How to Choose an HVAC Contractor in London, ON: 10 Questions to Ask
Make a confident decision for your home's comfort and safety. Use this essential checklist to vet potential HVAC companies in London, Ontario.
Choosing an HVAC contractor in London, Ontario, is a decision that impacts your home's comfort, safety, and energy bills for years to come. With so many companies to choose from, it can be difficult to know who to trust. Use this checklist of 10 essential questions to help you find a reliable, certified, and experienced HVAC professional.
Are you licensed and insured?
This is the most crucial question. In Ontario, an HVAC technician must be licensed by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). Insurance protects you from liability in case of on-site accidents. Never hire an unlicensed contractor β it's illegal, dangerous, and can void your home insurance. Ask to see their TSSA certification and proof of insurance before any work begins.
Can you provide a written, itemized estimate?
A reputable contractor will provide a detailed quote that outlines all costs, including parts, labor, and any potential extra fees. This prevents unexpected charges later on. Be wary of verbal quotes or estimates that seem too good to be true. A written estimate protects both you and the contractor by setting clear expectations upfront.
Do you offer a satisfaction guarantee or warranty on your work?
A good company stands behind its service. Ask about warranties on both the equipment (manufacturer warranty) and the installation labor (workmanship warranty). Most manufacturers offer 5-10 year warranties on parts, while reputable contractors offer at least 1-2 years on labor. Get warranty details in writing before signing any contract.
How long have you been serving the London area?
A long-standing local company often has a proven track record and deep understanding of the unique HVAC needs of the London, Ontario climate. They understand our cold winters, humid summers, and local building codes. We've been serving London since 2018 and have completed thousands of installations and repairs across the city and surrounding areas.
What brands and systems do you recommend, and why?
An experienced contractor will recommend systems based on your specific home size, budget, and energy goals. Be wary of a company that only offers one brand β they may be pushing inventory rather than finding the best fit for you. We offer Goodman, Lennox, Carrier, and Navien, and we'll explain the pros and cons of each for your specific situation.
Will you perform a proper load calculation for my home?
An accurate load calculation (Manual J) ensures you get a system that is correctly sized for your home, preventing inefficient and costly operation. An oversized system will short-cycle, wear out faster, and leave your home uncomfortable. An undersized system will run constantly and never keep up. Never trust a contractor who skips this step.
Do you have testimonials or references I can contact?
Checking reviews on Google and other platforms is a great way to gauge the company's reputation and quality of work. Look for companies with 4.5+ stars and 50+ reviews. Ask for references from recent customers in your neighbourhood. We have 138 verified 5-star Google reviews β check them yourself to see what your neighbours say about us.
Will you handle all the necessary permits?
Most major HVAC installations require a permit from the City of London. A professional contractor should handle this process for you. Never hire a contractor who suggests skipping permits β it's illegal, unsafe, and will cause problems when you sell your home. We handle all permitting and inspections so you don't have to worry.
Do you offer maintenance plans?
Regular maintenance is key to prolonging the life of your system. Ask if they have service plans that include annual check-ups and discounts on repairs. Our Basic Maintenance plan is $149/year and includes annual tune-up, filter change, and priority service. Premium Maintenance is $249/year with two tune-ups, 15% repair discount, and waived diagnostic fees.
Are there any rebates or financing options available?
A knowledgeable contractor will be aware of all the latest government rebates (Enbridge up to $650, Greener Homes up to $5,000, OHRSP up to $7,500) and will help you apply for them, as well as offer financing options to make a new system more affordable. We handle all rebate paperwork for our customers β you don't need to figure it out alone.
Red Flags to Watch For When Hiring an HVAC Contractor
This is illegal and dangerous. Run.
Reputable companies take payment after work is complete.
Always get everything in writing before work starts.
"This price is only good today" is a classic red flag.
A legitimate company has a real office or shop location.
If they won't share reviews or references, there's a reason.
Abdullah Ghzail β Owner & Lead TSSA-Certified HVAC Specialist
"After years in the HVAC industry in London, I've seen homeowners make costly mistakes by choosing the wrong contractor. The most important advice I can give: verify TSSA certification, read recent reviews, and get everything in writing. Don't be pressured into decisions β take your time and do your research. A reputable contractor will be happy to provide references, proof of insurance, and detailed written estimates. We're proud to meet all the criteria in this guide and invite you to check our credentials against every question above."
