The Best HVAC Companies

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Homeowners need to have their HVAC systems ready to go year-round, as temperatures rise in the spring and summer and drop in the fall and winter. HVAC—heating, ventilation, and air conditioning—is the system that controls airflow within a home. These systems provide occupants with comfort and improve the quality of the air that is circulated.
Homeowners should regularly have their HVAC systems inspected to ensure they’re functioning properly. A malfunctioning system can cause the heating or cooling systems to malfunction, air quality to drop, and energy bills to climb. If a homeowner is searching for “best HVAC near me,” choosing one of the best HVAC companies can give homeowners peace of mind that their system is running efficiently.

BEST OVERALL: One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning
RUNNER-UP: Aire Serv
ECO-FRIENDLY PICK: Dr. Energy Saver
ALSO CONSIDER: The Home Depot

What to Consider When Choosing One of the Best HVAC Companies

When searching online for the “best HVAC company near me,” it can be difficult to tell companies apart and know which is the best one for a particular home. Here are the factors to consider when evaluating an HVAC company and its offerings.

Service Area and Scheduling

A homeowner searching for the “best heating and cooling companies near me” should consider where the provider is located and how easily the provider will be able to reach the home. Being within a company’s service area means the company will be able to show up and assess an issue as soon as possible. If replacement parts are required, the company can order and install them quickly.

HVAC contractors should also have flexible scheduling. Their appointment options should be plentiful with reasonable flexibility. The best companies will show up within the time frame they say and will not keep homeowners waiting.

Emergency Service

Unless a homeowner is installing a new HVAC system or getting routine maintenance, chances are they’ll need the services of an HVAC company at a moment’s notice. A person won’t tolerate their heat or air conditioning not working for too long, especially in extreme weather. Not all HVAC companies will offer emergency services, so homeowners in need of urgent repairs should seek a provider that can fix the issue as soon as possible.

Brands Serviced and Installed

There are many different types of HVAC systems from different decades built into homes. An experienced HVAC company should be able to install and work with a system from any brand from any time period. Even if a system is old and out of date, a good HVAC service provider will be able to diagnose its issue and determine whether it can be fixed or a new system needs to be installed.

If a new HVAC system needs to be installed, the best companies will be able to implement it within the home’s layout regardless of the space or brand.

Licensing and Insurance

HVAC contractors and providers need to have the proper licensing and certifications in place before legally working on a home. Each state has different insurance and licensing requirements for HVAC professionals, so homeowners should ensure the HVAC contractor is licensed in their state and knows how to work with different HVAC systems properly. Any additional certifications and training are a benefit to the customer.

The top HVAC companies are also insured; this means should any damages or injuries occur within the home as a result of an inspection or installation, the company will take full responsibility. If an incident occurs in the house and the HVAC professional is not insured, the homeowner could be liable.

Guarantee

The best HVAC companies will offer a guarantee on their installation and repair services. Under the guarantee, if an HVAC system is not fully functional after it’s serviced, the company will either repair or replace it at no additional cost. HVAC contractors that do not offer a guarantee may be conservative with their budget and resources, or they may not be confident in their ability to get a job done the first time around. A company that offers a guarantee reassures customers that no matter what, their HVAC system will be taken care of.

Customer Support

Maintaining an HVAC system can be complicated, and HVAC issues can be incredibly stressful for homeowners. The right HVAC contractor will be familiar with the type of system a homeowner has in their home and will establish a level of trust to help the homeowner feel comfortable with the contractor’s expertise and skill. Technicians should be able to clearly explain to the homeowner what they’re working on and answer any questions they have. Company representatives should always be available to customers on the phone, ready to schedule appointments or answer any questions that they have.

Our Top Picks

We researched a variety of HVAC companies to find the best options for homeowners searching online for “best HVAC service near me.” After vetting companies for features like service area, emergency services, and guarantees, in addition to other crucial considerations, we narrowed our options to four businesses that provide the highest quality services. Here are our top picks for the best HVAC companies.

