Best Hvac Companies in New Hampshire 2026
Your HVAC system is the most critical mechanical component of a New Hampshire home. When it’s -5°F in January and the furnace quits, you need a company that answers the phone at 2 AM and has a tech at your door within hours — not one that puts you on a callback list until Monday. New Hampshire’s climate demands heating systems that run hard for six months straight, and the growing adoption of heat pumps has added a new layer of complexity that not every HVAC company has mastered. We evaluated HVAC contractors across the state based on licensing, emergency response capability, client reviews, installation quality, and expertise with both traditional oil/gas systems and modern heat pump technology. These are the top HVAC companies in New Hampshire for 2026 — the ones worth trusting with the system that keeps your family warm. For related costs, check our home services resources.
1. Paradigm Plumbing, Heating & AC — Manchester/Southern NH
Paradigm has been the dominant HVAC provider in southern New Hampshire for 22 years, with a team of 28 technicians serving Manchester, Nashua, and surrounding communities. Their strength is breadth — they handle oil furnaces, gas boilers, central air, ductless mini-splits, and whole-house heat pump systems with equal competence. The company maintains a fleet of 18 service vehicles stocked with common parts, which means most repairs are completed in a single visit rather than requiring a return trip for parts. Their 24/7 emergency service has a documented average response time of 2.4 hours, which is exceptional for the region. Paradigm is a Mitsubishi Diamond Contractor and Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, giving them access to extended warranty programs on both heat pump and traditional system installations.
Service Area: Manchester, Nashua, Bedford, Merrimack, Londonderry, 30-mile radius
Licenses: NH Gas Fitter, Oil Burner Tech, EPA 608 Universal
Specialties: Oil-to-heat-pump conversions, boiler systems, central AC
Emergency Service: 24/7, avg 2.4-hour response
Warranty: 2-year labor on installations, manufacturer warranty support
Client Rating: 4.8/5 (347 reviews)
2. Seacoast Comfort Systems — Portsmouth/Dover/Exeter
Seacoast Comfort Systems has built a loyal following in the seacoast region over 15 years by specializing in high-efficiency systems for older homes — the exact challenge most seacoast homeowners face. Their team of 16 technicians has particular expertise in retrofitting ductless heat pumps into historic Portsmouth and Exeter homes where adding traditional ductwork is impractical or prohibited by historic district rules. Owner Chris Dougherty holds a Building Performance Institute (BPI) certification and approaches every installation from an energy-efficiency perspective, often recommending air sealing and insulation improvements alongside equipment upgrades. The company processes NH Saves rebate paperwork for clients, which can reduce heat pump installation costs by $500-$1,500.
Service Area: Portsmouth, Dover, Exeter, Hampton, Rye, seacoast region
Licenses: NH Gas Fitter, Oil Burner Tech, EPA 608, BPI Certified
Specialties: Ductless heat pumps, historic home retrofits, energy audits
Emergency Service: 24/7, avg 3-hour response
Warranty: 3-year labor, 12-year compressor (heat pumps)
Client Rating: 4.9/5 (189 reviews)
3. Lakes Region HVAC — Laconia/Meredith/Wolfeboro
Lakes Region HVAC serves a territory where many homes are seasonal, heating systems sit idle for months, and extreme cold puts equipment under maximum stress. The company has adapted its service model accordingly — they offer winterization and spring startup packages for vacation homes ($175-$275), priority scheduling for seasonal property managers, and a monitoring service that alerts homeowners to furnace failures before pipes freeze. Their 12-person team handles everything from oil boiler replacements in 1960s lakefront cottages to geothermal installations for new construction. The company’s intimate knowledge of Lakes Region conditions — including which lakefront homes need humidity control to prevent condensation damage — sets them apart from larger companies that treat the area as a secondary market.
Service Area: Laconia, Meredith, Wolfeboro, Gilford, Center Harbor, Lakes Region
Licenses: NH Gas Fitter, Oil Burner Tech, EPA 608
Specialties: Seasonal property HVAC, oil boilers, geothermal, winterization
Emergency Service: 24/7, avg 3.5-hour response (longer for remote locations)
Warranty: 2-year labor on installations
Client Rating: 4.8/5 (112 reviews)
4. Capitol Heating & Cooling — Concord/Central NH
Capitol Heating & Cooling provides straightforward, no-upsell HVAC service to central New Hampshire. Owner Jeff Marcoux runs a 10-person operation that focuses on doing the basics exceptionally well — furnace repair, boiler maintenance, AC installation, and heat pump retrofits. Use our home maintenance calculator for detailed numbers. Their maintenance plan ($189/year for heating, $149 for AC, $299 for both) includes annual tune-ups, priority scheduling, and 15% off parts — a structure that keeps customers loyal. Capitol’s sweet spot is mid-range residential work: oil furnace replacements ($4,500-$7,000), gas boiler installations ($5,500-$9,000), and 2-3 zone mini-split systems ($9,000-$15,000). They’re not the cheapest, but their installation quality and post-sale service consistently earn top reviews.
