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Find a licensed HVAC pro in your state

Pick your state to see how contractor licensing works there, what local conditions do to equipment, and how to reach a licensed pro. Before you hire anyone, confirm the license with the state, ask for proof of insurance, and get the price and scope in writing. For a replacement, ask for a load calculation that shows how the new system was sized.

Updated November 2026 · General guidance, not an on-site diagnosis

Safety first. If you smell gas or a carbon monoxide alarm is sounding, leave the house and call your gas utility or 911 before you look for a contractor.

Choose your state

This directory covers five states. Each state page explains the contractor license to look for, where to verify it, and what the climate means for repairs and replacement.

This site is an independent advisor. It does not do repairs. It connects you with licensed local contractors, and the checks below apply to any contractor, including one you find here.

How to vet an HVAC contractor

  1. Verify the license yourself. Licensing rules differ by state. Ask for the license number and look it up on the state licensing board's website. Check that it is active and that the name matches the company on the quote.
  2. Ask for proof of insurance. You want a current certificate showing liability coverage, and workers' compensation coverage where the state requires it.
  3. Confirm refrigerant certification. Anyone who works on the refrigerant side of an AC or heat pump must hold EPA Section 608 certification.
  4. Get it in writing. A written quote should name the work, the parts or equipment model numbers, the price, the warranty on parts and labor, and who handles permits.
  5. Ask how a new system was sized. For a replacement, the contractor should run a load calculation, known as Manual J, on your house. Matching the size of the old unit is not a calculation.
  6. Compare at least two quotes. Compare the same scope of work, line by line.

Warning signs

  • A replacement recommendation with no written diagnosis of what failed.
  • A price that is good only if you sign today.
  • A request for full payment before work starts.
  • No license number on the quote, the truck or the website.
  • A refrigerant top-up offered with no mention of finding the leak.
  • A system size quoted over the phone with no visit to the house.

You are entitled to a second opinion on any large repair or replacement, even in an emergency.

Before the contractor arrives

Write down the brand, model and serial number from the equipment data plate, the age of the system if you know it, and exactly what it is doing. Note any error code on the thermostat or furnace. Check the thermostat settings, the breaker and the filter, since those are the fixes you can safely make yourself. Clear a path to the indoor and outdoor units.

Good notes shorten the visit and make it harder for anyone to sell you work you do not need.

Common questions

How do I find good HVAC contractors near me?

Start with licensed companies that serve your address, then narrow the list with the checks on this page: an active state license, proof of insurance, a written quote and a clear diagnosis. Two or three quotes for the same scope of work tell you more than any advertisement.

How do I check whether an HVAC company is licensed?

Ask the company for its license number and look it up on your state licensing board's website. Confirm that the license is active, that it covers heating and cooling work, and that the business name matches your quote. Each state page in this directory points to the right board.

Should heating and cooling companies charge for a quote?

Practices differ. Many companies charge a diagnostic fee to find out what is wrong with a broken system, and many give replacement estimates at no charge. Ask about fees when you book, and ask whether the diagnostic fee is credited toward the repair if you go ahead.

Do I need a permit to replace an AC or furnace?

Permit rules are set by your state and local building department, and many places require one for equipment replacement. Ask the contractor whether the job needs a permit and who will pull it, and get the answer in writing on the quote.

Sources

Choose your state

ArizonaHVAC Arizona guide: what desert heat means for your AC and heating, how to check a contractor's ROC license.NevadaHVAC Nevada guide: what desert summers and cold high-desert winters mean for your AC and furnace, how to check a license.FloridaHVAC Florida guide: what heat and humidity mean for your AC, how to verify a contractor with DBPR.CaliforniaHVAC California guide: how coast, valley and desert climates change what you need, how to check a CSLB license.New JerseyHVAC New Jersey guide: what cold winters and humid summers mean for your furnace and AC, how to verify a license.

Related guides

OverviewAC repairAC repair explained for homeowners: match your symptom to a likely cause, see what drives the repair bill, and know when to call a licensed pro.OverviewFurnace repairFurnace repair explained for homeowners: what each symptom usually means, what you can safely check, what drives the cost, and when to call a licensed pro.StateArizonaHVAC Arizona guide: what desert heat means for your AC and heating, how to check a contractor's ROC license.StateNevadaHVAC Nevada guide: what desert summers and cold high-desert winters mean for your AC and furnace, how to check a license.StateFloridaHVAC Florida guide: what heat and humidity mean for your AC, how to verify a contractor with DBPR.StateCaliforniaHVAC California guide: how coast, valley and desert climates change what you need, how to check a CSLB license.StateNew JerseyHVAC New Jersey guide: what cold winters and humid summers mean for your furnace and AC, how to verify a license.

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We are an independent guide for homeowners, not a contractor. When you ask, we work to connect you with one licensed company that serves your ZIP code.

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