Best Overall

One Hour Heating u0026 Air Conditioning

See It

Service area: 35 states and Washington, D.C.
Scheduling: Online, phone
Emergency service: Yes
Guarantee: 2-year warranty
Customer support: Phone, email

Pros

Free service if technician isn’t on time
Background checks and drug tests performed for all technicians
Discounted services offered through the Home Comfort Club annual maintenance program
Relatively long warranty length of 2 years

Cons

Website is somewhat user-unfriendly

Why It Made the Cut: One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, an industry leader with the rhyming slogan of “Always on time, or you don’t pay a dime!” offers emergency HVAC services, air conditioning, heating, ductwork, and more to customers in 35 states and Washington, D.C. With a name like One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, the company backs its punctuality with a guarantee that the service will be free if the technician isn’t on time. he company has franchises across the nation, and technicians take continuing education courses and regularly attend seminars. Additionally, technicians undergo an extensive background check during the hiring process and a drug test. For homeowners who’d like to prioritize their home’s HVAC health, the company offers discounts on repairs and products in addition to exclusive member perks and priority service through the Home Comfort Club program. If homeowners choose to pursue HVAC services with One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, be advised that the website is somewhat difficult to navigate. However, according to the website, customers have given One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning a 100 percent satisfaction rating for the last 2 years. The company also offers a lengthy 2-year warranty on its work, so customers can be assured that One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning is confident in its technicians’ expertise.

Runner-Up

Aire Serv

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Service area: 39 states and Washington, D.C.
Scheduling: Online, phone
Emergency service: Yes
Guarantee: 60-day warranty
Customer support: Phone

Pros

Free heat gain and loss evaluations
Technicians send “on my way” text updates
Discounted services offered through the Advantage Plan annual maintenance program

Cons

Relatively short warranty length of 60 days

Why It Made the Cut: From ductless split AC system installation to furnace maintenance and much more, Aire Serv can satisfy a plethora of homeowner HVAC needs in 39 states across the U.S. and Washington, D.C. Aire Serv offers comprehensive HVAC installation, maintenance, repair, and replacement services across the United States. Skilled technicians have extensive experience working with a variety of brands and send “on my way” updates to ensure homeowners get up-to-the-minute communication. While Aire Serv only has a 60-day warranty, the company offers emergency HVAC services and the Advantage Plan, which is an annual maintenance program that has discounted services. A unique and vital service Aire Serv offers is its complimentary full heat gain and heat loss evaluation. This evaluation helps homeowners identify weak spots in their current systems and understand how to best address those issues. The free assessment analyzes whether the existing system is installed and sized correctly—and if homeowners may be overpaying on utility bills because of an inefficient system.

Eco-Friendly Pick

Dr. Energy Saver

See It

Service area: 25 states
Scheduling: Varies by location
Emergency service: Varies by location
Guarantee: Varies by service
Customer support: Varies by location

Pros

Wide selection of eco-friendly heating solutions including radiant, geothermal, and solar
Whole-home insulation services
Comprehensive home energy audits

Cons

Emergency services, scheduling, and customer support options vary by location

Why It Made the Cut: Dr. Energy Saver is the largest network of home energy contractors in the United States that helps homeowners stay comfortable in their homes and save money on heating and cooling costs. Dr. Energy Saver uses eco-friendly heating solutions like geothermal heating, radiant heating, solar heating, and more. Technicians can evaluate a home to recommend the best, most energy-efficient heating and cooling solution. This evaluation comes in the form of a home energy audit, during which homeowners can expect to discuss problem areas in the home and receive a complete test of home insulation, ductwork, and the HVAC system. Technicians will then provide recommendations and free estimates for the suggested improvements. Dr. Energy Saver also offers whole-home insulation services to further bolster a home’s energy-saving potential. When considering Dr. Energy Saver as an eco-friendly HVAC provider, homeowners should contact their local franchise to ensure the requested services are offered, as there remains a lack of continuity between hours, emergency service, and customer support between locations. Despite this, however, all Dr. Energy Saver locations offer appealing services for any eco-friendly homeowner.

Also Consider

The Home Depot

See It

Service area: 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Scheduling: Online
Emergency service: Varies by location
Guarantee: 1-year warranty on installations; 90-day warranty on labor
Customer support: Phone

Pros

Free in-home consultations
Attic insulation services

Cons

Emergency services vary by location

Why It Made the Cut: Often only considered for its expansive home improvement retail locations, The Home Depot also provides HVAC installation, maintenance, replacement, and repair services. The Home Depot is a solid choice for customers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Homeowners can request an appointment from their local Home Depot branch to be connected with an authorized service provider backed by the home improvement retailer. Homeowners may want to reach out to their local branches before booking, as emergency HVAC service and virtual consultation availability do vary by location. After a customer requests a free in-home HVAC consultation, the service provider will audit the current system and make recommendations based on the findings. Authorized providers take special care in assessing a homeowner’s needs, budget, and schedule to suit their lifestyle and comfort. During the consultation, they’ll make a detailed load calculation to ensure the size and efficiency of a new recommended unit won’t result in inefficient heating or cooling. The authorized service providers can handle installation and follow local codes and permitting. In addition to free in-home consultations with local providers, The Home Depot also offers attic insulation services.

