Replacing or repairing heating and cooling equipment is one of the biggest home-service expenses. These questions help you evaluate whether a tech is diagnosing carefully — or just pushing the highest-margin sale.
City guides: Los Angeles (CSLB C-20 licensing, LADBS permits and Title 24 / ECC (formerly HERS) testing, heat pumps, LADWP / SCE / SoCalGas rebates, wildfire-smoke filtration); Phoenix (Arizona ROC licensing, sizing for extreme heat, rooftop units and attic ducts, heat pumps vs. evaporative coolers, dust-storm filtration, SRP and other utility programs); Houston (Texas TDLR licensing, sizing for heat and humidity, dehumidification, attic ducts and condensate drains, hurricane and flood prep, CenterPoint programs); Dallas (Texas TDLR licensing, sizing for summer heat and winter freezes, heat pumps and backup heat, attic gas furnaces and condensate drains, hail and storm protection, Oncor / Atmos Energy programs); Atlanta (Georgia CAC licensing, sizing for humidity and freezes, heat pumps and dual-fuel, attic air handlers and condensate drains, Atlanta/AHJ permits, pollen and IAQ, Georgia Power programs); Chicago (no statewide Illinois license and City of Chicago general contractor licensing, sizing for cold winters, furnaces vs. cold-climate heat pumps, boilers and radiators, snow-safe venting and CO, Chicago permit exemptions, ComEd / Peoples Gas / Nicor programs); Denver (no statewide Colorado license and City and County of Denver HVAC licensing, sizing and furnace setup at altitude, furnaces vs. cold-climate heat pumps, evaporative coolers, hail and snow placement, Denver quick permits, Xcel Energy / Power Ahead Colorado / state heat pump credit programs); Seattle (Washington L&I registration and City of Seattle refrigeration licensing, who does the electrical work, sizing for mild winters and heat waves, heat pumps and hybrid systems, oil-heat conversions and oil tank decommissioning, ductless mini-splits, SDCI permits and heat pump noise review, wildfire-smoke filtration, Seattle City Light / Clean Heat / PSE programs); Miami (Florida DBPR certified vs. registered air-conditioning licensing, electrical scope limits, sizing for heat and humidity, SEER2 regional standards, High-Velocity Hurricane Zone tie-downs and Miami-Dade NOAs, flood elevation, condensate overflow and mold, City of Miami / Miami-Dade permits, FPL A/C rebate program, Florida lien law notice); NYC (no single DOB HVAC license — GC registration and DCWP HIC, Oil Burning Equipment Installer and Master Electrician roles, EPA 608, Manual J for cold winters and humid summers, co-op/condo board approval, DOB NOW permits and 1 RCNY 101-14 packaged-unit exemptions, Con Edison / NYS Clean Heat incentives).
Why it matters: Handling refrigerants legally requires EPA Section 608 certification. Company licensing (where required) and tech credentials are baseline filters before you discuss equipment.
Why it matters: Oversized and undersized systems waste energy and fail early. A real load calculation (not a rule of thumb based on square footage alone) shows they design for your house, not a catalog default.
Why it matters: Honest techs can explain remaining life, repair cost vs. unit age, and refrigerant phase-outs. Pressure to replace immediately without options is a warning sign.
Why it matters: Efficiency ratings affect monthly bills and eligibility for utility or state rebates. The federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit (25C) ended for equipment placed in service after Dec. 31, 2025 (IRS), so a system installed in 2026 does not qualify for it; be wary of any quote that still counts a federal tax credit. Ask for estimated operating-cost differences, not just the sticker price of the unit.
Why it matters: Manufacturer warranties often require registered installation by a qualified contractor. Clarify labor warranty length separately from the parts warranty.
Why it matters: Some warranties require annual maintenance. Understand filter changes, coil cleaning, what “tune-up” actually covers, and whether declining a plan voids labor coverage.
Why it matters: Duct redesign, new breakers, or condensate drains can add cost and days. Get those line items upfront so the “cheap” unit quote doesn’t explode mid-job.
Why it matters: Many jurisdictions require permits for system replacement. Skipping inspection can create problems at resale and may void insurance coverage after a related claim.
Why it matters: Commissioning matters. Ask how they measure airflow, refrigerant charge, and what remediation they offer if rooms stay uncomfortable after the job.
Why it matters: Model numbers lock in what you are buying. Disposal fees, thermostat upgrades, and surge protection should not appear as surprises on the final invoice.