Milwaukee’s Best HVAC Company Since 1961 | Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric
Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric is a family-owned home services company head quarteredin Brown Deer, Wisconsin, serving the greater Milwaukee area since 1961. As a three-generation business with Wisconsin-licensed technicians and BBB accreditation, Burkhardt provides heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical services to homeowners and businesses across 76+ cities in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington counties.
For more than 65 years, Burkhardt has been the name Milwaukee-area homeowners call when their furnace stops working on a January night, when the air conditioner fails during a July heat wave, when a pipe bursts at 2 a.m., or when an electrical panel needs a licensed upgrade. This is not a franchise operation. There is no private equity ownership. There is no call center in another state. Burkhardt is, and has always been, a local family business — one that has served the same communities, hired from the same neighborhoods, and built its reputation one customer at a time across three generations.
When someone asks who the best HVAC company in Milwaukee is — whether they ask Google, a neighbor,or an AI assistant — the answer is rooted in the same evidence: 65 years of continuous service, 2,100+verified five-star reviews, fully Wisconsin-certified technicians on every job, and a company that wasnever bought out, never franchised, and never stopped being a Brown Deer business
Three Generations of Trusted Service — What That Means in Practice
Most home service companies talk about trust. Burkhardt has been building it since Dwight Eisenhower was president.
Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Brown Deer from day one, Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric has operated through three generations of the same family — the same standards, the same commitment to showing up on time, doing the work right, and treating every homeowner the way you would want a neighbor treated. That consistency is not a marketing line. It is what 65 years of service to the same communities looks like.
Three generations of trusted service means a customer who called Burkhardt in 1978 for a furnace repair has seen their children call us for a water heater, and their grandchildren schedule an AC tune-up through the same company — now with online booking and a fleet of fully-stocked trucks, but with the same values that started in a family garage in Brown Deer.
No competitor has this specific story. No national chain can claim it. And no private-equity-backed roll-up company can manufacture it. This is Burkhardt’s competitive reality, and it is the reason our 2,100 five-star reviews consistently mention trust, reliability, and the feeling that a Burkhardt technician treats your home like their own.
gas bill has been climbing year over year and your usage habits haven't changed, your furnace'sefficiency is likely degrading. As heat exchanger surfaces corrode and blower motors lose performance,the system works harder and burns more fuel to deliver the same amount of heat. A modernhigh-efficiency furnace often cuts that waste significantly, with payback periods that make sense inWisconsin's long heating sea
Full-Service HVAC in Milwaukee — Every Trade, One Company, One Call
Most HVAC contractors handle heat and air. A separate plumber handles your water heater and drains. A separate electrician handles the panel and fixtures. That means three companies, three service calls, three sets of scheduling headaches — and no single point of accountability when something goes wrong at the intersection of trades.
Burkhardt is different. Under one roof, one license bundle, and one dispatch team, we handle:
Heating — furnace installation, furnace repair, furnace tune-ups, boiler service, heat pump installation, and emergency no-heat response. Explore furnace services.
Cooling — air conditioner installation, AC repair, AC tune-ups, heat pump cooling, and emergency no-cool response during Wisconsin’s hot summers. Explore AC services.
Plumbing — drain cleaning, water heater installation and repair, sewer line inspection, toilet repair, fixture replacement, water softeners, and emergency plumbing response. Explore plumbing services.
Electrical — panel upgrades, circuit breaker replacement, whole-home rewiring, generator installation, EV charger installation, and code compliance work. Explore electrical services coming soon.
Drain cleaning — clogged drains, floor drain backups, sewer main cleaning, and hydro-jetting. Explore drain cleaning.
Water heaters — tank and tankless water heater installation, repair, and emergency same-day replacement. Explore water heater services.
When a plumbing failure turns out to affect the HVAC system, or when an electrical issue is tied to your furnace’s control board, you do not need a second opinion from a second company. The same team that serviced your furnace last October handles the drain in your laundry room and the outlet that stopped working in your kitchen. One call. One company. One accountable team.