Our Verdict

When it comes to the best HVAC companies, One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning and Aire Serv come in at number one and number two, respectively, on our list. Both companies are highly recommended based on their wide service area, emergency service offerings, and ability to schedule services online or over the phone.

How We Chose the Best HVAC Companies

To narrow down our best HVAC companies list, we considered each brand’s reputation and age, eco-friendliness, and the level of customer service offered. To provide the best HVAC recommendations, we conducted extensive research to determine which companies stand out among the competition and offer optimal service.

All the companies on our list have a long and healthy history, with decades of experience and industry knowledge. Aire Serv holds the title for the longest established company, having opened its doors in 1979—tied with The Home Depot, which started that same year. Taking into account each company’s history, we looked deeper into the specific offerings that make each company unique and used that information to determine the best HVAC companies.

Before You Hire One of the Best HVAC Companies

There are some important points to keep in mind when searching online for “best hvac contractors near me” or “best hvac installers near me.” Before hiring a recommended company, it’s important for customers to ensure the services offered, as well as the company’s availability and project time frame, meet their needs. While this article features trusted, reliable HVAC companies, some companies’ offerings may not be suitable for homeowners depending on property size and project scale.

To find the right HVAC company, homeowners can ask friends and family members for local suggestions and feedback. Customers should verify that any HVAC professional has the right credentials, insurance, and licensing for the job. Otherwise, an HVAC installation from an unqualified (and illegally operating) contractor can wind up costing a lot of money in future repairs down the line.

Cost of Hiring One of the Best HVAC Companies

As with most projects, the cost of hiring an HVAC company depends on many factors, including the scale of the project, target time frame, location, and more. Costs for those looking to install a heat pump will be different than for those looking to replace a central AC unit. The type of system installed will vary depending on factors such as the customer’s local weather and HVAC needs, the size of the property, and how extensive the project is. However, replacing older equipment in a home with newer, more energy-efficient models can ultimately save a homeowner money.

Typically, homeowners looking to replace their HVAC systems should expect a cost between $5,000 to $10,000. Labor is typically included in this price, which ranges from $500 to $2,500 depending on project scale and complexity. On average, furnaces range from $2,600 to $6,300, and the best air conditioner brands run between $1,500 to $8,000.

The Advantages of Using One of the Best HVAC Companies

Hiring one of the best HVAC companies ensures a homeowner’s system is installed and maintained by a professional who has the right equipment and know-how and stands behind their work. Experienced HVAC professionals can quickly determine problems and, should one arise, a guarantee or warranty protects the customer’s investment. When seeking out one of the “best HVAC companies near me,” homeowners can trust they’re finding someone who stands behind their work, making it the most cost-effective option.

Working with a knowledgeable professional means customers can trust the work will be of top quality, completed quickly, and backed by a guarantee.
The best HVAC companies provide top-quality services at an affordable price, which protects the customer’s investment and keeps the HVAC system running efficiently for years to come.
Without HVAC knowledge, homeowners doing DIY repairs can wind up wasting time and money. A trusted professional can skip the guesswork and will be able to determine what’s wrong.

FAQs

It’s critical to have a reliable HVAC system all year long. Homeowners starting their search for the “best air conditioning company near me” or the “best heating company near me” won’t want to miss the answers to these frequently asked questions about HVAC systems.

Q. Which HVAC system is the most reliable?

The best HVAC brands include Trane, Rheem, and Lennox.

Q. How long does an HVAC system last?

In general, an HVAC system is expected to last from 15 to 25 years. The specific time an HVAC system will last is dependent on a few factors including the type and brand of the system as well as whether the HVAC system is subject to regular maintenance.

Q. How much do HVAC companies charge per hour?

The typical hourly rate for HVAC professionals ranges from $75 to $150. In general, a homeowner will spend from $144 to over $450 for an HVAC service.