Get Quotes from Top HVAC Contractors in Denver, CO

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Denver

Properly installed and well maintained heating or cooling systems will save you 15 to 40 percent on your energy bill. With Denver residents paying 11.05 cents per kilowatt hour, this can translate to huge savings. In the quest to find a professional HVAC contractor near you to handle an installation or maintenance, it is recommended you verify the competence of the technician to complete your work satisfactorily. You can do this by asking the following questions:

Are You Licensed to Practice as an HVAC Contractor in Denver?

According to Section 608 of the Clean Air Act, individuals who work with refrigerants in Denver must obtain an Environment Protection Agency certificate by passing a certification exam conducted by the agency.

HVAC contractor licenses in Denver fall under the mechanical certificate category and they are issued by the city's Department of Community Planning and Development. HVAC contractor licenses are generally grouped into journeyman, operator, and supervisor classes. To be eligible to apply for an HVAC contractor license, you must be 18 years of age with at least 4 years of experience. The minimum experience required differs across license classes and an applicant is required to submit a notarized letter of experience showing that the minimum experience required for the license class applied for has been met. Applicants are also required to submit an affidavit of lawful presence together with verifiable identification as proof of their lawful presence in Denver. HVAC contractor license applications can be submitted online. They can also be made in person or via mail-in to:

Contractor Licensing Desk
Community Planning and Development Department
2nd floor of Webb Municipal Building
201 W.Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80202

Permit applications take 14 - 20 days to be reviewed and upon approval, the applicant is to pay the license fee of $250 within 90 days of the approval of the certificate application. HVAC contractor licenses are renewable after three years from the date of issue.

HVAC contractor licenses in Denver can be verified online via the Community Development Planning Department licensing portal. For more information on the HVAC contractor licensing process and other inquiries, contact the Community Development Planning Department via email, via phone number (720)- 865-2770, or send a mail to

Contractor Licensing Desk
Community Planning and Development Department
2nd floor of Webb Municipal Building
201 W.Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80202

Note that walk-in inquiries are strictly by appointment, which can be scheduled on Mondays and Fridays.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other HVAC Contractors in Denver?

The cost of materials, location, and the expertise of the HVAC contractor are some of the factors that influence the pricing and cost of HVAC projects in Denver. It is therefore advisable to get cost estimates from different HVAC contractors before settling for one that will execute your HVAC project. This will not only aid you in contracting the best HVAC contractor around, but it will also prevent you from paying above the market prices for your project.

An HVAC Contractor in Denver earns an annual average wage of $56,900. The table below provides a cost comparison of the mean hourly wages for HVAC contractors in Denver against those of HVAC contractors in the rest of Colorado as well as other major cities in the United States:

Denver HVAC Contractors Mean Hourly Wage
$27.35
Colorado HVAC Contractors Mean Hourly Wage
$29.33
Los Angeles HVAC Contractors Mean Hourly Wage
$31.31
Chicago HVAC Contractors Mean Hourly Wage
$29.31
Houston HVAC Contractors Mean Hourly Wage
$26.40
Detroit HVAC Contractors Mean Hourly Wage
$24.55
Philadelphia HVAC Contractors Mean Hourly Wage
$28.80
Source: U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Do You Comply with Denver Building Code for HVAC Work?

The Denver Mechanical Code is a set of rules that regulates the installation, design, repair, inspection, operation, replacement, and maintenance of mechanical systems in the city. These include, but are not limited to, refrigeration systems, air conditioning, heating, and hot water systems, pressure vessels, boilers, heaters, steamfitting, and exhaust systems that aid the control and alteration of environmental conditions in places located within Denver. In the quest to hire an HVAC contractor, it is essential to find a contractor that is conversant with and knowledgeable about Denver's mechanical codes. The mechanical code is enacted to promote and safeguard the health, welfare, and safety of the residents of Denver by protecting them from poorly executed heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems installation, maintenance, and repair jobs. It also ensures that your building is in compliance with the provisions of the code. Some of these requirements include hiring licensed HVAC contractors, applying and obtaining project permits, and scheduling regular inspections on the project site. For more information or inquiries on the Denver Mechanical Code, contact the Denver Community Planning and Development Department at (303)-894-7800.

