Heating and air conditioning repair in Des Moines
Our guide to heating and air conditioning repair covers how the job works. Below: the Des Moines numbers a HVAC contractor looks at, with sources.
What the housing in Des Moines tells a provider
The median home in Des Moines dates from 1961, so about half the housing is that old or older. Of the 56 other cities in this network, 38 have newer housing by median year built. A house from that era may have had its system replaced more than once; the ducts usually stay.
Source: Census ACS
Source: Census ACS
In Des Moines, owner-occupied homes make up about 60% of occupied housing. That is 54,506 of 90,105 households. The share of owner-occupied homes here is higher than in 52 of the 56 other cities we cover. Owners usually decide on a replacement; renters should start with the landlord or property manager.
Source: Census ACS
Source: Census ACS
Utility gas heats about 64% of occupied homes in Des Moines, the most common fuel there. Other fuels: electricity 33%, bottled or tank gas 1%, fuel oil or kerosene under 1%. Homes on that fuel need a contractor licensed and equipped for it.
Source: Census ACS
Source: Census ACS
Des Moines climate, by the numbers
Air conditioners near Des Moines face about 1,070 cooling degree days in a typical year, per NOAA's 1991-2020 normals. Measured at the Des Moines Intl Ap (IA) station. The cooling load here is higher than in 21 of the 56 other cities we cover. Cooling demand at that level is why the outdoor unit's size and condition matter here.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
NOAA's 30 year normals give Des Moines roughly 6,178 heating degree days annually. Measured at the Des Moines Intl Ap (IA) station. The heating load here is higher than in 51 of the 56 other cities we cover. That is the number a contractor's load calculation starts from when sizing heat for a house here.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
Expect around 128 days a year when Des Moines drops to 32 F or below, going by NOAA normals. Of the 52 other cities in this network, 46 have a lower number of freezing days.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
Near Des Moines the high reaches 90 F or more on about 22 days in a normal year. Of the 54 other cities in this network, 16 have a lower number of 90 F days.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
Des Moines seasons, by the numbers
The heat wave risk for Polk County, IA is rated relatively high in FEMA's National Risk Index. The same heat wave rating applies in 30 of the 55 other cities in this network. Heat waves are when an older air conditioner is most likely to fail, so a pre-season check pays off.
Source: FEMA risk index
Source: FEMA risk index
Polk County, IA carries a relatively high cold wave risk rating in FEMA's National Risk Index. The same cold wave rating applies in 19 of the 53 other cities in this network. Cold snaps are the hardest test for a heat pump; ask about backup heat.
Source: FEMA risk index
Source: FEMA risk index
In Iowa, HVAC contractors are licensed by the Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL); status can be checked on the agency's official lookup page.
Source: Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL) (Iowa) · Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL) license information
Source: Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL) (Iowa) · Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL) license information
Sources, checked October 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, profile 16000US1921000
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00014933
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), Polk County, IA
- Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL) (Iowa)
- Iowa Plumbing and Mechanical Systems Board (DIAL) license information
Local offices and rules in Des Moines
HVAC work is governed by the State Mechanical Code based on the 2024 International Mechanical Code, while the energy code listed by the city is the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code.
Source: www.dsm.city. Checked October 2026.
Source: www.dsm.city. Checked October 2026.
Applications, payments, documents and inspection requests can be handled online through the city's Customer Self-Service Portal (EnerGov) at css.dmgov.org.
Source: www.dsm.city. Checked October 2026.
Source: www.dsm.city. Checked October 2026.
MidAmerican Energy's 2026 Iowa residential program offers Instant Discounts through participating providers on heat pumps, central AC and gas furnaces; air-source heat pumps and cold-climate models are each listed with a per-unit discount range.
Source: www.midamericanenergy.com. Checked October 2026.
Source: www.midamericanenergy.com. Checked October 2026.
MidAmerican Energy (midamericanenergy.com) holds the Des Moines electric franchise, originally granted to Iowa Power and Light and extended to MidAmerican through June 15, 2035 under Ordinance 16,134.
Source: councildocs.dsm.city. Checked October 2026.
Source: councildocs.dsm.city. Checked October 2026.
If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas utility from outside. Keep a working carbon monoxide alarm near the bedrooms, and do not open a furnace cabinet that is running.
Common jobs
