Get Quotes from Top HVAC Contractors in Baltimore, MD

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

Incorrect installation and poor home HVAC system maintenance can cause discomfort and raise your energy bills. Consequently, you should always hire a reputable Baltimore HVAC contractor to handle your HVAC projects. Qualified HVAC contractors ensure your work is done according to the city's Building, Fire and Related Codes and other applicable ventilation and indoor air quality standards. These professionals will install, maintain, repair, or upgrade your HVAC systems satisfactorily and give you peace of mind.

HVAC contractors in Baltimore can provide various services to city residents, including but not limited to the following:

• Furnace repair and tune-ups
• Testing safety controls
• Inspecting thermostat functionality
• AC installation, repair, and maintenance
• Cleaning of coils, elements, and drains in HVAC systems
• Energy-efficient HVAC upgrades
• Duct cleaning and indoor air quality improvement
• Furnace installation and maintenance

Are You Licensed as an HVAC Contractor in Baltimore?

To work on air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration systems in Baltimore, HVAC contractors must obtain a license from the Maryland Department of Labor (MDL) through its Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors. Bidding or providing HVAC services to Baltimore residents is a criminal offense that carries penalties of up to 2 years in jail or a fine of up to $5,000 and license revocation or suspension.

The Board offers different types of licenses to interested individuals in Baltimore:

• Journeyman license: This allows an individual to provide HVACR services while working under the supervision of a licensed professional. Applicants must have at least three years and 1,875 hours of HVACR service training.
• Journeyman limited license: These individuals provide specialized heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services while working under a licensed contractor. Applicants need 1,000 working hours and a current journeyman license to obtain this license.
• Master license: This allows the holder to provide maintenance and installation HVACR services. Interested individuals need at least three years of work experience and a current journeyman license or higher to apply for this license.
• Master restricted license: This gives the holder the right to provide maintenance and installation services on multiple HVACR systems. These include air conditioning, hydronic heating, refrigeration, ventilation, forced air, and heating. They need three years of work experience and a current journeyman license to apply for this license.

The Board will only issue the above license types to individuals who meet certain requirements, such as the following:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Passing a board-approved licensing examination
• Pay the appropriate exam and license fee
• Report to the board if they have any prior criminal convictions
• Carry liability insurance coverage
• Secure a Section 608 Technician Certification from an EPA-approved agency if the applicant will be working on refrigerants.

Obtaining an HVAC contractor license from the Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors ensures contractors have the necessary skills to provide adequate services. Hence, before hiring a prospective HVAC contractor, you should confirm their licensing status via the MDL's license search platform. Contact MDL's Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors for more information on general licensing requirements at (410) 230-6196 or via email.

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

Typically, HVAC contractors in Baltimore charge anywhere from $200 to $18,000. However, the final cost of any service they offer will depend on several factors, such as the following:

• The labor intensity and complexity of the job
• Your location within the city
• The nature and scope of the HVAC project
• The type, brand, and size of the system and equipment
• The building layout and location of the HVAC unit within the building
• The costs of pulling necessary permits and purchasing materials

When choosing an HVAC contractor for your project, getting and comparing quotes from at least three HVAC contractors near you is important. Doing so will allow you to accurately estimate the cost of the job and identify any dishonest contractor trying to overcharge you.

Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in Baltimore?

Any project that involves enlarging, converting, replacing, installing, erecting, altering, or removing mechanical systems in Baltimore requires a mechanical permit. These systems include various types of equipment used in cooling and heating buildings and facilities, such as air conditioning units, water heaters, and heat pumps. Minor repairs do not usually require permits. However, if the item to be repaired requires significant alteration or a complete replacement, it will need a mechanical permit. The Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development handles and reviews mechanical permit applications. The Department only issues mechanical permits to licensed HVAC contractors, who can apply for them online through the agency's epermit platform.

You can direct questions regarding mechanical permit requirements and procedures to the Baltimore City Department of Housing & Community Development at (443) 984-1809.

What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in Baltimore?

In Baltimore, a professional HVAC contractor can provide various services to keep the air conditioning, heating, and ventilation systems in your building working effectively. HVAC contractors typically charge a minimum of $80 to $200 for their services and an hourly labor rate of around $100 to $180. Some of the services these professionals provide in the city include the following:

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

Even though licensed HVAC professionals in Baltimore can usually handle projects independently, they often subcontract work to other professionals. So, before agreeing to work with an HVAC contractor, ask if they will subcontract the project.

If the contractor confirms that they will subcontract the work, we recommend that you follow the following steps to ensure that the project is completed on time and without problems:

• Ensure that all HVAC subcontractors are adequately licensed and experienced to handle the tasks assigned to them.
• Confirm the subcontractors' insurance status and if it is appropriate for your project.
• Get a lien waiver to protect yourself if the primary HVAC contractor fails to pay the subcontractors on time.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Baltimore HVAC Contractor?

HVAC contractors in Baltimore holding a master HVAC license must carry general liability and property damage insurance in the following amounts:

• General liability insurance coverage of at least $300,000.
• Property damage liability insurance of at least $100,000.
• A combined amount of the general liability and property damage insurance of at least $400,000

Therefore, before hiring an HVAC contractor, verify their insurance status and check if it is adequate to cover the scope of your work. For more information regarding the insurance requirements of HVAC contractors in Baltimore, contact the MDL's Board of Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors at (410) 230-6196 or by email.

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

When installing and maintaining HVAC equipment in Baltimore, it is important to confirm if your prospective HVAC contractor will offer you a warranty that covers their work. These types of warranties typically cover the contractor's work for up to two years and installed equipment and parts for up to ten years.

Be aware that the specific coverage terms of these warranties depend on the HVAC contractor who offers them. Therefore, ensure you ask them for a written copy of any warranty they offer to review its terms thoroughly and avoid voiding it.