HVAC systems involve many complex parts and require specialized expertise. Find out what the rules are for licensing and certifications in your area. Some states may require a technician or contractor to have an HVAC license or special certification. For example, find out if they have EPA 608 certification, NATE certification or the HVAC Excellence certification from ESCO Group. 

You should also look for the following when hiring a technician: 

• Fair pricing (get quotes from several pros)

• Warranties for workmanship and parts

• Mostly positive reviews

• Insurance 

• Several years of experience

• Familiarity with your type of HVAC system

For more tips, visit Thumbtack’s Smart Hiring page.

The national average cost to hire someone to maintain an air conditioning or heating system ranges from about $150 to over $800,* according to Thumbtack data. Of course, costs will vary depending on many factors — especially the type of repairs or maintenance that’s required. 

When contacting HVAC technicians, you can ask them to provide estimates for the following services: 

• General maintenance or tuneup

• Adding refrigerant

• Fixing capacitors or circuit boards

• Fixing or replacing condenser fans

• Fixing or replacing the compressor

• Replacing your entire HVAC system

Remember that technicians have to account for labor costs, replacement parts and insurance. In your quote, make sure they explain how much you’re paying for labor and materials and how long the project will take. 

*Data on file at Thumbtack. For a personalized cost estimate, request a quote from a professional.

HVAC technicians are skilled at resolving a variety of issues that can disrupt your system's performance. Common problems include:

• Refrigerant leaks: Low refrigerant levels reduce cooling efficiency, and technicians can locate and repair leaks while recharging the system.

• Thermostat malfunctions: Faulty thermostats can cause temperature inconsistencies. HVAC technicians can recalibrate or replace them.

• Clogged filters: Technicians clean or replace dirty filters that restrict airflow and lead to poor performance and higher energy bills. 

• Electrical failures: Technicians can diagnose and repair issues like blown fuses or tripped breakers to restore power.

• Ductwork problems: Technicians can seal or clean leaky or blocked ducts to improve airflow and efficiency.

Most HVAC technicians diagnose and repair heating and cooling systems by first inspecting and testing each component that may be the issue.

Here’s what you can expect during your service call:

• Inspection: The technician will likely ask you to describe the issue (e.g., heat not turning on) and investigate the parts of your system that might be responsible.

• Diagnostics: Once the technician identifies potential causes, they’ll use diagnostic tools to test the faulty component and verify that it’s the problem. 

• Cost estimate: Then, the pro will quote you a price for the repair. At this point, you should ask if they can waive the service call fee if you decide to hire them for the repair. 

• Repair: The repair process depends on what the problem is. It could involve sealing a leak, replacing electrical parts or recharging the refrigerant.

The time required to complete a task and finish any HVAC job varies, depending on the type of work involved. Consider these estimated timelines for simple and complex repairs and a new system installation:

• Simple tasks: Replacing a filter or a thermostat — or finding and fixing a leak — can often be completed within 1 to 3 hours.            

• More complex issues: Repairing major components or diagnosing and repairing system problems may take from 4 hours to a few days if parts must be ordered. 

• New system installation: Typically, this requires 4 to 8 hours minimum, depending on the complexity of the setup and whether additional ductwork is needed.

For an accurate estimate, discuss the specifics of the job with your technician beforehand.

Remember: The timeline for your project will vary depending on many factors. Always ask your pro to provide an estimate.

Installing or repairing HVAC equipment yourself may sound like a shortcut around delays, but it could be the opposite. It’s easy to make mistakes, and fixing those mistakes can delay your project even more. 

Before you DIY this project, consider the benefits of hiring a licensed HVAC professional:

• Being licensed means they’ve completed the training and have acquired the skills to work on your HVAC system efficiently and properly. 

• Local technicians and contractors understand local code requirements and the permit process, which can be a big learning curve for the novice DIY-er. 

• HVAC pros can also assist with product registration to prevent voiding the warranty. Some manufacturers might even require this.

• Installation or replacement might come with a discount or a period of free routine maintenance.

A DIY installation of indoor and outdoor components, ductwork, refrigeration lines and electrical connections places a huge burden on your time. Plus, any mistakes could cause significant system issues. Hire an HVAC technician or contractor to repair or install your new system safely, efficiently and, most importantly, correctly.