HVAC repair and installation
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What HVAC pros do
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HVAC by city
What is HVAC?
HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning — in the US Energy Information Administration’s words, “the system or systems that condition air in a building” (EIA). In most homes that means a furnace or heat pump, a central air conditioner (or the heat pump doing both jobs), the ductwork between them and the rooms, and the thermostat that runs it. Ductless mini-splits, boilers and whole-house fans are HVAC too.
HVAC companies service, repair and replace that equipment. Many also do ductwork, indoor air quality add-ons and annual maintenance visits.
Repair: before you call, and what is common
A few checks save a call-out: the thermostat is set to heat or cool and has power, the breaker for the system has not tripped, and the air filter is not clogged — a blocked filter causes more “not cooling” calls than it should.
Beyond that, common faults include a failed capacitor or fan motor, a refrigerant leak, a frozen evaporator coil (often from poor airflow), a blocked condensate drain and, on furnaces, ignition and flame-sensor problems. Anything involving refrigerant has to be done by a certified technician: under EPA’s Section 608 rules, only certified technicians may buy refrigerant for these systems (EPA).
Replacement and installation: size it properly
The biggest decision in a replacement is size, and the rule of thumb most often used is the wrong way to decide it. DOE’s consumer guide says the common estimate of one ton of cooling per 400–500 square feet “fails to take into account local climate and the efficiency of a house”, and that your contractor should use ACCA Manual J to calculate the right size (DOE). Oversized systems, it says, “can cost too much, provide inadequate comfort, and lead to mold and poor indoor air quality.”
Ask for the load calculation in writing. Also ask whether the ductwork has been checked — new equipment on leaky or undersized ducts will not perform as rated — and whether a heat pump is worth quoting alongside a like-for-like replacement.
Efficiency minimums for new central air conditioners are set federally and differ by region — since 2023, split air conditioners installed in the Southeast and Southwest must meet a higher rating than in the North (10 CFR 430.32). Ask the contractor which rating applies where you live, and check any rebates or tax credits on ENERGY STAR before you buy rather than relying on a sales figure.
Signs you need a pro — and what is urgent
- No heat in freezing weather, or no cooling in dangerous heat — especially with elderly people, infants or anyone unwell in the house.
- A carbon monoxide alarm sounding: get everyone outside into fresh air and call 911 or the fire department, then have the system checked before it is used again.
- A smell of gas near a furnace or water heater: leave and call the gas company from outside.
- Ice on the refrigerant lines or outdoor unit, water pooling around the indoor unit, short cycling, or a system running constantly without reaching temperature.
CPSC advises having the heating system professionally inspected and serviced every year, and carbon monoxide alarms on every level of the home and outside sleeping areas (CPSC). DOE suggests having air conditioners checked in spring and furnaces in fall.
How to choose an HVAC contractor
- Check the licence with your state board. HVAC licensing is set by each state, and some leave it to cities.
- Ask whether technicians are EPA 608 certified (required for refrigerant work) and whether they hold NATE certification — a voluntary industry credential.
- For a replacement, ask for a Manual J load calculation, and get more than one quote for comparable equipment.
- Ask who pulls the permit. Equipment replacements usually need one.
- Get both warranties in writing: the manufacturer’s on parts, and the contractor’s on labour. Ask what you must do (registration, annual service) to keep them.
What affects the cost
- Repair: the part, the diagnostic or service-call fee, and the time of day — emergency and weekend calls cost more.
- Replacement: system type (AC, heat pump, furnace or all three), capacity, efficiency rating, and brand.
- Ductwork: sealing, resizing or replacing ducts adds to a replacement.
- Permits, removal of the old unit and refrigerant recovery.
- Rebates and credits that may lower the net cost.
Common questions
- What does HVAC stand for?
- Heating, ventilation and air conditioning — the equipment that heats, cools and moves air through a building.
- How much is an HVAC service call?
- Prices vary by area and company, and many credit the diagnostic fee against the repair. Ask when you book; the cost guide covers what moves the price.
- Should I repair or replace my AC?
- Weigh the repair against the age and condition of the system, how often it has failed, and whether it still suits the house. Ask the technician for both prices in writing.
- What size AC do I need?
- The size a Manual J load calculation gives for your house — not a square-footage rule of thumb, which DOE says ignores your climate and how efficient the house is.
- What is a Manual J calculation?
- The industry method (from ACCA) for calculating a home’s heating and cooling load from its size, insulation, windows, orientation and climate. DOE says your contractor should use it.
- Should I replace my furnace and AC together?
- Often worth considering when both are old, because matched equipment and one installation can make sense. If one is nearly new, there is no rule that says replace both.
- Do HVAC companies charge more for emergency service?
- Usually — nights, weekends and holidays tend to cost more. Ask before they come out.
Related services
Guides
Sources
Safety and standards advice on this page comes from these publishers. Dates are the ones each page shows.
- US Energy Information Administration, Glossary: HVAC (no date shown; read October 2026)
- US Department of Energy, Energy Saver, Consumer Guide to Home Heating and Cooling (August 2021)
- US EPA, Section 608 Refrigerant Sales Restriction (last updated March 23, 2026)
- US Consumer Product Safety Commission, Carbon Monoxide Questions and Answers (no date shown; read October 2026)
- eCFR (US federal regulations), 10 CFR 430.32, Energy conservation standards (current as of September 1, 2026)
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