When you call about a heating or cooling problem, you want a straight answer about what is likely going on and what it will take to fix it. That is how Alternative Home Heating Co handles every call from Irondequoit. Whether you are a homeowner dealing with a furnace that stopped working overnight, a landlord managing a rental that lost heat mid-winter, or a property manager with a building full of tenants waiting on AC, we tell you what the system probably needs and what happens next before anything is scheduled.
We cover the full range of residential and commercial HVAC work in Irondequoit: furnace and heating repair, air conditioner service, heat pump installation and repair, ductwork, thermostats and smart controls, indoor air quality, seasonal maintenance, and full system replacement. Work is performed by qualified HVAC technicians, and every visit starts with an honest assessment of what we found.
When a property in Irondequoit has no heat or no cooling, that call goes to the front of the line. Same-day appointments are often available for urgent situations, and we are available every day from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. If you call during those hours, we work to get someone out as soon as possible.
Scheduling works the same way whether the property is occupied by tenants who cannot vacate for the day or a business that has to stay open. You get a confirmed appointment window before the visit, and the technician shows up ready to work rather than ready to assess whether the job is worth doing. For rental properties, we coordinate around tenant access so you are not the one managing the back-and-forth.
We're ready to get your heating and cooling running again.
When you call, you get a rate on the phone based on what you describe. The price is confirmed before the visit is scheduled, and you are told what it covers. What moves a quote is straightforward: what the fault turns out to be once a technician has eyes on it, what has to be reached to get to it, and whether a repair or a replacement is the more practical answer given the age and condition of the equipment.
For a repair call, the diagnostic shapes the cost. For a full system replacement, the scope is confirmed before installation begins. Either way, pricing is explained up front so there are no figures that come as a surprise when the job is done. Ask what the estimate covers and you get a straight answer. The service page carries the full breakdown of what each type of job involves.
A heat pump that is not heating, not cooling, or running without reaching the set temperature usually has a diagnosable cause. Defrost faults are common in cold-region climates: the outdoor unit ices over and the system either locks out or runs continuously without producing useful heat. We check the defrost board, the refrigerant charge, and the reversing valve to find out where the fault actually sits.
A furnace that starts and then shuts off, or that will not ignite at all, often comes down to the igniter or the flame sensor. A dirty or failed flame sensor tells the control board the burner has not lit, and the system shuts down as a safety measure. We clean or replace the sensor, test the ignition sequence, and confirm the furnace is running through a full cycle before we leave.
Ductless mini-splits are a practical solution for spaces in Irondequoit homes that the central system does not reach well: additions, finished attics, or rooms that run consistently warmer or colder than the rest of the house. We install single-zone and multi-zone ductless systems and handle the refrigerant line set and the low-voltage wiring at the unit. The electrical circuit is the electrician's side of the job.
A system that runs without reaching the thermostat setpoint is wasting energy and telling you something is wrong. Common causes include refrigerant loss, a dirty coil reducing heat transfer, duct leakage bleeding conditioned air before it reaches the room, or a system that was never sized correctly for the space. We work through the possibilities in order rather than replacing parts until something improves.
Short cycling, where the system starts, runs briefly, and shuts down before completing a full cycle, puts stress on the compressor and the heat exchanger. It can be caused by an oversized system, a refrigerant issue, a dirty filter restricting airflow, or a control fault. We diagnose the root cause rather than resetting the system and hoping it resolves.
Irondequoit's housing stock covers a wide range, from older single-family homes on their original equipment to newer construction and rental properties with multiple units. The situation that brings a call in is rarely the same twice.
A repair call usually starts with a symptom: no heat, no cool, a noise that was not there before, or a room that is not responding the way the rest of the house does. Airflow and uneven-temperature troubleshooting is part of almost every diagnostic visit, because the problem a customer describes and the problem the system actually has are not always the same thing. We treat the diagnosis as its own step rather than skipping to a fix.
A system that is running does not always mean a system that is running well. Pre-season tune-ups for furnaces and air conditioners catch components that are wearing before they fail at the worst possible time. For older equipment especially, a maintenance visit often surfaces a refrigerant leak diagnosis or a control issue that would have become a no-heat call three weeks into winter. We treat your home the way we'd want ours treated, and that applies to a maintenance visit as much as an emergency call.
At some point a system reaches the end of its useful life and repair costs stop making sense. For Irondequoit homeowners weighing a furnace that keeps needing attention, or a heat pump that is no longer keeping up with demand, we give an honest read on whether the repair pencil out or whether replacement is the better path. The service page carries the full breakdown of what a system replacement involves and what to expect.
