Heating and Cooling in Iowa City, Iowa
Iowa City, in Johnson County, has many older homes and several historic districts. Here is what Iowa City homeowners should know before a furnace, AC or heat pump project.
HVAC permits in Iowa City
Iowa City's Permit Information and Fees page says that when trade work is done at a house without a related building permit, separate mechanical, electrical and plumbing permits are required. It also says mechanical contractors must be licensed with the State and identified on the application before a permit is issued. The city adds that the owner is ultimately responsible for making sure required permits are issued, even if a contract assigns that to the contractor. Applications go through the city's Customer Self Service (CSS) portal. Building Inspection Services: 319-356-5120.
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 Iowa City
Iowa City is served by the NWS Quad Cities 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 Iowa City 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 →
- 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 Iowa City
2325 Heinz Rd., Iowa City, IA 52240
Iowa City heating and air conditioning company offering furnace repair and replacement, air conditioning, geothermal and maintenance.
- Furnaces & heating
- Air conditioning
- Maintenance plans
- Geothermal
- Indoor air quality
Service area (their words): Iowa City-based; says it has served customers since 1953.
Iowa contractor registration found (C130030, 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 C130030, BRANDT HEATING & A/C, Iowa City, IA (Plumbing/Heating & A/C Contractors), expires 2029-06-30. Registered as BRANDT HEATING & A/C.
Listing source: https://brandtheating.com/, https://brandtheating.com/heating-cooling/ (checked 2026-10-22).
1154 Capital Drive S.W., Suite A, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Cedar Rapids heating and cooling company offering furnace and air conditioning repair and installation, heat pumps and indoor air quality.
- Furnaces & heating
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps
- Indoor air quality
Service area (their words): Says it serves the greater Cedar Rapids area: Cedar Rapids, Coralville, Iowa City, Marion and North Liberty.
Iowa contractor registration found (C148583, 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 C148583, COMFORT PRO LLC, Marion, IA (Plumbing/Heating & A/C Contractors), expires 2029-06-30. Registered as COMFORT PRO LLC (Marion); the phone number on the site matches the registration record.
Listing source: https://www.crcomfortpro.com/ (checked 2026-10-22).
Custom Climates
local3305 Hwy 1 SW #9A, Iowa City, IA 52240
Iowa City heating and cooling company offering furnace and air conditioner repair and service, heat pumps, boilers and geothermal.
- Furnaces & heating
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps
- Boilers
- Ductwork
- Geothermal
- Indoor air quality
Service area (their words): Iowa City-based; its site names Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty.
Iowa contractor registration found (C130649, 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 C130649, CUSTOM CLIMATES LLC, Iowa City, IA (Plumbing/Heating & A/C Contractors), expires 2029-06-30. Registered as CUSTOM CLIMATES LLC.
Listing source: https://www.customclimatesia.com/ (checked 2026-10-22).
Iltens Inc
local919 14th Ave SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Cedar Rapids heating and cooling company offering furnace and AC repair and installation, heat pumps, boilers and maintenance across Linn and Johnson counties.
- Furnaces & heating
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps
- Boilers
- Ductwork
- Maintenance plans
- Indoor air quality
Service area (their words): Says it has served heating and cooling needs since 1892; areas listed include Cedar Rapids, Marion, Hiawatha, Iowa City, Coralville and North Liberty.
Iowa contractor registration found (C130543, 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 C130543, ILTEN'S INC, Cedar Rapids, IA (Plumbing/Heating & A/C Contractors), expires 2029-06-30. Registered as ILTEN'S INC.
Listing source: https://www.iltens.com/, https://www.iltens.com/locations/cedar-rapids/furnace-repair-cedar-rapids/ (checked 2026-10-22).
4407 F St, Amana, IA 52203
Family-owned Eastern Iowa plumbing, heating, electric and AC company offering furnace repair and installation, air conditioning, heat pumps and 24/7 emergency service.
- Furnaces & heating
- Air conditioning
- Heat pumps
- Boilers
- Maintenance plans
- Indoor air quality
Service area (their words): Says it has served Eastern Iowa since 1950; service areas listed include Coralville, Iowa City, North Liberty, Amana, Cedar Rapids, Tiffin, Solon and Marion.
Iowa contractor registration found (C130722, 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 C130722, OEHL PLUMBING & HEATING INC, Amana, IA (Plumbing/Heating & A/C Contractors), expires 2029-06-30. Registered as OEHL PLUMBING & HEATING INC (Amana).
Listing source: https://www.oehlplumbing.com/, https://www.oehlplumbing.com/service-areas/coralville (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
- Permit Information and Fees - City of Iowa City (checked 2026-10-22)
- NWS Quad Cities 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.