What London Homeowners Say About Choosing Hawana HVAC
"I used this guide to vet HVAC contractors in London. Hawana checked every box: TSSA certification, 138 five-star reviews, transparent pricing, and quick response. Abdullah installed our new furnace and explained everything clearly. No pressure, no hidden fees. This guide saved me from hiring a questionable company I was considering. Highly recommend both the guide and Hawana."
β Spur B. London ON Β· December 2025
"The question about load calculations was eye-opening. Two other companies quoted us without even looking at our house near Victoria Park. Abdullah spent an hour measuring windows, checking insulation, and calculating exactly what we needed. The system is perfectly sized and our energy bills dropped 20%. This guide is essential reading before hiring any HVAC company in London."
β Cove T. London ON Β· November 2025
"I was overwhelmed by all the HVAC companies in London until I found this guide. The red flags section helped me avoid a company that wanted full payment upfront and wouldn't provide references. Hawana was professional, transparent, and handled all the rebate paperwork for us. We got $650 back from Enbridge. Don't hire anyone without reading this first."
β Dune K. London ON Β· October 2025
HVAC Contractor Selection FAQ β 2026
TSSA licensing ensures that a technician has met the required safety and quality standards to work on gas and other heating equipment in Ontario. Hiring a TSSA-certified professional guarantees a higher level of expertise and compliance with safety regulations. Unlicensed work is illegal, dangerous, and can void your home insurance. Always ask for proof of TSSA certification before hiring.
A load calculation (Manual J) is a detailed assessment of your home's heating and cooling needs. It considers square footage, insulation, window types, sun exposure, and occupancy to determine the precise system size needed. An improperly sized system will be inefficient, cycle too frequently, fail prematurely, and cost you more on energy bills. Never hire a contractor who skips this step.
Not necessarily. While cost is a factor, the lowest price can indicate lower-quality work, lack of insurance, cheap equipment, or hidden fees. Compare quotes from several reputable companies and consider overall value: licensing, warranty, customer service, and experience. The cheapest option often becomes the most expensive in the long run through poor workmanship and frequent repairs.
Ask: Are you TSSA certified and insured? Can you provide written itemized estimates? Do you offer warranties on work and equipment? How long have you served London? What brands do you recommend? Will you perform a load calculation? Do you have references? Will you handle permits? Do you offer maintenance plans? What rebates or financing are available?
Red flags include: no TSSA license or insurance, demands for full payment upfront, verbal quotes only (no written estimate), high-pressure sales tactics, refusal to provide references, no physical business address, poor online reviews with unprofessional responses, and lack of knowledge about local permits and rebates. Trust your instincts β if it feels wrong, it probably is.
Yes. Most major HVAC installations (furnace, AC, heat pump, gas line work) require a permit from the City of London. A professional contractor should handle this process for you. Never hire a contractor who suggests skipping permits β it's illegal, unsafe, and can cause issues when selling your home. We handle all permitting and inspections.
Check Google reviews, BBB rating, and HomeStars. Look for 4.5+ stars with 50+ reviews. Read both positive and negative reviews to identify patterns. Ask for local references you can contact. Check if the company responds professionally to negative reviews. We have 138 verified 5-star Google reviews and an A+ BBB rating β check them yourself.
London homeowners can access up to $650 Enbridge rebate for furnaces, up to $5,000 Greener Homes grant, and up to $7,500 OHRSP rebate for heat pumps. A knowledgeable contractor will help you apply. Ask potential contractors about their experience with rebate applications before hiring. We handle all rebate paperwork for our customers.
Regular maintenance extends equipment lifespan, improves efficiency (saving 5-15% on energy bills), prevents costly breakdowns, maintains warranty validity, and ensures safe operation. Ask contractors about maintenance plans before hiring. Our Basic Plan is $149/year and includes annual tune-up, filter change, and priority service.
Local companies typically offer faster response times, personalized service, better knowledge of local climate and regulations, competitive pricing, and accountability to their community reputation. National chains may have higher overhead costs and less flexibility. For most London homeowners, a well-established local company with TSSA certification and strong reviews is the best choice.
Need a Trustworthy HVAC Contractor in London?
Our team is fully licensed, TSSA-certified, and ready to answer all your questions. Contact us for a transparent and honest quote on your next HVAC project. 138 five-star reviews β see what your neighbours say.
π (647) 550-4220
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