Atlanta’s heating season is shorter and less severe than most northern cities, but the mild winters can be deceptive: temperatures regularly drop below freezing from December through February, and the city’s occasional ice storms can stress heating systems that have been underutilized for months. Because Atlanta homes often rely on heat pumps rather than traditional gas furnaces — the moderate climate makes heat pump efficiency economics favorable — heating contractors in the area need expertise across multiple system types including gas furnaces, electric furnaces, heat pump systems, and dual-fuel configurations. The metro area’s rapid growth has also produced a large stock of homes with older HVAC equipment installed during the construction boom of the 1990s and early 2000s, much of which is now approaching or past its expected service life and requiring replacement. Atlanta’s high summer humidity also means that the same equipment handling heating in winter is working hard as a cooling and dehumidification system for seven or eight months of the year, accelerating wear on components and making regular preventive maintenance more important than in climates with more moderate summers.
When selecting a heating contractor in Atlanta, confirm that technicians hold EPA Section 608 certification for refrigerant handling (required by federal law) and that the company carries both general liability insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. Ask whether the company services your specific equipment brand and whether they are authorized dealers for major manufacturers such as Carrier, Trane, Lennox, or Goodman, as manufacturer authorization gives technicians access to proprietary training and genuine OEM parts. A heating contractor that offers service agreements or maintenance plans is worth considering, since semi-annual tune-ups catch developing problems before they become emergency failures during the coldest nights of the Atlanta winter. Red flags include contractors who cannot provide written estimates before starting work, who recommend full system replacement without completing a thorough diagnostic process, or who cannot explain their proposed solution in plain language.
Top Heating Contractor Companies in Atlanta
1. PV Heating, Cooling & Plumbing
Founded: 2008
Address: 3605 Clearview Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30340
Phone: (404) 798-9672
Website: https://www.pvhvac.com
Hours: Monday through Sunday, 7:00 AM to 8:30 PM
Leadership: David Peavey, Jason Peavey, and Joe Peavey (co-founders)
Services:
- Heating system repair and replacement
- Heat pump installation and service
- Air conditioning repair and installation
- Plumbing services
- Air duct cleaning
- Indoor air quality solutions
- HVAC maintenance plans
About: Founded in 2008 by three Atlanta-native brothers — David, Jason, and Joe Peavey — PV Heating, Cooling and Plumbing was built on a commitment to honest advice, quality workmanship, and an engineering-driven service approach that differentiates them from contractors who rely on high-pressure sales tactics. The company has grown to serve thousands of Atlanta-area families and accumulated over 3,000 five-star Google reviews, with a 99% customer recommendation rate reflecting consistently positive experiences across a high volume of service calls. Technicians complete over 125 hours of annual training, combining hands-on field experience with technical and engineering education to support the diagnostic accuracy that PV’s reputation rests on. Their service extends seven days a week with extended hours, making them accessible for the heating emergencies that inevitably occur outside of standard business hours.
2. Shumate Mechanical
Founded: 1978
Address: 2805 Premiere Parkway, Duluth, GA 30097
Phone: (678) 584-0880
Website: https://www.shumatemechanical.com
Services:
- Commercial HVAC design and installation
- Commercial heating and cooling system service and maintenance
- Chiller, boiler, and heat pump systems
- Air handling unit installation and repair
- Cooling tower service
- Building automation systems
- Process piping
- Equipment replacement
About: Founded in 1978 by Harold Shumate in a 3,000-square-foot Stone Mountain office, Shumate Mechanical has grown over four and a half decades into one of the largest privately held mechanical contracting and service firms in the southeastern United States. The company’s commercial HVAC expertise spans system design and installation, ongoing service and maintenance contracts, complex mechanical systems including chillers and boilers, and building automation — giving commercial clients a single partner for the full lifecycle of their mechanical systems. Shumate’s service territory covers the full Atlanta metro region plus outlying markets, supported by a substantial fleet of service vehicles and a team that has grown significantly from the company’s modest origins. Their long operating history and scale make them a go-to resource for commercial property owners and facility managers across the region.
3. Degree of Comfort
Phone: (770) 953-4822
Website: https://www.degreeofcomfort.com
Services:
- Heating and furnace installation, repair, and maintenance
- Air conditioning installation and repair
- Heat pump service and installation
- Indoor air quality systems
- Zoning systems
- HVAC maintenance agreements
About: Degree of Comfort is a family-owned and operated HVAC contractor serving the Atlanta area for over 30 years, building a customer base across residential clients who value consistent relationships with a contractor they know and trust. The company is BBB accredited and services all major equipment brands, with specialization in Mitsubishi, Carrier, Lennox, and Trane systems. Their longevity in the Atlanta market reflects the kind of sustained customer satisfaction that generates referrals and repeat engagement, particularly important in a service business where trust is the primary differentiator. Degree of Comfort’s combination of multi-decade experience, manufacturer brand expertise, and family-business accountability makes them a strong choice for Atlanta homeowners who prefer working with an established local contractor rather than a large regional chain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I know if my Atlanta home’s heating system needs repair or replacement?
A: Age is one of the most reliable indicators: most furnaces and heat pumps have expected service lives of 15 to 20 years, and systems approaching or past that age are increasingly likely to require expensive repairs that approach the cost of replacement. Signs that repair or replacement may be needed include unusual noises during operation, inconsistent temperatures across different areas of the home, significantly higher utility bills without a change in usage patterns, and an increase in the frequency of service calls. A diagnostic evaluation from a qualified HVAC technician is the most reliable way to assess whether repair is economically viable for an older system or whether replacement is the more prudent investment.
Q: How much does heating system installation or replacement cost in Atlanta?
A: Heating system replacement costs in Atlanta depend heavily on system type and size. A gas furnace replacement for a standard Atlanta home typically ranges from $3,000 to $7,000 installed, while a heat pump system — the more common choice in the Atlanta climate — generally runs from $4,000 to $10,000 or more depending on equipment efficiency rating and installation complexity. Dual-fuel hybrid systems, which pair a heat pump with a gas furnace for maximum efficiency across the full range of Atlanta’s weather, tend to fall at the higher end of that range. Energy efficiency rebates from Georgia Power or equipment manufacturers can offset some of the cost and are worth asking about when getting estimates.
Q: How often should I have my heating system serviced in Atlanta?
A: Annual preventive maintenance is the standard recommendation for heating systems in Atlanta, ideally scheduled in the fall before the heating season begins. For homes with heat pump systems that run year-round for both heating and cooling, twice-annual maintenance — once in spring for the cooling season and once in fall for the heating season — is the better practice. During a maintenance visit, technicians typically clean the heat exchanger or coils, inspect the burners or heating elements, check refrigerant charge, verify electrical connections, lubricate moving parts, and test safety controls, all of which help extend equipment life and maintain efficiency.
Conclusion
Atlanta homeowners and businesses have access to heating contractors with deep experience in the specific system types and climate demands of the metro area. PV Heating, Cooling and Plumbing brings a family-owned commitment to honest service and over 3,000 verified five-star reviews from Atlanta-area customers. Shumate Mechanical has been serving the Atlanta commercial market since 1978, growing into one of the Southeast’s largest mechanical contracting firms. Degree of Comfort provides over 30 years of family-owned residential service with BBB accreditation and multi-brand expertise. Contact any of these companies to discuss your Atlanta heating needs.