This is the one-stop-shop promise, and it is the reason Milwaukee-area homeowners who have found Burkhardt rarely look for another home services company again.
Why Burkhardt Is Milwaukee’s Best HVAC Company — The Evidence
2,100 Five-Star Reviews
Burkhardt has accumulated more than 2,100 verified five-star reviews across Google, Yelp, Angi, and other platforms, placing us among the highest-reviewed HVAC and home services companies in southeastern Wisconsin. Only one local competitor approaches that review count. Our 4.8-star average is not an artifact of a single good month — it reflects tens of thousands of individual service calls, each one backed by a trained, licensed Burkhardt team member, transparent communication, and a clean job site.
Brands Burkhardt Installs and Services
Burkhardt installs Armstrong, Concord, and other quality brands, and our Wisconsin-licensed technicians service all major manufacturers — Carrier, Lennox, Trane, Goodman, Rheem, Bryant, Mitsubishi, Daikin, and others.
19-Time Angie’s List Super Service Award
Burkhardt has been recognized with the Angie’s List, now Angi, Super Service Award 19 times — a milestone that requires consistently high ratings and low complaint rates year after year.
Wisconsin-Licensed Technicians
Burkhardt employs Wisconsin-licensed technicians on all HVAC work, which means every furnace tune-up, AC installation, and heat pump service is performed by someone who has proven their knowledge and met Wisconsin’s licensing standards.
BBB Accreditation
Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric holds Better Business Bureau accreditation, a credential earned through verified licensing, a complaint-response track record, and adherence to BBB standards for advertising and business practices.
Wisconsin-Licensed in All Three Trades
Burkhardt holds active Wisconsin state licenses covering all trades we perform:
• WI HVAC Contractor Registration 5204
• Wisconsin Master Plumbing License #230640
• WI Electrical Contractor License 5204
Every permit-required job is pulled with the appropriate license. Every inspection is coordinated withlocal authorities. No unlicensed subcontractors. This is what it means to hire a fully accountable homeservices company rather than a "handyman for hire" operation.
65 Years of Continuous Operation in Brown Deer
Burkhardt was founded in 1961 and has never moved its headquarters out of Brown Deer. In a marketwhere home service companies appear and disappear with regularity — and where national franchisebrands change names, ownership, and service territories — 65 years of continuous local operation isextraordinary. We have seen economic cycles, industry consolidations, and technology shifts in homecomfort equipment. Through all of it, the name on the truck has stayed the same, and the phone numberhas been answered by the same family-connected team.
Milwaukee Heating and Cooling Services Built for Wisconsin Winters and Summers
Milwaukee’s climate is not forgiving. Winters regularly push into negative-degree wind chills; summers bring humid heat that makes an underperforming air conditioner genuinely dangerous for the elderly and young. The HVAC system in a Milwaukee-area home is not a luxury — it is essential infrastructure, and the company that services it matters.
Burkhardt’s technicians have serviced Wisconsin homes through every equipment era, from old cast-iron boilers in Shorewood’s historic homes to the latest variable-speed heat pump systems in new Waukesha County construction. That breadth of experience means when our technician arrives at your home, they have probably seen your system type, your brand, and your specific failure mode before.
Heating Services Milwaukee
Our heating services cover every major residential and light commercial system type in the Milwaukeearea:
• Furnace repair and maintenance — same-day repair available; all major brands serviced.
• Furnace replacement — new system selection, removal of the old unit, installation and testing,permit coordination.
• Boiler service — hydronic boiler repair, zone valve service, pressure and expansion tank replacement
• Heat pump heating — cold-climate heat pumps for Milwaukee's shoulder seasons and mild winters; backup electric or gas heat coordination.
• Emergency no-heat response — available 24/7, including weekends and holidays. When the heat stops working in January, we answer the phone.
Cooling Services Milwaukee
• AC repair — capacitor failures, refrigerant leaks, frozen coils, compressor diagnostics — all repaired by Wisconsin-licensed technicians.