Will You Get the HVAC Permits as Required by Denver Code?

By the provision of the Denver Mechanical Code, mechanical work permits are required for any HVAC work that is done in Denver whether such job is executed by a homeowner or a licensed contractor. Mechanical work permits are issued by the Denver Development Services Department to either licensed HVAC contractors or homeowners. Homeowners who intend to execute their home HVAC projects are required to take and pass a homeowner's exam to show their knowledge, proficiency, and aptitude in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems before they are eligible to apply for and obtain permits. Permits can be applied for either by the homeowner or a licensed contractor. The permit application process is typically started by creating an account online on the Denver e-permit portal and then filing an online mechanical permit application form. Upon completion of the form, the permit application should be submitted alongside proposed project plans and designs. Every application for a permit has to undergo an intake review to ensure that it is properly filled out and all required documentation is complete. The intake review typically takes 2 days, after which the plans will be reviewed for compliance with the mechanical code. The plan review takes an average of 30 days and applicants can find out the status of their applications online. Upon approval, the homeowner can now schedule an inspection and submit inspection documents. Inspections are completed within two days of approval and they can only be scheduled for projects that have had their permits approved.

You can contact the Denver Community Planning and Development Department for help with e-permits and general permit questions via email, by calling phone numbers (720)-865-2720 and (720)-865-2790, or by visiting their office at

Community Planning and Development Department
2nd floor of Webb Municipal Building
201 W.Colfax Avenue
Denver, CO 80202
Hours: 7:30a.m. - 4:30p.m., Mondays - Fridays

What Kind of HVAC Services Do You Offer?

HVAC contractors in Denver provide different services, which include but are not limited to Installation, maintenance, repair, replacement, emergency, and supervisory services across residential, commercial, industrial, and public buildings. In your search for HVAC contractors in Denver, it is important to ensure that your prospective contractor has the requisite skills to execute your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning projects effectively. Note that some HVAC contractors also specialize in one or multiple areas of HVAC work and it is essential to verify the specific area of specialization of your contractor and make sure that it is the same as the service your HVAC project requires. This not only ensures that you are getting professional services, it also saves you the cost of redoing the same project in the long run. Once you have found a licensed contractor, you must ascertain the cost of your intended HVAC project.

The average cost estimates for some common HVAC services in Denver are as follows:

Air conditioner central unit installation (using existing ducts)
$3,653.90 - $4,808.40
Air conditioner window unit installation
$230.29 - $260.99
Air conditioner repairs
$85.11 - $97.45
Boiler installation- (80-120 mbtu/hour)
$ 2534.40 - $3,430.40
Whole house humidifier installation
$377.67 - $445.22
Whole house humidifier repair
$50 - $65
Central air purifier installation
$965.16 - $1,329.53
Central air purifier repair
$88.83 - $155.33
Heat pump installation (80 - 2.5tons)
$3,582.25 - $4,912
Geo-thermal heat pump (3.0 tons heat pump)
$18,852.87 - $19,148.66
Forced air furnace installation (80,000 - 100,000 btu gas)
$2,763.45 - $3,478.88
Forced air furnace repair
$97.23 - $127.94
Thermostat installation
$127.94 - $146.36
Electrical board/Water Heater installation
$193.55 - $256.92

Do You Offer Emergency HVAC Services in Denver?

