Get Quotes from Top HVAC Contractors in Anaheim, CA

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Anaheim

Located approximately 25 miles southeast of downtown LA, Anaheim is a popular destination for families, sports fans, convention-goers, and fun seekers. The Disneyland Resort alone attracts millions of monthly visitors. As with many other Southern California cities, climate conditions in Anaheim are considerably pleasant for much of the year.

However, summer can get quite hot and humid, making efficient and functional cooling systems necessary to keep the city's 346,000 full-time residents and 25 million annual visitors comfortable and thriving. Luckily, the Los Angeles-Anaheim metro area boasts over 10,000 qualified HVAC specialists readily available to install and maintain your heating and cooling systems.

If you are searching for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) services in Anaheim, be aware that the contractors who offer these services typically have varying levels of expertise and specialization. Therefore, you should consider the type of license held by the contractor, their insurance, and the quote submitted for the services.

So, to ensure you pick the best professional and pay the best price for the job, you should ask your HVAC contractor the following questions:

What Do I Need to Know Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Anaheim?

Your home's comfort and livability rely heavily on the effectiveness of your HVAC systems; the same goes for offices, workspaces, and other commercial properties. To ensure that these systems are installed, repaired, or maintained correctly, hiring a licensed and experienced HVAC contractor is essential. These professionals are knowledgeable about and adhere to the California Mechanical Code, local amendments to this code, and other relevant HVAC-related standards that regulate the use of HVAC systems in Anaheim. Hiring them guarantees that:

  • Your HVAC work is done correctly and safely
  • You receive the best possible service
  • You save money on energy costs

Therefore, always call licensed and experienced HVAC contractors to handle any work in Anaheim that involves heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and equipment. Some jobs that these contractors can handle include the following:

  • Air-conditioning unit installation, maintenance, and repair
  • Energy-efficient HVAC system upgrades
  • Air duct cleaning and repair
  • Indoor air quality services
  • Furnace/Fireplace installation, tune-ups, and repair

Are You Licensed as an HVAC Contractor in Anaheim?

Any heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC) job in Anaheim that costs $500 or more, including labor and materials, must be carried out by contractors licensed by the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB) under either of the following categories:

  • C-20 - Warm-air Heating, Ventilating, and Air-conditioning Contractors: Contractors with this classification can fabricate, install, maintain, service, and repair warm-air heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems, including AC units, water heating heat pumps, furnaces, and HVAC systems that use solar energy.
  • C-38 – Refrigeration Contractors: contractors with this classification can construct, fabricate, erect, install, maintain, service, and repair refrigerators, insulated refrigerators, and other similar systems and equipment for controlling air, liquid, or gas temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius.

Failure to comply with this licensing requirement before bidding for or performing HVAC work valued at $500 and above is considered a misdemeanor and carries statutory and administrative penalties of up to six months in jail and $15,000 in fines.

The CSLB typically grants HVAC contractor licenses to applicants with specific qualifications, including:

  • A minimum of four years of acceptable and verifiable HVAC work experience
  • A chlorofluorocarbon certification (federal law mandates all individuals working on refrigerant-containing equipment to get this certification from an EPA-approved agency)
  • A satisfactory score in the CSLB's licensing examination
  • A clear criminal background check

Always hire licensed HVAC contractors, even for jobs that cost less than $500. Doing this assures you that the work will be done competently and satisfactorily. You can use the CSLB's Check a License tool to determine if your prospective HVAC contractors have valid CSLB-issued licenses.

What Rates Do You Charge for Your HVAC Services in Anaheim?

The cost of HVAC services in Anaheim generally ranges from $250 to $16,500. However, the exact amount of money you will pay for your project depends on several factors, such as the following:

  • The nature and scope of the project
  • The types of HVAC equipment and appliances involved
  • The complexity and labor intensity of the job
  • Permit costs
  • The building layout
  • Miscellaneous costs, like post-project renovation expenses

An excellent way to get a fair estimate of your project's overall cost and also avoid being scammed by dishonest contractors is by requesting and comparing quotes from at least three local HVAC contractors.

Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in Anaheim?

A mechanical permit is usually required for projects that involve installing, altering, modifying, moving, repairing, or replacing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems and equipment in Anaheim. The Anaheim Building Division issues these permits, which must be obtained before the project in question commences.

You can find out the permit requirements for your specific project and get answers to other permit-related questions for HVAC projects by contacting the Anaheim Building Division at

City Hall
200 S Anaheim Boulevard
1st Floor
Suite 145
Anaheim, CA 92805
Phone: (714) 765-5153
Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Mondays to Fridays

What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in Anaheim?

Anaheim HVAC contractors typically offer a variety of heating, cooling, and ventilation (HVAC) services like the following:

Air Conditioner Installation:
$4,745 - $12,500
Air Conditioner Repair:
$110 - $1,250
Furnace Installation:
$3,590 - $8,500
Furnace Repair:
$125 - $2,500
Boiler Installation:
$3,280 - $8,000
Baseboard/Wall Heater Installation/Repair:
$150 - $1,000
Whole House Humidifier Installation:
$490 - $580
Thermostat Installation:
$165 - $190
Central Air Purifier Installation:
$1,250 - $1,750

Be aware that you may be charged a minimum service fee of $55 - $250 and hourly labor rates of $100 - $150 separately.

Will You Be Doing the Work, or Do You Outsource the HVAC Work in Anaheim?

When planning your HVAC project, you should always determine whether your work will be outsourced to a third party. Although licensed Anaheim HVAC contractors typically have the skills and expertise required to undertake tasks on their own, they often have to enlist subcontractors for assistance, especially for large-scale projects with fixed deadlines.

We recommend taking the following steps if you confirm that parts of your project will be outsourced to avoid problems with subcontractors down the line and ensure that the work is completed hitch-free:

  • Verify that each subcontractor is experienced and duly licensed..
  • Check their insurance and bond coverage.
  • Ask for lien waivers to protect yourself if your HVAC contractor delays subcontractors' payments or fails to pay them the agreed-on rates.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Anaheim HVAC Contractor?

Anaheim HVAC contractors are not required to carry commercial general liability insurance. Still, they must provide workers' compensation insurance coverage for their employees, if any, and maintain a $25,000 surety bond. Note that these contractors are legally required to inform homeowners whether or not they have commercial general liability insurance coverage before performing any work on their property.

Always confirm your HVAC contractors' insurance and bond status before finalizing hiring agreements with them. For further information regarding Anaheim HVAC contractors' bond and insurance requirements, contact the California Contractors State License Board at (800) 321-2752.

Do You Offer Any Warranties on Your HVAC Work in Anaheim?

Reputable and trustworthy HVAC contractors always provide warranties covering their workmanship for one to two years and materials used in projects for five to ten years. You should be wary of any contractors who seem unwilling to do so. It is important to note that the validity period and scope of these warranties are determined by the contractors that offer them and the equipment being covered.

Therefore, before hiring any HVAC contractors in Anaheim, confirm that they offer warranties that cover their work. You should also request a written copy of any warranty you are offered to review its terms and conditions carefully.

How Do I Resolve Any Issue I Have with Your HVAC Services in Anaheim?

You can report subpar services, scams, and other issues involving Anaheim HVAC contractors to the Orange County District Attorney's Consumer Protection Unit by submitting a Consumer Complaint Form to this unit via email or by regular mail to

300 N. Flower Street
P.O. Box 808
Santa Ana, CA 92703

You can also report issues concerning Anaheim HVAC contractors to the California Contractors State License Board by filing a construction complaint with this agency.