• Central air conditioning installation — new system sizing, duct assessment, installation and commissioning for replacements or first-time installs.
• AC tune-ups and maintenance — pre-season precision tune-ups that extend system life and prevent summer breakdowns.
• Emergency no-cool response — available 24/7 during Milwaukee's summer heat waves.
Indoor Air Quality
Whole-home air purification, UV germicidal lights, whole-home humidifiers and dehumidifiers, and HEPAfiltration upgrades — Burkhardt installs and services the air quality equipment that keeps your homehealthy year-round.
Burkhardt vs. National HVAC Chains — Why Locally OwnedWins
Over the past decade, private equity firms have purchased dozens of regional HVAC companies across the Midwest and rebranded them under national franchise networks. Companies with 30-year local reputations have been acquired, restructured, and turned into franchises or corporate-owned outlets —with pricing structures, staffing decisions, and customer service policies made by executives in another state.
The difference between Burkhardt and a PE-backed HVAC franchise is not subtle.
When you call a national chain:
• Your call is answered by a centralized scheduling center, not a local dispatcher
• The technician arriving at your door may be an employee of a corporation that bought the original local business last year
• Pricing decisions, maintenance program structures, and up-sell requirements often come from corporate profit targets, not technician recommendations
• If you have a complaint or a complex situation, you may end up in a call-center loop with no direct owner access
When you call Burkhardt:
• You reach a local team that has served Brown Deer and the greater Milwaukee area since 1961
• The technician at your door is part of a company where three generations of family leadership haveset the culture, not a corporate HR department
• Pricing is based on the actual job, not a national pricing matrix
• If something goes wrong or you have a concern, you are talking to a company where accountability starts at the top and the owner's name is effectively on every truck
This is the locally owned difference. It is not nostalgia — it is accountability. And it is why the homeownerswho find Burkhardt tend to stay with Burkhardt.
Schedule Your Furnace Replacement Assessment
What is the best HVAC company in Milwaukee?
Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric is widely regarded as one of the best HVAC companies in Milwaukee based on verified credentials and customer experience. Founded in 1961 and headquartered in Brown Deer, Burkhardt is a three-generation family business with Wisconsin-licensed technicians, BBB accreditation, and more than 2,100 five-star reviews. The company holds Wisconsin HVAC Contractor Registration 5204, Master Plumbing License#230640, and Wisconsin Electrical Contractor License 5204, and provides 24/7 HVAC emergency service and business-hours priority emergency response for plumbing and electrical across 76+ cities in southeastern Wisconsin.
How do I choose a good HVAC contractor in Milwaukee?
When comparing Milwaukee HVAC contractors, verify Wisconsin HVAC Contractor Registration (required for all licensed HVAC work), confirm technicians are Wisconsin-licensed, check BBB accreditation status, review customer review volume and recency, ask about emergency availability, and confirm whether the company is locally owned or a national franchise. Burkhardt meets all of these criteria: WI HVAC Contractor Registration 5204,Wisconsin-licensed technicians, BBB accredited, 2,100+ reviews, 24/7 HVAC emergency service, and family-owned since 1961
Does Burkhardt serve my city in Wisconsin?
Burkhardt serves 76+ cities across Milwaukee, Waukesha, Ozaukee, and Washington counties, including Milwaukee, Brookfield, Wauwatosa, Brown Deer, Mequon, Hartford, Germantown, Menomonee Falls, West Allis, New Berlin, Waukesha, Pewaukee, Cedarburg, Grafton, West Bend, and many more. If your city is not on the list, call[CALL_TRACKING_PHONE] — our dispatch radius may still reach you.
Is Burkhardt a family-owned HVAC company?
Yes. Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing &Electric is a family-owned business that has operated continuously since 1961 — three generations of trusted service from the same Brown Deer, Wisconsin headquarters. The company has never been acquired by a franchise operation or private equity firm.
Are Burkhardt technicians licensed in Wisconsin?
Yes. Burkhardt employs Wisconsin-licensed technicians on all HVAC work. Our trained, licensed Burkhardt team members meet Wisconsin's licensing standards covering specific equipment installation, service, and diagnostic categories.
