How to Choose an HVAC Contractor in New Hampshire

Choosing an experienced HVAC contractor matters more than choosing the right brand of equipment. The same furnace, heat pump, or AC system can deliver a long, trouble-free life or a string of warranty calls, depending on who installs it. For southern New Hampshire homeowners, knowing what to look for in a contractor is one of the highest-payoff parts of any HVAC project.

At A.J. LeBlanc Heating, we have been serving southern New Hampshire since 1928. Below is the framework we would use if we were the homeowner.

State licensing and insurance

New Hampshire requires specific licenses for the trades involved in most HVAC projects:

Gas fitter license for any natural gas or propane installation
Plumbing license for water heater, boiler, and any potable-water work
Electrical license for the electrical connections to the equipment, transfer switches, EV chargers, and generators
Refrigerant handling certification (EPA Section 608) for any work on systems containing refrigerant

Ask who is performing each part of the work, which licenses apply, and who is responsible for permits, supervision, and warranty support. A.J. LeBlanc Heating's HVAC employees are EPA-certified and New Hampshire-licensed fuel gas fitters. Licensed plumbers and electricians perform work within their trades.

The contractor should also carry general liability insurance and workers' compensation. Ask for a current certificate of insurance for both. Uninsured work shifts financial risk to the homeowner.

Manufacturer certifications

Manufacturer programs differ. Some provide training, technical support, product registration tools, lead programs, or access to qualifying warranty options. Ask what the named credential means for the exact equipment in the proposal. A.J. LeBlanc Heating's active primary-line credentials include Mitsubishi Diamond Contractor, Daikin Comfort Pro, LG Pro Dealer Platinum, and Bosch Platinum Home Comfort PRO.

We also install or service other approved brands when they fit the project, including Fujitsu, Samsung, Gree, Goodman, American Standard, and Carrier.

Industry credentials

Beyond manufacturer programs, several industry credentials indicate ongoing investment in trade knowledge:

ACCA Quality Assured (QA) certification for installation quality standards
NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified technicians
BPI (Building Performance Institute) certifications for envelope and load calculation expertise
PHCC and NH HBA membership in state and national trade associations

None of these are required to do good work. Their presence tells you the company invests in continuing education and is accountable to industry peer standards.

Local track record

For HVAC work in NH, local presence matters more than brand glossiness:

How long has the company been in business in this area?
Where is the office, and is service truly local?
Are the installers and service technicians employees, or rotating subcontractors?
What do recent customers say in independent reviews (Google, BBB, Manchester Radio Group's Best of the 603, Union Leader Readers' Choice)?
Will they provide references for similar projects?

Decades of work in Manchester, Bedford, Nashua, Concord, Salem, Auburn, and surrounding communities expose a contractor to a wide range of New Hampshire housing, distribution systems, fuels, and winter conditions. That experience helps when the straightforward replacement turns out not to be straightforward.

Questions worth asking

Before you sign a contract:

How did you size the equipment for this home? A.J. LeBlanc Heating performs Manual J for every new-construction heating and air-conditioning system and uses scope-appropriate sizing and load analysis for other projects.
Will you pull all required permits?
What is the warranty on parts? On labor? What does the manufacturer warranty cover?
Are you replacing the equipment only, or also addressing the system around it (ductwork, controls, ventilation)?
What rebates and tax credits am I eligible for, and will you help with the paperwork?
What does annual service look like and what does it cost?
If I have an issue at 2 AM on a Saturday in February, who answers the phone?

Red flags

Walk away from:

Estimates that arrive without a site visit
Pressure to decide today or "the deal expires"
Reluctance to provide license numbers, insurance certificates, or references
No permit included in the quote
Sizing based on "same as the old one" rather than a load calculation
Very low bids that turn into expensive change orders
No clear path for warranty service after the install

The brands we install

A.J. LeBlanc Heating installs and services more than 30 manufacturers across heating, cooling, plumbing, electrical, and generators. A representative sample:

Heating and cooling: Mitsubishi, Daikin, Fujitsu, LG, Bosch, Trane, Lennox, Goodman, Rheem, York, American Standard
Boilers: Viessmann, Buderus, Burnham, Biasi, Navien, Energy Kinetics, Utica
Water heaters: Rheem, A.O. Smith, Bradford White, State, Navien, Rinnai, HTP SuperStor
Generators: Generac, Kohler
Smart thermostats and IAQ: ecobee, Nest, Aprilaire
Controls: Honeywell, Taco

For the full list, see our manufacturers page.

Schedule a consultation

If you are evaluating contractors for an HVAC, plumbing, or electrical project in southern New Hampshire, contact A.J. LeBlanc Heating or call 603-623-0412 for a no-pressure conversation. Serving NH families since 1928.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to use a brand-certified installer to get the manufacturer warranty?

Warranty terms vary by manufacturer, model, registration, and installer eligibility. Ask for the parts, labor, registration, and maintenance requirements in writing before you buy. Every heating and air-conditioning installation includes A.J. LeBlanc Heating's 5-year workmanship warranty. The proposal also identifies the manufacturer coverage for the selected equipment.

How many quotes should I get?

For major equipment replacements, two to three quotes from licensed contractors is reasonable. Beyond that, you mostly hear the same range with slight brand and design variations. More important than the number of quotes is the quality of the conversation with each contractor.

Is the lowest bid always the right choice?

Not automatically. Compare equipment, design assumptions, controls, duct or piping scope, electrical work, permits, commissioning, warranty coverage, and service support. A lower price can be fair, but only when the proposals include comparable work.

What is a Manual J?

A Manual J load calculation is the industry-standard method for sizing residential heating and cooling equipment. It accounts for the home's insulation, windows, air leakage, and local design temperatures to produce a calculated heat loss and heat gain. Sizing without it is guessing.

Should I expect a permit on my project?

For most HVAC work in NH, yes. Permits cover electrical, gas, and plumbing scope, and inspections protect both you and the contractor. A reputable contractor includes permits in the quote.