Heating and air conditioning repair in Memphis
Our guide to heating and air conditioning repair covers how the job works. Below: the Memphis numbers a HVAC contractor looks at, with sources.
Memphis housing, by the numbers
The median home in Memphis dates from 1970, so about half the housing is that old or older. Of the 56 other cities in this network, 32 have newer housing by median year built. Older homes here often have ducts and venting that were sized for a different system.
Source: Census ACS
Source: Census ACS
Roughly 45 in every 100 occupied homes in Memphis are owner-occupied. That is 113,608 of 253,120 households. Of the 56 other cities in this network, 17 have a lower share of owner-occupied homes. Owner-occupied homes carry most of the replacement decisions in the city.
Source: Census ACS
Source: Census ACS
Electricity heats about 56% of occupied homes in Memphis, the most common fuel there. Other fuels: utility gas 42%, bottled or tank gas 1%, fuel oil or kerosene under 1%. Switching fuels is possible, but ask what it means for your panel, gas line and ducts.
Source: Census ACS
Source: Census ACS
Memphis climate, by the numbers
By the NOAA 1991-2020 normals, summers in Memphis add up to about 2,314 cooling degree days. Measured at the Memphis Intl Ap (TN) station. The cooling load here is higher than in 44 of the 56 other cities we cover. More cooling degree days means more run hours, which is where worn capacitors and dirty coils show up first.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
By the NOAA 1991-2020 normals, winters in Memphis add up to about 2,875 heating degree days. Measured at the Memphis Intl Ap (TN) station. Of the 56 other cities in this network, 18 have a lower heating load. Heating load like that decides whether a heat pump alone is enough or a furnace backup makes sense.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
Expect around 44 days a year when Memphis drops to 32 F or below, going by NOAA normals. Of the 52 other cities in this network, 16 have a lower number of freezing days.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
Expect around 72 days a year at 90 F or above in Memphis, going by NOAA normals. The number of 90 F days here is higher than in 37 of the 54 other cities we cover.
Source: NOAA normals
Source: NOAA normals
Seasons and risk in Memphis
On heat wave risk, FEMA's National Risk Index puts Shelby County, TN at relatively high. 30 of the 55 other cities we cover sit in counties with the same heat wave rating. During a heat wave contractors book up; a tune-up in spring avoids the rush.
Source: FEMA risk index
Source: FEMA risk index
Shelby County, TN carries a very high cold wave risk rating in FEMA's National Risk Index. 16 of the 53 other cities we cover sit in counties with the same cold wave rating. Cold snaps are the hardest test for a heat pump; ask about backup heat.
Source: FEMA risk index
Source: FEMA risk index
In Tennessee, HVAC contractors are licensed by the Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept of Commerce & Insurance); status can be checked on the agency's official lookup page.
Source: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept of Commerce & Insurance) (Tennessee) · Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept of Commerce & Insurance) license information
Source: Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept of Commerce & Insurance) (Tennessee) · Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept of Commerce & Insurance) license information
Sources, checked October 2026
- U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 5-year, profile 16000US4748000
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020, station USW00013893
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025), Shelby County, TN
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept of Commerce & Insurance) (Tennessee)
- Tennessee Board for Licensing Contractors (Dept of Commerce & Insurance) license information
Local offices and rules in Memphis
Develop901's Construction Enforcement page sends applicants to the Shelby County Accela Citizen Portal, where building permits are applied for, inspections scheduled, fees paid and contractor licenses applied for or renewed.
Source: www.develop901.com. Checked October 2026.
Source: www.develop901.com. Checked October 2026.
Because MLGW buys TVA power, Memphis households qualify for TVA EnergyRight rebates, which list tiers for a heat pump of 17 SEER2 or higher and for 15-16.99 SEER2, plus a rebate for attic insulation, with work done by a Quality Contractor Network member.
Source: energyright.com. Checked October 2026.
Source: energyright.com. Checked October 2026.
Memphis Light, Gas and Water (MLGW), a municipal three-service utility, delivers electricity bought from the Tennessee Valley Authority and is TVA's largest customer.
Source: www.mlgw.com. Checked October 2026.
Source: www.mlgw.com. Checked October 2026.
MLGW also runs the gas system, supplying natural gas to nearly 320,000 customers in Shelby County with gas purchased from transmission companies.
Source: www.mlgw.com. Checked October 2026.
Source: www.mlgw.com. 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