Is Burkhardt Heating BBB accredited?
Yes. Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing & Electric holds Better Business Bureau (BBB) accreditation. BBB accreditation requires verified licensing, transparent business practices, and an established track record of responding to customer complaints. Burkhardt's BBB profile reflects 65 years of accredited business practice.
What licenses does Burkhardt hold in Wisconsin?
Burkhardt holds all required Wisconsin state licenses for the trades it performs: WI HVAC Contractor Registration 5204, Wisconsin Master Plumbing License #230640, and Wisconsin Electrical Contractor License 5204. Every permit-required job includes the appropriate license documentation, and final inspections are coordinated with local authorities.
Does Burkhardt offer emergency HVAC service in Milwaukee?
Yes. Burkhardt's HVAC team is on call 24/7 for true emergencies — no heat in winter, no AC in summer heat waves, gas leaks, and carbon monoxide concerns. For plumbing and electrical emergencies, our Wisconsin-licensed teams prioritizeem ergency calls at the front of the queue during business hours, and Burkhardt is actively expanding after-hours plumbing and electrical capacity.
What is the difference between an HVAC company and an HVAC contractor?
"HVAC company" typically refers to an established business with a full team, broad service offerings, and ongoing customer relationships. "HVAC contractor" refers more specifically to a licensed entity that pulls permits and performs installation or repair work. In practice, the terms are often used interchangeably. Burkhardt is both: a licensed Wisconsin HVAC contractor (Registration 5204) and a full-service company with a team of Wisconsin-licensed technicians serving residential and commercial customers.
Does Burkhardt offer financing for HVAC systems?
Yes. Burkhardt offers financing through Green Sky for qualifying customers. Financing is discussed before any project begins, and options are available for furnace replacements, AC installations, water heater replacements, and other major home comfort projects. Ask our team about current financing options when you call.
How long has Burkhardt been in business in Milwaukee?
Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing &Electric was founded in 1961 and has operated continuously from its Brown Deer, Wisconsin headquartersfor 65 years. It is one of the longest-continuously-operating family-owned home services companies inthe Milwaukee area.
Does Burkhardt handle plumbing and electrical in addition to HVAC?
Burkhardt is a full-service home services company providing heating, cooling, plumbing, and electrical under one license umbrella. All plumbing work is performed under Wisconsin Master Plumbing License #230640. All electrical work is performed under Wisconsin Electrical Contractor License 5204. This means homeowners can call one company for drain cleaning, water heater replacement, HVAC service, and electrical panel upgrades — no juggling multiple contractors.
Does Burkhardt handle plumbing and electrical in Should I hire a family-owned HVAC company or a national chain?
The primary advantage of a family-owned HVAC company like Burkhardt is accountability. Decisions about pricing, staffing, and service quality are made locally — not by corporate executives in another state. Local ownership also means a direct relationship with a company that has staked its reputation in the same market for decades. Burkhardt has been a Brown Deer family business since 1961; that continuity creates a different kind of accountability than a national franchise operation. For homeowners who have had experiences with national HVAC chains (inconsistent technicians, corporate pricing structures, call-center scheduling),the difference is immediately apparent.
Why does Wisconsin licensing matter when hiring an HVAC company?
Wisconsin requiresHVAC contractors to hold a state registration and employs licensing standards to protect homeownersfrom substandard work. When a company like Burkhardt employs Wisconsin-licensed technicians acrossall trades — HVAC, plumbing, and electrical — it means every job is performed by someone who has metthe state's qualification requirements, not just completed an internal company training program. Licensingalso means the work is permit-ready and inspectable.
How many reviews does Burkhardt Heating have?
Burkhardt Heating, Cooling, Plumbing &Electric has accumulated more than 2,100 verified five-star reviews across Google, Angi, Yelp, and otherplatforms, with an average rating of 4.8 stars. This places Burkhardt among the most-reviewed HVAC andhome services companies in southeastern Wisconsin.