Forsyth County · Climate zone 4A · Duke Energy Carolinas
HVAC Contractors in Winston-Salem, NC
22 RECORDS · 22 LICENSE-VERIFIED · REGISTER AUDITED AUG 23, 2026
22 of the 22 HVAC contractors we list in Winston-Salem hold a North Carolina heating and cooling license we checked against the state board. Winston-Salem shares the Piedmont Triad's 3A/4A borderline climate: humid summers that run May into September, and winters with enough nights in the 20s that auxiliary heat settings and dual-fuel setups genuinely matter. The housing stock ranges from early-1900s neighborhoods around the old tobacco district — where ductwork and crawlspace moisture cause as many problems as the equipment — to newer construction out toward Clemmons and Lewisville.
Verified HVAC contractors in Winston-Salem
Featured entries are paid placements (max 3 per city) and are labelled. Order within each status is by review count. Every entry shows the license status we found and when we checked it. How this list works.
Jay's Heating, Air & Plumbing
We checked this contractor's license against the NC State Board. Is this your business? Claim this record — it's free.
Advanced Appliance Service
We checked this contractor's license against the NC State Board. Is this your business? Claim this record — it's free.
Aspire Heating & Cooling
We checked this contractor's license against the NC State Board. Is this your business? Claim this record — it's free.
A/C Rescue, LLC
We checked this contractor's license against the NC State Board. Is this your business? Claim this record — it's free.
All-Phase Heating & Cooling
We checked this contractor's license against the NC State Board. Is this your business? Claim this record — it's free.
Dinomite Heating and Cooling
We checked this contractor's license against the NC State Board. Is this your business? Claim this record — it's free.
All Year
We checked this contractor's license against the NC State Board. Is this your business? Claim this record — it's free.
Comfort Control Systems NC
We checked this contractor's license against the NC State Board. Is this your business? Claim this record — it's free.
Blown Away HVAC
We checked this contractor's license against the NC State Board. Is this your business? Claim this record — it's free.
Topline Comfort Solutions Inc.
We checked this contractor's license against the NC State Board. Is this your business? Claim this record — it's free.
Serving Winston-Salem from a nearby town? Contractors based in Kernersville, Clemmons appear on this page.
What HVAC work costs in Winston-Salem
| Job | Typical installed / out-the-door range |
|---|---|
| AC replacement (2–3 ton, SEER2 14.3–16) | $6,200 – $11,500 |
| Heat pump replacement (ducted, 2–3 ton) | $7,200 – $13,000 |
| AC repair (typical diagnostic + part) | $170 – $850 |
| Seasonal tune-up | $85 – $179 |
Ranges reflect Piedmont Triad quotes and published local pricing; last reviewed August 2026. Your quote should include a Manual J load calculation. See the statewide breakdowns: AC replacement cost in NC, heat pump installation cost in NC, AC repair cost by problem.
Licensing and permits in Forsyth County
Residential heating and cooling work in North Carolina requires a contractor licensed by the State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors; the class on the license (H-1, H-2 or H-3, Class I or II) tells you what the contractor may install. What the classes mean.
HVAC replacements in Winston-Salem are permitted and inspected through the City-County Inspections Division (Planning and Development Services), which serves Winston-Salem and Forsyth County — with the exception of addresses inside High Point, Kernersville or King city limits, which run their own inspections. The contractor pulls the mechanical permit; licensed contractors file through the BuildIT portal. When a permit is required in NC.
Full local reference: HVAC permits, utilities and climate in Forsyth County.
Climate and common HVAC problems in Winston-Salem
Cooling season runs May through September with high humidity; January lows regularly hit the 20s, when heat pumps lean on strip heat. Common calls mirror the rest of the Triad: furnaces short-cycling on the first cold snap, AC not keeping up on the first hot week, iced refrigerant lines, and winter bills traced to auxiliary heat or leaky ducts in older crawlspaces.
Related: AC not cooling · aux heat stuck on · humidity control in NC homes · why climate zone changes what to buy.
Rebates for Winston-Salem residents
Winston-Salem homes are served by Duke Energy Carolinas, with Piedmont Natural Gas serving many gas-heated homes; both run residential rebate programs, and Duke's heat-pump rebates require a Home Energy Check before installation. North Carolina's income-tiered home energy rebates apply statewide on top. How the incentives stack.
How to choose an HVAC contractor in Winston-Salem
Check the license number on this page against the state board record. Get three written quotes for any replacement and make sure each includes a load calculation, equipment model numbers, and who pulls the permit. Compare warranties on labor, not just parts. Ask what happens if the system is oversized. And prefer contractors who put the diagnosis in writing before quoting a repair.
Full guides: questions to ask · how to compare quotes · red flags.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check whether a Winston-Salem HVAC contractor is licensed?
Search the business in the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors license lookup. Every provider on this page shows the license number and status we found, and the date we checked it.
Do I need a permit to replace my AC or heat pump in Winston-Salem?
Yes. Equipment replacements require a mechanical permit and inspection through the Winston-Salem/Forsyth County City-County Inspections Division. Your contractor pulls the permit — ask for the permit number. Kernersville and King addresses go through their own town inspections instead.
What does AC replacement cost in Winston-Salem?
Most 2–3 ton replacements land between $6,200 – $11,500 installed, depending on efficiency tier, ductwork condition and brand.
Heat pump or gas furnace for a Winston-Salem home?
For most homes a heat pump is the default: it handles both seasons and qualifies for rebates a furnace doesn't. Homes with existing Piedmont Natural Gas service often do well with dual-fuel — a heat pump paired with the furnace for the coldest nights.
Which suburbs does this Winston-Salem page cover?
Kernersville, Clemmons, Lewisville, Advance and nearby Forsyth and Davie County communities fold into the Winston-Salem hub until they reach three license-verified contractors of their own.