Get Quotes from Top HVAC Contractors in Newark, NJ

Questions to Ask Before Hiring an HVAC Contractor in Newark

Newark is one of the most diverse cities in New Jersey, with strong ethnic neighborhoods, a rich cultural heritage, vibrant music, and an arts scene featuring different museums, galleries, and cultural events like those presented at the lively New Jersey Performing Arts Center. However, the city's warm summers and freezing snowy winters mean residents need to keep their HVAC systems running properly to ensure comfortable indoor air quality. Fortunately, over 19,000 HVACR mechanics operate in the New York-Newark-Jersey City area and are available to help with any job your heating or cooling system needs.

Whether installing, repairing, or upgrading ACs, furnaces, heaters, heat pumps, ducts, ventilation systems, or refrigeration units, it is recommended that you hire a licensed and insured HVAC contractor. You should consider the contractor's specialization and service rates. Verifying these details will help you avoid fraudulent contractors or unsatisfactory services.

To ensure you pick the right person for the job, you should ask your Newark HVAC contractor the following questions before signing any contract:

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

The efficiency of your air conditioning, ventilation, and heating systems can significantly affect the comfort of your home. Hiring the right HVAC contractor can help you maintain and improve your HVAC systems' efficiency. These professionals follow the New Jersey Administrative Code and other relevant ventilation and indoor air quality standards when carrying out their work to guarantee that your HVAC devices and appliances are properly installed, repaired, or upgraded. Besides ensuring that your equipment will operate safely and efficiently, hiring these professionals can also help reduce your energy bills by up to 50 percent.

Therefore, it is best to contact a licensed HVAC contractor in Newark when you have a project involving a heating, cooling, and ventilation system that requires any of the following services:

  • Installation, servicing, and repair of central AC
  • Cleaning and repair of air duct
  • Installation, tune-ups, and repair of furnace or fireplace
  • Replacements of HVAC unit air filter
  • Upgrading HVAC systems and equipment to energy-efficient models

Are You Licensed as an HVAC Contractor in Newark?

Any HVAC contractor who wishes to provide heating, ventilation, or air conditioning services in Newark must obtain a license from the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs through the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors. The Board currently offers one type of HVAC contractor license: the master HVACR contractor license.

To be eligible for this license, interested contractors must meet the following requirements:

  • Complete an approved formal apprenticeship, employer-sponsored program, or attend college.
  • Get a federal-mandated certification at an EPA-approved agency to work on devices and equipment that contain refrigerants.
  • Be at least 21 years old.
  • Apply online, pay an application fee, and receive the board's approval to take a test.
  • Pay a testing fee and pass both the New Jersey HVACR Trade and New Jersey Business and Law exams.
  • Provide proof of insurance and bonding.

The State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors will only license applicants who check all the requirements. Before hiring an HVAC contractor for your project, it is best to confirm their licensing status to ensure that you are hiring a professional with the necessary license, skills, and experience. Be aware that HVAC contractors who offer services without a valid license are committing a violation and are liable to a civil penalty not exceeding $10,000 for the first offense and not more than $20,000 for subsequent violations. Consequently, you should use the State Board's license verification system to verify your prospective HVAC contractor's licensing status.

Contact the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors at (973) 504-6250 for more information on obtaining a license and its eligibility requirements.

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

HVAC services in Newark typically range from around $250 to $16,000. However, the exact amount that you will pay depends on several factors, including but not limited to the following:

  • The scope and nature of the project
  • Your building's layout
  • The costs of pulling permits
  • The types of HVAC appliances and equipment involved
  • The complexity, urgency, and labor intensity of the job
  • Other miscellaneous expenses like equipment enhancing components and post-project renovations

Therefore, before starting a project, it is important that you get and compare quotes from at least three HVAC contractors in Newark. This will help you estimate your project's cost and the HVAC contractors' average rates. Also, this way, you can easily avoid getting ripped off by a fraudulent HVAC contractor trying to overcharge you.

Will My HVAC Project Require a Permit in Newark?

Any project that involves installing, modifying, or repairing air conditioning, heating, or ventilation systems in Newark requires a permit. So, before undertaking such a project, you must first obtain this permit from the Newark Permits & Inspections Division. As part of the permit application process, applicants may need to provide the project's building plans, drawings, and other relevant documents.

Contact the Permits & Inspections Division for more information on the requirements and procedure for pulling permits for HVAC projects at (973) 733-4311 or visit the physical location at

City Hall
920 Broad Street
Newark, NJ 07102

What Type of HVAC Services Do You Offer in Newark?

In Newark, HVAC contractors offer a wide range of air conditioning, heating, and ventilation services to residents and visitors, including the following:

Air Conditioner Installation:
$4,524 - $5,953
Air Conditioner Repair:
$110 - $1,250
Furnace Installation:
$3,500 - $8,500
Furnace Repair:
$125 - $2,500
Boiler Installation:
$3,280 - $8,000
Baseboard/Wall Heater Installation/Repair:
$140 - $1,000
Whole House Humidifier Installation:
$467 - $551
Thermostat Installation:
$158 - $181
Central Air Purifier Installation:
$1,195- $1,646

Depending on your project's scope, your preferred HVAC contractor may charge a minimum service fee of around $55 to $250 and a separate labor fee of around $100 to $150 per hour.

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

When planning a project for your heating and cooling requirements, it is important that you verify if your HVAC contractor will subcontract the project to third-party contractors. While many professional HVAC contractors in Newark can handle projects themselves, they may sometimes have to subcontract, especially for large-scale projects. If you agree with the idea of having third-party contractors work on your project, you should take the following steps to ensure the work is completed without problems:

  • Request a lien waiver to protect yourself from financial liability in case the primary HVAC contractor does not pay the subcontractors on time.
  • Ensure the HVAC subcontractors have the appropriate license and experience.
  • Ensure the contractors have adequate insurance.

Are You a Fully Insured and Bonded Newark HVAC Contractor?

HVAC contractors that wish to provide services in Newark must maintain a general liability insurance coverage of at least $500,000 and post a $3,000 surety bond. In addition, they must carry employee workers' compensation insurance. Hiring only insured HVAC contractors for your project is highly recommended to protect you from incurring third-party liabilities.

Therefore, before concluding hiring arrangements with your prospective HVAC contractor, ensure they have adequate insurance coverage and the proper bond amount to cover the scope of your project. Contact the State Board of Examiners of Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Contractors at (973) 504-6250 for more information about Newark HVAC contractors' bond and insurance requirements.

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

Competent and reliable HVAC contractors typically provide a written warranty covering their services and materials. These types of warranties cover the contractor's work for up to two years, while the materials they use are typically covered for around five to ten years. Please note that the warranties' scope depends on the contractor and the type of materials used.

Consequently, before hiring an HVAC contractor in Newark, ensure that they offer written warranties and get a copy to review their terms and conditions.

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

You can file complaints against Newark HVAC contractors for dishonest business practices, subpar services, and similar issues with the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs online or by calling (973) 504- 6200.