Heating and Cooling in Ames, Iowa
Ames, in Story County, is home to Iowa State University and a lot of older housing stock. Here is what Ames homeowners should know before a heating or cooling project.
HVAC permits in Ames
The City of Ames' Permitting and Inspections page says permits are required for most mechanical and gas work. Exceptions include portable heating and cooling appliances and replacing a minor part that doesn't change the equipment's approval or make it unsafe. It says mechanical contractors must be licensed by Iowa DIAL and carry general liability insurance of at least $500,000. Ames also lets homeowners apply for permits on their own primary residence (not registered rentals), but work on rental properties must be done by a licensed contractor. Inspections are requested at 515-239-5153 or inspections@cityofames.org.
Permit rules change, so treat this as a starting point and confirm with the city. The Iowa Attorney General advises caution if a contractor avoids talking about permits or inspections.
Check an HVAC contractor's Iowa license
Iowa's Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL) says Iowa law requires plumbing and mechanical contractors, including HVAC and refrigeration contractors, to be licensed with the Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board and registered with DIAL. Board contractor requirements include at least $500,000 in public liability insurance and a $5,000 surety bond. DIAL's contractor license page links to a public portal for verifying licenses, and you can check registration in the state contractor registration search. See our guide to choosing an HVAC company.
Winter safety in Ames
Ames is served by the NWS Des Moines office of the National Weather Service, which issues local winter storm and cold warnings. Before the cold sets in:
- Book a fall furnace check-up. The CDC recommends yearly service of heating systems by a qualified technician, and ENERGY STAR suggests heating check-ups in the fall.
- Test carbon monoxide alarms. The CDC recommends battery or battery back-up CO detectors near every sleeping area.
- Keep vents clear after snow. Alliant Energy warns snow can block appliance exhaust vents and says to clear them gently by hand or with a broom.
- Smell gas or hear a CO alarm? Leave the home first, then call your gas utility's emergency line and 911 from a safe place.
No heat right now? Start with our safe no-heat checklist.
Utility discounts
Depending on your address, your gas or electric service may come from MidAmerican Energy, Alliant Energy, a municipal utility or a co-op. Check your bill. MidAmerican and Alliant both offer instant discounts on qualifying furnaces, central AC and heat pumps through participating contractors. Terms change, so see our rebates guide and the utility's own page.
Heating and cooling guides for Ames homeowners
- Hiring an HVAC proHow to Choose an HVAC Company in IowaHiring a furnace or AC contractor in Iowa? Check state registration and HVAC licensing, compare estimates, and spot red flags the Iowa AG warns about.Read guide →
- No heat and safetyFurnace Not Working? A Safe No-Heat Checklist for Iowa HomesFurnace quit on a cold Iowa night? Safe checks you can do yourself, CO and gas-smell warnings from the CDC and utilities, and when to call a pro.Read guide →
- Furnace replacementFurnace Replacement in Des Moines: Permits, Sizing and EfficiencyReplacing a furnace in Des Moines? What the city code says about permits and licenses, Manual J sizing, AFUE, ENERGY STAR and questions to ask.Read guide →
- Heat pumpsHeat Pumps in Iowa Cold Weather: What the Federal Guidance SaysCan a heat pump heat an Iowa home at 5°F? What the DOE and ENERGY STAR say about cold-climate heat pumps, dual fuel, backup heat and sizing.Read guide →
- Rebates and savingsIowa HVAC Rebates: How MidAmerican and Alliant Instant Discounts WorkHow MidAmerican and Alliant instant discounts work for furnaces, heat pumps and central AC in Iowa, who qualifies, and how to check current terms.Read guide →
Heating & cooling companies that serve Ames
Aspen Aire
localCentral Iowa heating and cooling company offering furnace and heat pump installation and repair, air conditioning, geothermal, indoor air quality and 24/7 emergency service.
- Furnaces & heating
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps
- Ductwork
- Maintenance plans
- Geothermal
- Indoor air quality
Service area (their words): Has service-area pages for Waukee, West Des Moines, Urbandale, Ames, Des Moines and Ankeny; says it has served Dallas County customers since 2006.
Iowa contractor registration found (C132331, checked 2026-10-22)
How we checked
DIAL Active Iowa Construction Contractor Registrations open data (data.iowa.gov dataset 1052, data updated 2026-10-19), searched 2026-10-22: active record C132331, ASPEN AIRE INC, Ankeny, IA (Plumbing/Heating & A/C Contractors), expires 2029-06-30.