System tuned. Airflow balanced. Home comfortable.
the HVAC details page is where the process is written out.
Replacing a complete HVAC system is a bigger commitment than a repair, and it deserves a clear picture of how it goes. The first step is confirming what the property needs: the right equipment type, the right capacity for the space, and whether the existing ductwork can support a new system or needs attention first. A thermostat and smart-control installation is typically part of the replacement, and we make sure the new controls are configured correctly before we leave.
During installation, the property is without heating or cooling for part of the day. The length of that window depends on the scope of the job and what was found during the assessment. We confirm the timeline before the scheduled date so you are not caught off guard. For occupied rentals or commercial spaces, we work around the schedule as much as the job allows.
When the system is running, we test it through a full cycle and walk you through the controls before the visit ends. You receive a record of what was installed and what was done. If anything is not reading correctly after installation, it is addressed before we leave.
We handle heating and cooling work throughout Irondequoit and the surrounding area. Nearby communities we serve include Rochester, Brighton, Greece, and Gates. If your property is anywhere in this part of Monroe County, we cover it.
Residential homeowners, rental property owners, and commercial customers across the area all get the same approach: a clear assessment, a confirmed price, and qualified technicians handling the work. We stand behind every system we service, and that applies to every address we visit across the county.
In most cases, yes. Whole-home air filtration systems and air purifiers are designed to integrate with existing forced-air equipment. The feasibility depends on the configuration of the air handler and the ductwork, which we assess before recommending a specific approach. Call us to describe your current setup and we can advise on what fits.
A maintenance visit covers cleaning the key components, inspecting the heat exchanger or coil, checking refrigerant charge, testing the ignition system and controls, and confirming that airflow is within the right range. We also check for wear on components that are likely to fail under seasonal load. The visit ends with a clear report of what we found and any follow-up that is recommended.
Yes. When we install a new system, the old equipment is removed from the property. You do not need to arrange separate disposal. We confirm the removal plan when the installation is scoped so there are no loose ends after the job is done.
Not always, but it depends on compatibility. Some older thermostats do not communicate correctly with newer equipment, particularly systems with variable-speed or multi-stage components. We check compatibility when the installation is scoped and let you know whether the existing thermostat will work with the new system or whether a replacement is part of the job.
No. We diagnose the system and explain what we find. If a repair is the right call, we make it. If the equipment is old enough or the repair cost is high enough that replacement is the more practical path, we say so plainly and explain the reasoning. The decision is yours, and we give you the information you need to make it.
Yes. A tenant, a property manager, a family member, or another authorized person can be present in place of the owner. We confirm who will be on-site when the appointment is set so the technician knows who to work with on the day of the visit. The person present should be able to provide access to the equipment and answer basic questions about how the system has been behaving.
Call us at (585) 564-9789 and describe the situation. We prioritize no-heat calls and work to get a technician out the same day when the call comes in during our hours, which are 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day. We coordinate around tenant access so you are not managing the back-and-forth between the technician and the occupant yourself.
Yes. A cold-climate heat pump can work alongside an existing furnace as a hybrid setup, or replace it entirely depending on the home's configuration and what the customer wants to accomplish. We walk through the options on the call, and the installation scope is confirmed before anything is scheduled. New York State incentive programs have made this upgrade more accessible, and we can explain what the installation involves when you reach us at (585) 564-9789.
Call us at (585) 564-9789 and give us your address. We confirm coverage on the call before anything is scheduled. Most properties in and around the communities we serve regularly are within our service area, and we can tell you right away whether yours is.
Older homes often have ductwork that was sized for equipment no longer in use, thermostats that do not communicate well with modern systems, and furnaces or air conditioners that have been running past the point where they operate efficiently. A diagnostic visit on an older home frequently turns up more than the original symptom, and we explain everything we find before recommending any additional work.
Alternative Home Heating Co takes calls from Irondequoit every day from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Whether you need an emergency furnace repair, a heat pump installation, a seasonal tune-up, or a full system replacement, call (585) 564-9789 for a quote. Pricing is confirmed before anything is scheduled.
If a property has no heating or no cooling right now, that is the call to make first. Same-day appointments are often available for urgent situations, and we will work to get someone out to you as soon as possible.
Call now: (585) 564-9789
We also take work in: Brighton, Gates, North Gates, Penfield, Pittsford. See the whole of our area list.