Service Area: Concord, Bow, Hopkinton, Henniker, Pembroke, 25-mile radius
Licenses: NH Gas Fitter, Oil Burner Tech, EPA 608
Specialties: Furnace/boiler replacement, maintenance plans, heat pump installs
Emergency Service: 24/7 for plan members, next-day for non-members
Warranty: 2-year labor, 10-year parts (on qualifying equipment)
Client Rating: 4.8/5 (156 reviews)
5. Green Mountain Mechanical — Upper Valley/Keene
Green Mountain Mechanical serves the Upper Valley and Monadnock Region, an area underserved by larger HVAC companies based in the southern tier. The company has invested heavily in cold-climate heat pump expertise, becoming a Fujitsu Elite Contractor and one of the first NH companies to install Mitsubishi’s Hyper-Heat systems rated to -13°F. Their 8-person team splits work between traditional heating (oil and propane systems are dominant in the Upper Valley) and modern heat pump conversions, which have surged in demand as Dartmouth-area homeowners seek to reduce fossil fuel use. Green Mountain also handles commercial light HVAC for the small businesses and nonprofits that populate the Lebanon-Hanover corridor.
Service Area: Lebanon, Hanover, Claremont, Keene, Upper Valley, Monadnock Region
Licenses: NH Gas Fitter, Oil Burner Tech, EPA 608, Fujitsu Elite
Specialties: Cold-climate heat pumps, propane systems, energy retrofits
Emergency Service: 24/7 for plan members, same-day when possible
Warranty: 2-year labor, manufacturer warranty support
Client Rating: 4.7/5 (78 reviews)
How We Ranked These Companies
| Criteria | Weight | What We Evaluated |
|---|---|---|
| Licensing & Certifications | 25% | NH trade licenses, manufacturer certifications, EPA certs |
| Client Reviews | 25% | Average ratings, review volume, common praise/complaints |
| Emergency Response | 20% | 24/7 availability, documented response times, staffing |
| Installation Quality | 15% | Manufacturer certifications, warranty terms, code compliance |
| Pricing Transparency | 15% | Written estimates, flat-rate vs. hourly, upsell practices |
HVAC Costs in New Hampshire
| Service/Equipment | Low Estimate | Average Cost | High Estimate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furnace Repair (diagnostic + fix) | $150 | $350 | $800 |
| Oil Furnace Replacement | $4,000 | $5,800 | $7,500 |
| Gas Furnace Replacement | $3,500 | $5,200 | $7,000 |
| Gas Boiler Replacement | $5,000 | $7,500 | $12,000 |
| Oil Boiler Replacement | $5,500 | $8,000 | $13,000 |
| Central AC Installation | $4,000 | $6,500 | $10,000 |
| Ductless Mini-Split (single zone) | $3,500 | $5,000 | $7,000 |
| Ductless Mini-Split (3-zone) | $9,000 | $13,000 | $18,000 |
| Whole-House Heat Pump System | $15,000 | $22,000 | $32,000 |
| Annual Maintenance (heating) | $150 | $225 | $350 |
| Annual Maintenance (heating + cooling) | $250 | $350 | $500 |
| Emergency Service Call (after hours) | $150 | $250 | $400 |
Heat Pumps vs. Traditional Heating in New Hampshire
The heat pump question is the biggest decision NH homeowners face when replacing or upgrading their heating system. Cold-climate heat pumps have improved dramatically — models from Mitsubishi (Hyper-Heat), Fujitsu (XLTH), and Daikin (Aurora) now operate efficiently down to -13°F to -15°F, covering the vast majority of New Hampshire winter hours. The economics are compelling: electricity for a heat pump costs roughly $1,200-$1,800 per heating season versus $2,800-$3,600 for oil heat in a typical 1,800 sq ft home.
The practical approach for most NH homeowners is a hybrid system — heat pumps as the primary heat source with the existing oil or gas furnace as backup for the coldest stretches. This captures 70-80% of the heat pump savings while maintaining reliability during extended cold snaps. A 3-zone mini-split system with an existing oil furnace backup costs $9,000-$15,000 installed (before NH Saves rebates of $500-$1,500) and typically pays for itself in 5-8 years through fuel savings.
