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 installing and servicing heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical systems across NH 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

A reputable contractor carries these licenses in-house, not through subcontractor arrangements. Ask which licenses the company holds, who the license holders are, and whether the actual installers on your job are licensed or working under supervision.

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

Most major HVAC manufacturers operate tiered installer programs that require dealer training, install volume, and customer satisfaction metrics. Examples include:

Bosch Platinum Dealer
Mitsubishi Diamond Contractor
Fujitsu Elite Contractor
Daikin Comfort Pro
Trane Comfort Specialist
Lennox Premier Dealer
Generac Premier Dealer for generators

These certifications generally indicate that the contractor has completed factory training, installs the brand regularly, and can offer extended warranties available only through certified installers.

A.J. LeBlanc Heating is a Mitsubishi Diamond Dealer, among other manufacturer certifications. The full list of brands we install and service is available on our manufacturers page.

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?

A contractor that has been replacing furnaces in Manchester, Bedford, Nashua, Concord, Salem, and Auburn for decades has seen every possible NH house configuration and weather extreme. That experience shows up in installation decisions you may not even notice.

Questions worth asking

Before you sign a contract:

Did you perform a Manual J load calculation to size the equipment?
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 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?

The basic parts warranty usually applies regardless of installer. The extended warranty and labor coverage typically require a brand-certified installer. Confirm warranty details before purchase.

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?

Almost never on HVAC work. Low bids often skip the load calculation, use lower-grade ancillary components (zone valves, circulators, controls), or are missing critical scope (permits, condensate handling, electrical changes). The lifetime cost of the cheap bid is often higher than the more thorough one.

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.