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.