Emergency heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services can occur in the form of refrigerant leaks, broken water heaters, faulty thermostats, leaky gas pipes, and fan malfunctions. If not promptly repaired, these faults can lead to uncomfortable and inhabitable homes during extreme weather conditions like winter, can cause energy wastage and increased electricity and energy bills, and in extreme cases can cause poisoning and death. With the average resident of Denver paying $78.01 on electricity bills monthly at 11.05 per kilowatt, it is important that HVAC emergencies are treated as soon as they are discovered so as to reduce unnecessary extra costs on utility bills and prevent extreme outcomes. When tackling these issues, it is important that your hired contractor is adequately skilled in the HVAC emergency service you require. You can find such skilled contractors by going through online third-party search sites such as the Better Business Bureau and online directories like the Air Conditioning Contractors of America and the Plumbing - Heating - Cooling Contractors contractor search portals.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for HVAC Contractors in Denver?

The U. S. Bureau of Statistics reports that Colorado recorded 463 of the 4,764 of the total fatal occupational injuries that occurred in 2020. With high casualties such as this, it is important to hire an insured HVAC contractor to execute your project. Hiring an insured HVAC contractor saves you from the financial liabilities associated with injuries occurring in the execution of your project and also saves you from incurring extra costs if any damage is done to your property during the project. Licensed contractors and business owners in Denver are mandated by the Colorado Workers' Compensation Act to insure their workers and employees by taking out a worker's compensation insurance and paying the premiums annually. Failure to take out this insurance on behalf of your employees can result in penalties ranging from fines of up to $500 for every day that the default persists to outright closure of the business. For more information on the worker's compensation process and other related inquiries, you can contact the Division of Workers Compensation of the state's Department of Labour and Employment via phone call at (303)-313-8700 or in person at:

Division of Workers Compensation
Department of Labour and Employment
633 17th Street
Suite 400
Denver, CO 80202

How to File a Complaint Against a Bad HVAC Contractor in Denver

Americans are estimated to spend $400 billion on home remodeling and repairs annually. Unsurprisingly, this amount has attracted scammers and unscrupulous contractors, some of whom pose as HVAC contractors to dupe unsuspecting homeowners in Denver. In 2019, a former contractor was sentenced to 20 years in prison for defrauding homeowners of $150,000. This sum was accumulated in home remodeling scams perpetrated by the contractor over a period of five years. The contractor collected money as a down payment for materials from unsuspecting residents but never completed the projects of homeowners who paid for remodeling projects. From the above, it is clear that the importance of being vigilant and on the lookout for possible scammers when searching for a contractor to execute your home remodeling projects cannot be overemphasized. Some of the tactics employed by fraudulent HVAC contractors in Denver include:

  • Approaching unsuspecting residents for unsolicited inspections and repairs of their air conditioners and heating systems.
  • Operating without verifiable local business addresses.
  • Sending unsolicited emails marketing HVAC services that are filled with grammatical errors.
  • Pressuring residents to make hasty decisions about repair services such as paying upfront, signing contracts without reading and understanding the details.
  • Offering verbal estimates and contracts and pressuring residents to accept on the spot without doing due diligence.

Taking the following precautions can prevent you from falling victim to HVAC scams:

  • Ensure that your prospective contractor is duly licensed.
  • Get cost estimates from at least three HVAC contractors before settling for one.
  • Never accept verbal estimates from prospective contractors. Estimates should be in writing.
  • Beware of unsolicited visits and maintenance checks by strangers claiming to be employees of the Colorado Public Utility Commission.
  • Insist on drawing up a written contract with your prospective contractor. The contract should contain details of the written project estimate as well as your responsibilities and that of the contractor for the duration of the project. This includes who should obtain the necessary permits, project cost, materials to be used, number of payment installments, and the sum to be paid on each installment.
  • Never pay upfront or in cash for any project. Payments should be paid in installments and with checks.
  • Read your contract and other documents related to the project before signing.

HVAC sams in Denver can be reported to the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies by filing a complaint online. You can also contact the Denver Police department to report HVAC scams by calling (720)-913-2000 or send your complaints via mail to

Denver Police Department
Police Administrative Building
1331 Cherokee Street
Denver, CO 80204