Full electrification (removing the fossil fuel system entirely) is viable but requires a powerful heat pump system, backup electric resistance heat, and a home with adequate electrical service (200 amp minimum). The upfront cost is higher ($18,000-$32,000), but the operating cost is the lowest available and there’s no oil tank to maintain or fuel to purchase. Use our mortgage calculator to see how equipment financing affects your monthly budget.
When to Replace vs. Repair Your HVAC System
- Replace if: the system is 15-20+ years old, repair costs exceed 50% of replacement cost, you’re seeing increasing frequency of breakdowns, energy bills have been climbing despite normal use, or the system uses R-22 refrigerant (phased out, increasingly expensive).
- Repair if: the system is under 10 years old, the issue is a single component failure (ignitor, blower motor, capacitor), and the system has been well-maintained with annual service.
- Consider upgrading if: you’re currently spending $3,000+ annually on heating oil, your home lacks AC and you want cooling capability, or you want to reduce your carbon footprint while cutting energy costs.
Compare With Other States
Considering other markets? Here’s how other states compare:
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Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I service my furnace or boiler in New Hampshire?
Annually, before heating season begins — ideally in September or October. Annual maintenance includes cleaning the burner, checking the heat exchanger for cracks, replacing the oil filter (oil systems), testing safety controls, and verifying efficiency. A tuned furnace runs 5-10% more efficiently than one that hasn’t been serviced. Most HVAC companies offer maintenance plans ($150-$350/year) that include priority scheduling and discounts on repairs. In New Hampshire’s climate, where your heating system runs 6+ months per year, skipping annual service is false economy.
How much does it cost to replace a furnace in New Hampshire?
An oil furnace replacement runs $4,000-$7,500 installed; a gas furnace replacement runs $3,500-$7,000. The range depends on the efficiency rating (80% AFUE vs. 95%+), the complexity of the installation (ductwork modifications, oil tank replacement, gas line work), and the contractor. High-efficiency models cost more upfront but save 15-20% on fuel costs annually. For a $5,800 average furnace replacement, the payback from efficiency gains is typically 8-12 years. Get at least three written estimates and compare both equipment brands and warranty terms.
Are heat pumps worth it in New Hampshire’s cold climate?
Yes — with the right equipment and expectations. Modern cold-climate heat pumps operate efficiently down to -13°F to -15°F, which covers 95%+ of NH winter hours. A 3-zone mini-split system ($9,000-$15,000 after rebates) can reduce heating costs by 40-60% compared to oil heat. The key is pairing the heat pump with an existing backup system for the handful of extremely cold days each winter. Full electrification is possible but requires a larger investment. The financial case is strongest for homes currently heating with oil or propane, where fuel costs are highest.
What NH Saves rebates are available for HVAC equipment?
NH Saves offers significant rebates for energy-efficient HVAC equipment: $500-$1,500 per qualifying heat pump or mini-split system, rebates for high-efficiency furnaces and boilers, and up to $4,000 for comprehensive weatherization (insulation + air sealing + equipment). The program is funded by NH electric and gas utilities and the rebates are available to all NH homeowners. Your HVAC contractor should be familiar with the program and able to handle the paperwork. Check current rebate levels at the NH Saves website — they adjust annually based on program funding.
How do I choose between a repair and a full replacement?
The 50% rule is a good starting point: if the repair cost exceeds 50% of what a new system would cost, replace. Also consider age — a 17-year-old furnace that needs a $1,500 repair is likely to need another repair next year. Factor in efficiency gains: replacing a 20-year-old 80% efficient furnace with a 95% model saves roughly $500-$800 per year in fuel costs, which means the new furnace partially pays for itself. Finally, consider reliability — a new system comes with a manufacturer warranty (typically 10 years on parts) and gives you peace of mind for the next decade of NH winters.
What should I look for in an HVAC maintenance plan?
A good maintenance plan includes: annual tune-up of heating and/or cooling equipment, priority scheduling for repairs (especially important during winter emergencies), a discount on parts and labor (typically 10-15%), and no diagnostic fee for service calls. Plans typically cost $150-$350 per year for heating only, $250-$500 for combined heating and cooling. The value is in the priority scheduling — when your furnace dies on a -10°F Saturday night, plan members get bumped to the front of the line. Our home services directory lists HVAC companies with maintenance programs across the state.
Do I need a licensed HVAC contractor in New Hampshire?
Yes, for any work involving gas lines (requires NH Gas Fitter license), oil burner installation or service (requires Oil Burner Technician certification), or refrigerant handling (requires EPA 608 certification). General ductwork and some heating repairs don’t technically require a license, but hiring an unlicensed technician for anything involving combustion equipment is a safety risk. Always verify credentials — ask for license numbers and check them with the NH Office of Professional Licensure and Certification. Insurance (liability and workers’ comp) is equally important to verify.