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Quick facts
- AreaMadison
- StateWI
- Providers18
- Climate zone6A-Cold-Humid
- Heating degree days7,600
- Recommended systemgas dominant
Why HVAC matters in Madison
Madison sits in IECC climate zone 6A-Cold-Humid with average January temperatures of 17°F and July highs around 70°F. With 7,600 heating degree days, a reliable heating system is essential for comfort and safety.
WI (Dane County) falls in IECC 6A-Cold-Humid. HDD 7600 / CDD 500 per NOAA 1991–2020 state averages drive a gas dominant HVAC strategy. Climate data is zone-level; consult a contractor for site-specific load calcs.
About Madison HVAC
18 HVAC providers in Madison give homeowners real choice without overwhelming the shortlist. Expect quotes within 3–5 business days. Homeowners in Madison typically schedule maintenance in spring and fall to get ahead of peak-season wait times.
Madison's climate keeps heating and cooling loads balanced enough that most homeowners run a single heat pump or packaged system rather than a split setup. Properly sized equipment matched to Madison's load profile runs quieter, lasts longer, and avoids the short-cycling that kills cheap installs. Focus on Energy (Statewide)'s Focus on Energy Heat Pump Rebate currently offers up to $2,500 toward a qualifying system, which meaningfully shifts the cost-of-ownership math.
Top local providers
Request quotes →- installationrepairinspectionemergency
What customers say “My review is about Mike who works for Cardinal. Mike had just finished up with a customer in our neighborhood and was…”
- installationrepairinspectionemergency
What customers say “My furnace recently went out when it was negative temps outside. I worked with Kettle Moraine and they were…”
- All Comfort ServicesTop ratedinstallationrepairinspectionemergency
What customers say “We have used All Comfort Services since we purchased our home in 2014. The maintenance and service provided were…”
- installationrepairemergency
What customers say “The service technician who came braved extremely snowy conditions to make sure we got our heat back on. He was…”
- Harker Heating & CoolingTop rated
What customers say “Our gas fireplace was turning off randomly after 20 years of being neglected and I assumed we would need to spend a few…”
- installationrepairinspectionemergency
What customers say “I will recommend Rodney’s service for his professional skills, expertise and friendliness. He was able to narrow our…”
- Pharo Heating & Cooling, Inc.Top rated
What customers say “[Summer 2025 Review] So, two weeks ago our AC stopped cooling during the heat wave we had. After a long and hot weekend…”
- Aire Serv of MadisonTop rated
What customers say “Our furnace stopped heating on Saturday of the coldest weekend in December. Gabe came out quickly and found the heat…”
- Brothers HVAC, LLCTop rated
What customers say “My 20 y.o. a/c ran out of life 1 week before company arriving for July 4th week and during our heat spell. My unit was…”
What customers say “Our experience with TradeWinds Heating, and Air was nothing but positive! From the first phone call to the completion…”
- Shackelford Heating & CoolingTop rated
What customers say “My 20 year old Carrier was starting to struggle, so luckily I had just read a recent 5 star review about Shackelford…”
What customers say “For a long time I assumed that we couldn't afford one of the "big name" HVAC companies in the area. I was…”
- Southport Home ServicesTop ratedinstallationrepairemergency
What customers say “Jacob and Ryan were a great team. They kept me informed with details on all the work they completed throughout the…”
- Dale's Heating & AirTop rated
What customers say “Our service need was weekend emergency furnace repair. Brian at Dale's Heating and Air is amazing. This was the 4th…”
What customers say “We've had Fowler work on our boiler, and now they're installing A/C in our very cramped, hot attic. Jay and Troy(and…”
What Madison homeowners say
“My 20 year old Carrier was starting to struggle, so luckily I had just read a recent 5 star review about Shackelford and thought why not get one more quote. They totally lived up to all their excellent reviews. Mike showed up the same day I called t…”
“For a long time I assumed that we couldn't afford one of the "big name" HVAC companies in the area. I was wrong. Bethke was the original installer of the furnace and A/C in the house we bought, so their stickers were all over our equipment. Instead …”
“My furnace recently went out when it was negative temps outside. I worked with Kettle Moraine and they were exceptionally awesome to work with. They were quick to have my entire furnace replaced. The crew as well as upper management were amazing. I w…”
Local pricing snapshot
Repairs typically run $150–$600. Full system replacements range from $4k for a basic furnace to $12k+ for a premium heat pump. Prices vary by system type, efficiency, and whether ductwork modifications are needed.
Available rebates in Madison
- Focus on Energy (Statewide): Focus on Energy Heat Pump Rebate — $500–$2,500 for heat pump
- Focus on Energy (Statewide): Focus on Energy Smart Thermostat Rebate — $50–$100 for thermostat
- Alliant Energy Wisconsin (WPL): Alliant Energy WI Heat Pump Rebate (via Focus on Energy) — $500–$2,500 for heat pump
Federal tax credits (up to $2,000 for heat pumps) can stack with utility rebates. See full cost breakdown →
Nearby service areas
Wisconsin hub →Explore more Wisconsin markets from the state hub.
Popular comparisons in Madison
- Cardinal Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric vs Kettle Moraine Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC4.9★ vs 4.9★
- Cardinal Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric vs All Comfort Services4.9★ vs 4.8★
- Kettle Moraine Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC vs All Comfort Services4.9★ vs 4.8★
- Kettle Moraine Heating & Air Conditioning, LLC vs Dave Jones - Plumbing, HVAC, Fire Protection, Electrical4.9★ vs 4.9★
- All Comfort Services vs Dave Jones - Plumbing, HVAC, Fire Protection, Electrical4.8★ vs 4.9★
- All Comfort Services vs Harker Heating & Cooling4.8★ vs 4.9★
Related research
Frequently Asked Questions
What HVAC rebates are available in Madison?
Madison homeowners can stack multiple incentives: Focus on Energy (Statewide) offers up to $2,500 for heat pump installations. Add the federal 25C tax credit ($2,000), and total savings can reach $4,500+. Ask your installer to itemize which rebates apply to your specific project.
How much does HVAC work cost in Madison?
In Madison, typical costs range from $150-$600 for repairs, $4,000-$8,000 for a standard furnace or AC replacement, and $6,000-$14,000 for a heat pump system. After available rebates, heat pump installations often net out to $4,000-$9,000. Get 2-3 written quotes to compare — prices vary significantly between contractors.
How do I verify a HVAC contractor is licensed in Wisconsin?
Wisconsin does not issue a dedicated statewide HVAC contractor license — any contractor doing residential work over $1,000 must hold a Dwelling Contractor certification (business) plus a Dwelling Contractor Qualifier (individual) credential from the Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS). Gas-fired equipment also requires the installer to hold an HVAC Qualifier and, for plumbing/gas, a Master Plumber or Plumbing-Restricted Service credential. Milwaukee, Madison, and Green Bay each require local mechanical licensing as well. Verify at licensesearch.wi.gov.
Licensing verified weekly. Reviews refreshed within the last 30 days.
Licensing data: Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services (DSPS) — Dwelling Contractor certification (plus municipal HVAC licensing) · Company data: verified business records + Google Business profile
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