Find a licensed HVAC contractor
How to find, check and hire a licensed HVAC contractor: state license rules, public-record listings and what to ask before you hire.
HVAC contractors install and repair furnaces, boilers, heat pumps, central air and ductless mini-splits. Many states license HVAC or refrigeration work separately from plumbing, and refrigerant handling needs federal EPA Section 608 certification. A good contractor sizes the system with a load calculation instead of guessing from square footage.
Where do you need an HVAC contractor?
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
What do HVAC contractors do?
- Furnace and boiler repair
- Central AC repair and replacement
- Heat pump and mini-split installs
- Seasonal tune-ups
- Duct cleaning and sealing
- Thermostat and zoning upgrades
- Refrigerant leak repair
- Indoor air quality and ventilation
How do you hire a good HVAC contractor?
- Check the state or local mechanical or HVAC license, and ask whether the technicians hold EPA 608 certification for refrigerant work.
- For a new system, ask for a load calculation (often called Manual J) rather than a size picked from square footage.
- Ask which rebates and tax credits apply to heat pumps and high-efficiency equipment, and whether the contractor files the paperwork.
- Compare quotes on the same equipment model numbers and efficiency ratings (SEER2, HSPF2, AFUE).
- Ask what the labor warranty covers, separately from the manufacturer's parts warranty.
The US Census Bureau counts about 110,542 plumbing, heating and air-conditioning contractors with employees nationwide (County Business Patterns 2023). We list the ones we can confirm in public license records, starting with New York City.
Questions people ask
Do HVAC contractors need a license?
Most states license HVAC, mechanical or refrigeration contractors; a few leave it to cities and counties. Anyone who handles refrigerant needs EPA Section 608 certification no matter where they work.
Repair or replace an old furnace or AC?
A common rule of thumb: if the system is past about 15 years old and the repair is a large share of a new unit's price, get a replacement quote too. Ask for both in writing.
Is a heat pump worth it?
Modern cold-climate heat pumps heat well even in northern winters and also cool in summer. Whether it pays off depends on your fuel prices, the house's insulation and available rebates. Get a load calculation and a quote that lists the model's ratings.
How often should an HVAC system be serviced?
Once a year for each system, heating before winter and cooling before summer, plus filter changes every one to three months.