Heating and cooling help starts with good information. Our guides explain how your system works, what maintenance it needs, and how to compare quotes — and our directory points you to the help available where you live.
Type your state in the search box below — for example, Pennsylvania.
Browse by state to see the cities and services our directory covers.
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We are an independent editorial guide site. We do not sell, install, or repair equipment, and we do not book jobs. Our contractor directory is being rebuilt city by city.

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Enter your ZIP code to find guides for the nearest area our directory covers.
Pick a state to see the cities our directory covers. City pages are returning in phases — the state pages list every city we covered, and guides go live daily.
Start with the job you need done.

New system installation: sizing, placement, permits, and what a written quote should include.

Routine care that keeps a system efficient: filters, coils, drains, and a pre-season check.
Electrical panel work that supports a new or larger cooling system — a job for a licensed electrician.

Diagnosing and fixing a system that stopped cooling, leaks, or makes new noises.

Whole-home cooling through ductwork: how it works, what it costs to run, and when to replace it.

Design, sealing, and repair of the ducts that carry conditioned air around a home.

Gas and other furnaces: how they heat, common problems, and how to hire an installer.

Heat pumps that heat and cool with one system, including geothermal and hybrid types.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning as a whole — the full system, not one part of it.

Warmth from the floor up, usually with hot water running through tubing under the floor.

The control that tells your system when to run — placement and settings matter more than most people think.
Moving fresh air in and stale air out, and keeping indoor air healthy.
Adds moisture to dry indoor air across the whole home, usually fitted to the heating system.
Dampers and controls that heat or cool different parts of a home to different temperatures.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons — Nenad Stojković (CC BY 2.0), PeterEastern (CC BY-SA 4.0), Stilfehler (public domain), Santeri Viinamäki (CC BY-SA 4.0), Flowingking (CC BY-SA 4.0), Camzmac (CC BY 3.0), Saud (CC BY-SA 4.0), Stuuf (CC BY-SA 3.0). Full captions on the linked guides.
Start with the guides written for your situation.
Understand your system, keep up with maintenance, compare quotes, and choose a contractor with confidence.
Plan maintenance for a whole building, work with contractors, and keep the records and warranties straight.
What to confirm before, during, and after an installation — printable, so you can check things off on site.
Monthly, spring, fall, and once-a-year checks to keep heating and cooling equipment running well.
Looking for help in a big city? Start with its state directory.
Air conditioning moves heat out of your home instead of making cold: a fluid called refrigerant absorbs heat indoors, carries it outside, and releases it there, over and over. A typical home system has an outdoor unit, an indoor coil, and ductwork or ductless heads that deliver the cooled air room by room. The guides on this site explain how each part works, what maintenance it needs, and when a problem is a job for a licensed professional.
Brand names are listed for reference only. We are not affiliated with any manufacturer, and we do not sell equipment or parts.
Browse heating and cooling contractors by state, city, and service.
Heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration help, listed by state.
Diagnosing and fixing a system that stopped cooling, leaks, or makes new noises.
New system installation: sizing, placement, permits, and what a written quote should include.

Guides to complete home air conditioning systems, from central air to room-by-room options.

Contractors who fit new cooling systems -- sizing, placement, and what a written quote should include.

Gas and other furnaces: how they heat, common problems, and how to hire an installer.
Furnace problems and common fixes -- and how to hire someone to repair one.
Design, sealing, and repair of the ducts that carry conditioned air around a home.
Electrical work that supports a new or larger cooling system -- a job for a licensed electrician.
Hot-water and hydronic heating often need a plumber as well as a heating contractor.
Roof and attic work that affects ventilation, insulation, and rooftop equipment.
Whole-home cooling through ductwork: how it works, what it costs to run, and when to replace it.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning as a whole -- the full system, not one part of it.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons — Infrogmation of New Orleans (CC BY-SA 3.0), Douglas Paul Perkins (CC BY-SA 3.0), Southend-on-Sea Borough Council (CC0 1.0). Full captions on the linked guides.
Start with the guides, then browse the directory for your state. Every page is written to help you understand your options before you talk to anyone.