Sandy Springs incorporated in 2005 and runs its own Community Development department for permits, separate from unincorporated Fulton County. Whether you need a permit depends on what the work involves (ductwork changes, electrical changes, refrigerant line work). We pull the permits and schedule inspections through Sandy Springs Community Development on every job that needs them.

Not always, but often. Original 1970s ductwork in Sandy Springs was sized for the original system's airflow. Modern variable-speed and high SEER2 systems often need different duct sizing to run efficiently. The bigger issue is leakage. Most original 1970s ductwork leaks 20 to 30% in attics and crawl spaces, which means you're paying to cool air that never makes it to the rooms. We test how much your ducts leak as part of every replacement quote and tell you straight whether sealing alone will do the job or whether some sections need to come out.

For air-source heat pumps installed in 2026 or later, no. The federal Section 25C credit expired December 31, 2025 under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The real savings now come from Georgia's state programs. GEFA's Home Energy Rebates offer up to $16,000 depending on income and energy savings, and Georgia Power's HEIP program offers up to $1,250 in home comfort bundle rebates plus a $1,000 instant rebate on heat pump water heaters. Geothermal heat pumps still qualify for the 30% federal credit under Section 25D through 2032.

Atlanta's summers run above 70% humidity most days. ACs in this climate work harder because they're pulling moisture out of the air on top of cooling it. The result: AC systems in Sandy Springs typically last 10 to 15 years versus 15 to 20 in drier climates like Colorado. It also makes variable-speed compressors and properly-sized systems more important here, because oversized single-stage systems short-cycle and never really dehumidify.

It depends on three things. First, what refrigerant does it use? If it's R-22 (phased out as of 2020), recharge costs are now sky-high and any major leak repair is throwing money at a dead system. Second, what's your repair history been? Multiple repairs in the last two years usually mean the system is telling you it's done. Third, what's your monthly utility bill compared to similar homes? A 12-year-old single-stage system in this climate is often running 30 to 40% less efficient than a modern variable-speed system, which means replacement can pay back in energy savings within 7 to 10 years. We'll tell you straight whether replacement makes sense or whether you've got more usable years.

Not in terms of how we get there or how we work. Both cities are in our service area and we run trucks through both every day. The only real difference is which permit office we pull from. A Sandy Springs address goes through Sandy Springs Community Development, a Dunwoody address goes through Dunwoody Community Development, even when the houses are a block apart.