Listing source: https://aspenaireinc.com/, https://aspenaireinc.com/hvac-company-waukee-ia/, https://aspenaireinc.com/hvac-company-west-des-moines-ia/, https://aspenaireinc.com/hvac-company-urbandale-ia/, https://aspenaireinc.com/hvac-company-ames-ia/ (checked 2026-10-22).
Family-owned Ames heating and cooling company offering furnace repair, installation and maintenance, air conditioning, a maintenance plan and 24/7 emergency service.
- Furnaces & heating
- Air conditioning
- Ductwork
- Maintenance plans
- Indoor air quality
Service area (their words): Lists its location as Ames and says it serves Central Iowa, naming Ames, Ankeny, Boone, Des Moines, Huxley, Jewell, Ogden, Nevada, Story City and Zearing.
Registration not confirmed by us (checked 2026-10-22)
How we checked
DIAL Active Iowa Construction Contractor Registrations open data (data.iowa.gov dataset 1052, data updated 2026-10-19), searched 2026-10-22: An active Plumbing/Heating & A/C registration named BEELINE HEATING AND COOLING (C149751) exists, but it lists a Waukee address while the site lists Ames, so we could not confirm it is the same business.
Listing source: https://www.beelineheatingandcooling.com/ (checked 2026-10-22).
2700 Graham Street, Ames, IA 50010
Ames heating and cooling company offering furnace repair, air conditioning, heat pumps, boilers and indoor air quality services.
- Furnaces & heating
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps
- Boilers
- Ductwork
- Maintenance plans
- Indoor air quality
Service area (their words): Ames-based; says it was founded in 1986.
Registration not confirmed by us (checked 2026-10-22)
How we checked
DIAL Active Iowa Construction Contractor Registrations open data (data.iowa.gov dataset 1052, data updated 2026-10-19), searched 2026-10-22: No registration under the name Neighbors. The phone number on the site matches an active Plumbing/Heating & A/C registration under a different legal name (MB ENTERPRISES OF AMES, C130091), but we could not confirm they are the same business.
Listing source: https://www.neighborscomfort.com/, https://www.neighborscomfort.com/furnace-repair (checked 2026-10-22).
409 S Bell Ave, Ames, IA 50010
Locally operated Ames office of a national heating and cooling franchise, offering furnace, AC and heat pump repair and installation and 24/7 emergency service.
- Furnaces & heating
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps
- Boilers
- Ductwork
- Maintenance plans
- Geothermal
- Indoor air quality
Service area (their words): Local franchise office in Ames; its page names Ames and Ankeny.
Iowa contractor registration found (C130016, checked 2026-10-22)
How we checked
DIAL Active Iowa Construction Contractor Registrations open data (data.iowa.gov dataset 1052, data updated 2026-10-19), searched 2026-10-22: active record C130016, BETH & KELLY INC DBA BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING DBA ONE HOUR HEATING & COOLING, Ames, IA (Plumbing/Heating & A/C Contractors), expires 2029-06-30. Registered as BETH & KELLY INC DBA BENJAMIN FRANKLIN PLUMBING DBA ONE HOUR HEATING & COOLING (Ames); the page shows license 50515-CL.
Listing source: https://www.onehourheatandair.com/ames/ (checked 2026-10-22).
See all 35 listed companies by town →
Listings are informational, not endorsements or rankings, and no company paid to be listed. Details come from each company’s own website. Registration status comes from the State of Iowa’s active contractor registration list on the date shown; always search Iowa contractor registration yourself before hiring. Companies can request a correction or removal.
Nearby towns we cover
Sources
- Permitting and Inspections - City of Ames (checked 2026-10-22)
- NWS Des Moines forecast office - National Weather Service (checked 2026-10-22)
- Contractor License - Iowa Plumbing & Mechanical Systems Board (Iowa DIAL) (checked 2026-10-22)
- Contractor Registration - Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals, and Licensing (checked 2026-10-22)
- Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Basics - U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (checked 2026-10-22)
- Maintenance Checklist - ENERGY STAR (U.S. EPA) (checked 2026-10-22)
- Home Discounts and Rebates - MidAmerican Energy (checked 2026-10-22)
- Instant Discounts program (Iowa) - Alliant Energy (checked 2026-10-22)
- Natural Gas Safety - Alliant Energy (checked 2026-10-22)
We link to the original sources so you can read them yourself. Brand or company names are not endorsements.