Heating and Cooling Repair in Vancouver, WA

Quick answer

HVAC Repair Guys repairs furnaces, heat pumps, air conditioners, and ductless systems in Vancouver, Washington homes. Because you're in Washington, verify any contractor with the Department of Labor & Industries, and if Clark Public Utilities is your utility, ask about its heat pump programs. A technician finds the cause, and no work starts until you say yes.

Key facts

State rules that apply	Washington
Who registers contractors	Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (L&I)
How to check a contractor	L&I Verify tool: license, bond, insurance, history
Incentives to ask about	Clark Public Utilities heat pump and ductless programs
Smell gas?	Leave, then call 911 and, if NW Natural is your gas utility, 800-882-3377
Smoke guidance	U.S. EPA

Which side of the river are you on? Why it matters

It matters because Vancouver is in Washington, so Washington's contractor rules and your local utility's programs apply to your home, not Oregon's.

Washington contractors are registered with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), and you check them with L&I's own lookup. If Clark Public Utilities is your electric utility, its heat pump programs are the ones to ask about. If you live in Portland, the Oregon CCB and Energy Trust of Oregon apply instead. Our Portland page covers that side.

How do I check an HVAC contractor in Washington?

Use L&I's Verify a Contractor tool before you hire. L&I says it shows whether a contractor meets state requirements.

For a bigger job, like replacing a system, L&I's hiring guide also suggests comparing written bids and getting a written contract before you sign.

Whether the contractor has an active license.
Whether they are bonded and insured for damage that may happen.
Whether they keep a safe job site, or have fixed past violations.
Their license history, including past lawsuits or license violations.

1Get at least 3 written bids and compare them carefully.
2Ask for references, and stay alert for scams.
3Get a written contract, and make sure you understand the terms.
4For larger projects, consider asking for a performance bond.
5If things still go wrong, L&I points eligible homeowners to its Homeowner Recovery Fund.

Use L&I's Verify tool to check a contractor's registration, bond, insurance, and history before you sign.

Not sure what's wrong yet?

Start with the safe checks. Many problems are a setting, a breaker, or a filter.

Find your symptom Compare repair vs. replace

Repair first: we fix what can be fixed
You approve the price before work starts
Sources listed for outside facts

What heat pump incentives can Vancouver homeowners ask about?

If Clark Public Utilities is your utility, ask about its Heat Pump Program and its Ductless Heat Pump Program. Both are aimed at homes heated with electricity.

Program	Who may qualify	Key rule
Heat Pump Program	Customers with electrically heated homes. The rebate depends on the heat pump type and your current heating.	Installed by a contractor in the utility's contractor network.
Ductless Heat Pump Program	Homeowners with permanently installed electric heat, like baseboard, wall, or ceiling heat or an electric furnace.	Installed by a network contractor properly licensed in Washington. Self-installs don't qualify.

Most repairs don't involve incentives. They matter when replacing makes more sense. You may qualify — we'll confirm with the utility's current rules before you rely on it. The federal home improvement tax credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025.

How should I run my HVAC during wildfire smoke in Vancouver?

Set your system to keep outdoor air out and run the fan through a good filter. The U.S. EPA says outdoor smoke can get in through open windows, fans that vent outside, and HVAC systems with a fresh air intake.

Before smoke season, find out if your system has a fresh air intake and learn how to close it or switch to recirculate.
Use a MERV 13 filter, or as high a rating as your system fan and filter slot can handle. Don't bend or crush a filter to make it fit.
Pick one room as a clean room and run a portable air cleaner there. EPA says to size it to the room and make sure it doesn't make ozone.
No air cleaner? EPA describes a do-it-yourself version made from a box fan and furnace filters.
Check outdoor air quality on AirNow.gov. When it gets better, even for a while, EPA says to air out the house.

What should I do if I smell gas or my CO alarm goes off?

Get out of the house first, even if the gas smell is faint. Don't search for where it's coming from.

1Don't flip light switches, use a phone or flashlight, or light anything inside. Don't start a car.
2Get everyone out and away from the house.
3From a safe distance, call 911. If NW Natural is your gas utility, also call its 24-hour line at 800-882-3377.
4If your carbon monoxide (CO) alarm goes off, get everyone into fresh air outside and call 911.
5Go back in only when emergency responders say it's safe.

The U.S. EPA says headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea can be signs of CO exposure. If people feel better once outside, tell 911.

Common questions

Do you work on the Washington side, in Vancouver?

Yes. We fix gas furnaces, heat pumps, central AC, and ductless mini-splits in Vancouver, Washington. Washington rules apply to that work, so check any contractor on L&I Verify. Share your address and we will confirm we cover it.

What does Washington L&I's contractor lookup show?

L&I's Verify tool shows whether a contractor has an active license, is bonded and insured, and keeps a safe job site. It also shows license history, including past lawsuits and violations. Check it before you sign anything.

What does Clark Public Utilities require for a heat pump rebate?

Clark Public Utilities' Heat Pump Program is for customers with electrically heated homes, and a contractor in its contractor network must do the install. The rebate depends on the heat pump type and how you heat now. You may qualify — we'll confirm with the utility's current rules.

Can I install a ductless heat pump myself and still get the Clark Public Utilities rebate?

No. Clark Public Utilities says self-installs don't qualify. The system must be installed by a contractor in its network who is properly licensed in Washington.

What is Washington's Homeowner Recovery Fund?

It's an L&I program for eligible homeowners when a contractor job goes wrong even after careful hiring. L&I's hiring guide links to the details. Check there to see if you're eligible.

How many bids should I get before replacing a system in Washington?

L&I suggests getting at least 3 written bids and comparing them carefully. Ask each contractor for a written contract you understand. If a bid only says "replace," ask whether a repair is possible and what it would cost.