We handle the full range of heating, cooling, and air quality work for Irondequoit and Monroe County homes and businesses. Whether you need a quick repair, a seasonal tune-up, or a full system replacement, the table below covers what each service includes, who it fits best, and what is worth knowing before you call. Every job is handled by qualified HVAC technicians, and we confirm pricing before anything is scheduled.
| System Service | What It Covers | Best Suited For | Good to Know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furnace Repair & Replacement | full furnace diagnosiscomponent-level repairreplacement planning and installpost-installation system check | Monroe County homeowners with a furnace that has stopped working, is heating inconsistently, or is approaching the end of its useful life | Gas and propane forced-air furnaces are the dominant heating source in this area. When repair does not make sense, we give you an honest read on replacement before anything is decided. |
| Cold-Climate Heat Pump Installation | cold-climate unit selection and sizingoutdoor and indoor unit installationbackup system integrationperformance verification at low temperatures | Homeowners considering a switch from a traditional furnace-and-AC setup to a single system that handles both seasons | Modern cold-climate heat pumps operate effectively down to -15 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes them a practical option for upstate New York in a way older technology was not. |
| Thermostat & Smart-Control Installation | thermostat replacementsmart thermostat setup and schedulingzoning control installationsystem communication testing | Homeowners with an outdated thermostat, comfort complaints that trace to controls, or interest in remote scheduling | A thermostat that reads incorrectly or fails to communicate with the system can mimic equipment failure. We check the controls before assuming the unit is at fault. |
| Heating & Furnace Repair | no-heat diagnosisburner and ignition inspectionheat exchanger checkblower motor evaluation | Any household or building that has lost heat or is heating unevenly, especially during a Monroe County winter | A no-heat call in January is an urgent situation and we treat it that way. Same-day service is often available for heating emergencies. |
| Seasonal Maintenance & Tune-Ups | coil cleaningrefrigerant charge checkheat exchanger inspectioncontrols and safety testing | Any homeowner who wants to catch a failing component before it becomes an emergency call | Fall is the right time for a heating tune-up and spring is the right time for AC. Scheduling before the busy season means faster appointments and fewer surprises. |
| Heat Pump Repair & Service | refrigerant circuit inspectionreversing valve checkair handler evaluationcontrols and thermostat testing | Homes or businesses with a heat pump that is not heating, not cooling, or cycling incorrectly | Heat pumps handle both seasons from one system. A problem in winter often traces to the reversing valve or refrigerant charge, both of which we check on every visit. |
| Indoor Air Quality & Air Filtration | air filtration system installationair purifier installationwhole-home humidifier installationsystem integration and testing | Households concerned about allergens, airborne particulates, or dry indoor air during the heating season | Irondequoit-area homes running forced-air heat for six or more months a year benefit significantly from a whole-home humidifier. We install equipment that works with your existing system. |
| Ductwork Repair & Sealing | duct inspection and leak locationdisconnected section repairsealing and insulationairflow balancing | Homes with uneven temperatures, high energy bills, or a system that runs longer than it should | Leaking ductwork wastes conditioned air before it reaches the rooms that need it. Fixing the ducts is almost always less expensive than replacing the equipment. |
| Emergency HVAC Service | same-day heating and cooling responseno-heat and no-cool diagnosisurgent repair or temporary stabilization | Any situation where the system is completely down and waiting until a regular appointment is not a reasonable option | We are available every day from 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Same-day appointments are often available for urgent calls during those hours. |
| Full System Installation & ReplacementMost Popular | equipment sizing and selectionremoval of existing unitnew system installationpost-install performance testing | Homeowners whose current system is aging, inefficient, or facing a repair that does not make financial sense | We walk through the options and confirm the price before anything is scheduled. Most residential replacements are completed in a single day. |
| Whole-Home Humidifier Installation | humidifier selection and sizingair handler integrationhumidity control setupinstallation typically completed in one visit | Irondequoit-area homeowners dealing with dry skin, static electricity, or wood damage caused by low indoor humidity during the heating season | A whole-home humidifier treats the entire house automatically without refilling a tank. It connects directly to the forced-air system and maintains a consistent humidity level all winter. |
| AC Repair & Service | refrigerant and leak diagnosiscondenser and compressor inspectionevaporator coil cleaningsystem performance testing | Homeowners or businesses dealing with warm air, weak airflow, or a unit that shuts down unexpectedly | Most AC problems have a single clear cause. We diagnose before any repair begins so you know exactly what failed and what it costs to fix. |
Call us at (585) 564-9789 to talk through your heating or cooling situation and get a clear price before anything is scheduled.
(585) 564-9789