must sign off on refrigerant lines or wall penetrations. The association can also tell you about screening, noise and color rules.

What are the equipment options?

  • Roof package unit. Everything sits in one cabinet on the roof. On a shared flat roof, a replacement may need a crane and roof access, so roof rules matter.
  • Ground-set split system. Indoor coil in a closet or attic, outdoor unit on a pad. Pad space is often the limit in a townhouse.
  • Mini split. Needs no ductwork and suits a unit with no good duct path, but the HOA may restrict line routing. See mini split installation and are mini splits right for Tucson homes.
  • Heat pump. A heat pump is the sensible default for a Tucson-basin home: the airport logs about 2.6 cooling degree days for every heating degree day (1991-2020 normals), so the heating side is light duty. See heat pump vs AC.

Our look at package units vs split systems explains how the two differ.

What should I ask before replacing?

  1. Does the HOA require written approval, and how long does it take?
  2. Where may the outdoor unit or package unit go?
  3. Is the old equipment on a shared structure or an easement?
  4. What does the matched pro’s load calculation say about the right size? The City of Tucson requires load and sizing calculations for new and replacement HVAC equipment.
  5. Does the project need a permit? The City of Tucson lists permits for furnaces, heat pumps and air conditioners, new or replacement. The matched contractor pulls it.

Placement rules also apply. See AC condenser placement rules in Tucson.

What if I just bought the unit?

Ask the seller for any paperwork on the equipment, find the model and serial number on the nameplate, and have a pro inspect the system. Our inspection checklist before buying a Tucson home lists what to look for. If the system fails, TEP’s Efficient Home Program, as listed by TEP in October 2026, offers up to $600 for an AC quality installation and up to $720 for a heat pump quality installation through a participating contractor. Confirm amounts and conditions with TEP before you sign.

When to call us

Climate Pros Tucson matches you with a licensed local pro who can quote around your HOA’s rules. Start at AC installation or the Tucson HVAC hub. Call (520) 353-2520 and we’ll match you with a licensed local pro.