Braced
Menu

Heating and cooling emergencies in Boulder

Heating contractors and plumbers for breakdowns.

19 pros in Boulder

Boulder sits at the base of the Front Range foothills, where on December 30, 2021 wind gusts of 70 to 100 mph fanned the Marshall Fire toward Superior and parts of Louisville. Heating and cooling here is a matter of local rules as much as weather. The City of Boulder lists mechanical permits for furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces, and exempts things like portable equipment and replacing a part that does not change an appliance's approval or listing or make it unsafe. If a system is replaced with a different type, the city's residential permit guide asks for ACCA-approved documentation showing proper equipment sizing, though simple furnace or boiler replacements are not included. Before you hire for an emergency, ask whether the job needs a mechanical permit, who will pull it, and whether sizing paperwork applies. Ask for the scope in writing, even on a cold night, and keep a copy of any permit for your records.

Show

Not yet verified. We checked that each one’s own website offers this work, but we haven’t contacted them yet. How a business gets listed

Know a good one we’re missing? Suggest one

What to know in Boulder

Before you hire

  1. Have fuel-burning appliances such as a furnace or boiler inspected by a professional at least once a year.

    Source: canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  2. Get written quotes from at least three contractors for the same work, and check references from recent clients.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

  3. Put it in a written contract: the work, price, deposit, start and finish dates, warranty, permits and clean-up. Paying cash to skip it leaves you no recourse.

    Source: ised-isde.canada.ca (source, opens in a new tab)

Questions about hiring in Boulder

Does a furnace repair in Boulder need a permit?

It depends on the work. The City of Boulder lists mechanical permits for furnaces, water heaters and fireplaces, but exempts replacing a part that does not alter the appliance's approval or listing or make it unsafe. Ask the contractor which category your job falls in and who handles any permit. City of Boulder (source, opens in a new tab)

When do I need sizing documentation for new equipment?

Boulder's residential permit guide asks for ACCA-approved documentation showing proper equipment sizing when a system is replaced with a different type. It says this does not include simple furnace or boiler replacements. Ask your contractor which case applies to your job and who will supply the paperwork. City of Boulder (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a quote for an emergency repair include?

Ask for the diagnosed fault, the parts and labour involved, any permit work, the warranty on the repair, and the timing. If the contractor suggests replacing the whole system instead, ask for the reasons in writing so you can compare it with a second opinion.

How can I compare quotes when my heat is out?

Ask each company the same questions: what is the cause, what is included, what is excluded, and whether a permit is needed. Compare the written scopes line by line rather than just the totals, and check that each company holds the licence your local rules require.

Other jobs and cities

Other jobs in Boulder

Heating and cooling emergencies in other cities