Heating and cooling emergencies in Spokane

Heating contractors and plumbers for breakdowns.

44 pros in Spokane

Spokane's winters can be severe enough to break records: during the January 2024 cold outbreak, Spokane Airport set a record daily low of -7°F, according to the Office of the Washington State Climatologist. A furnace or heat pump that fails in that kind of cold is an emergency, and frozen pipes can follow quickly. When you hire for heating or cooling work in Spokane, ask who will pull the permit. The City of Spokane's mechanical permit application says ductwork is already included in the fees for installing or replacing air conditioners and furnaces, and it only needs to be added when existing duct systems are altered. So a quote that lists a separate duct permit for a straight replacement is worth questioning. Also check registration: Washington L&I says construction contractors must be registered, and it describes an application for contractor registration with notarized signatures. Ask for the contractor's registration details in writing before work begins, and keep the permit paperwork once the job is done.

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What to know in Spokane

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 Spokane

Does a furnace or air conditioner replacement in Spokane need a permit?

The City of Spokane has a mechanical permit application for installing or replacing air conditioners and furnaces. Ask your contractor who will apply for it and whether it is listed in the quote. Keep a copy of the permit once it is issued, since it records the work done. City of Spokane Development Services Center (source, opens in a new tab)

Do I need to pay extra for ductwork on the permit?

Not for a straightforward replacement. The City of Spokane says ductwork involved in installing or replacing air conditioners and furnaces is already included in the appliance fees. Ductwork is added to the application only when existing duct systems are altered, so ask your contractor to explain any duct line. City of Spokane Development Services Center (source, opens in a new tab)

Who is allowed to do heating and cooling repair work in Washington?

Washington L&I states that construction contractors must be registered. Registration involves an application with notarized signatures. Before you agree to work, ask the contractor for their registration details in writing and check them with L&I yourself, rather than relying on a verbal assurance. Washington State Department of Labor & Industries (source, opens in a new tab)

What should a quote for an emergency repair include?

Ask for a written quote that names the equipment, describes the work and the parts, states who handles any permit, and gives the contractor's registration details. For a no-heat emergency, also ask about timing and what happens if more work is found once the unit is opened.