Frequently Asked Questions
Answers, straight — the same way ExactAir does the work
Everything homeowners and local businesses ask most, in one place: hours, pricing, the ExactAir Method, service area, and what ExactAir does and doesn’t cover.
General & Company
Who ExactAir is, and what to expect before a technician ever shows up.
Is ExactAir licensed and insured?
ExactAir is fully insured through Federated Insurance, covering commercial auto, general liability, and workers’ compensation, and is EPA certified for both Universal and A2L refrigerants. ExactAir is a growing company and is completing additional local licensing — ask us for current status if that matters for your project.
Is ExactAir veteran-owned and family-owned?
Yes. ExactAir Heating and Cooling is owned by Brett Lahue, an Army veteran, and is a family-owned business based in Festus, MO.
How long has ExactAir been in business?
ExactAir was founded in 2025 by Brett Lahue, who brought over 5,000 installation hours of field experience into starting the company.
Who actually shows up for the appointment?
Brett Lahue — the owner and lead technician — personally handles ExactAir’s jobs. Technicians are background-checked and drug-tested.
Scheduling & Availability
Hours, response time, and how to reach ExactAir.
What are ExactAir's business hours?
Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Closed Saturday and Sunday. 24/7 emergency service is available outside those hours.
Can I call or text ExactAir?
Yes. (314) 893-4707 takes both calls and texts, including for emergency service outside business hours.
How fast will ExactAir respond to my request?
Most web requests get a response the same business day. For anything urgent — no cooling, no heat, or anything that can’t wait — call or text (314) 893-4707 directly instead of using the online form.
Does ExactAir offer emergency service?
Yes, 24/7 emergency service is available for heating and cooling breakdowns, any day of the week.
Pricing & The ExactAir Method
How every job is priced, and the process behind the company's name.
How does ExactAir's pricing work?
Every job follows the ExactAir Method: a technician diagnoses the actual problem, shows you the exact findings, and sets the exact price before any work begins. No guessing, no surprise invoice.
What is the ExactAir Method?
A six-step checklist used on every visit: Exact Diagnosis, Exact Findings, Exact Options, Exact Pricing, Exact Testing, and Exact Verification. It’s the process behind the company name.
What payment methods does ExactAir accept?
ExactAir accepts credit cards. Ask about additional payment options when you schedule.
Does ExactAir offer financing?
Not currently in-house. Contact us directly to talk through options for a larger repair or replacement.
Service Area
Where ExactAir works, and where it currently doesn't.
What areas does ExactAir serve?
ExactAir is based in Festus, MO and serves Jefferson County and the surrounding St. Louis Metro area, generally within about 45 minutes of Festus — including Herculaneum, Crystal City, Pevely, Imperial, Arnold, Hillsboro, Cedar Hill, and House Springs.
Is there a trip fee for farther locations?
Yes, a trip fee applies once you’re past the standard service radius. Ask when you call, and we’ll let you know if it applies to your address.
Do you serve St. Louis city or St. Louis County?
Service there is currently limited, pending additional licensing. Send your address and we’ll confirm whether ExactAir can take the job.
Air Conditioning
See the full Air Conditioning page for services, signs of trouble, and pricing details.
How much does AC repair cost in Festus, MO?
It depends on what’s actually wrong, which is why ExactAir doesn’t quote AC repair prices over the phone. A technician checks real readings first, then shows the exact price before any repair starts.
Should I repair or replace my air conditioner?
It depends on the system’s age, the repair cost, and its maintenance history. ExactAir shows the repair option and the replacement option side by side, with real pricing on each, so the decision is yours.
Do you install ductless mini-split systems?
Yes, both single-zone and multi-zone ductless mini-split systems — a good fit for additions, garages, and homes without existing ductwork.
Heating & Heat Pumps
Furnaces, heat pumps, and what falls outside ExactAir's scope.
Do you work on furnaces as well as heat pumps?
Yes. ExactAir installs, repairs, replaces, and maintains furnaces — including electric, oil, and propane systems — as well as heat pumps, including cold-climate and dual-fuel heat pump systems and mini-split heat pumps.
Do you install or service boilers or tankless water heaters?
No. Boilers, wall-hung boilers, and tankless water heaters are a hydronic and plumbing specialty that ExactAir doesn’t currently offer.
Can a heat pump be my main heating system in Missouri?
In many homes, yes — ExactAir installs heat pumps as both a standalone heating system and as part of a dual-fuel setup alongside a furnace, depending on what fits your home.
Commercial
See the full Commercial page for who ExactAir works with.
Does ExactAir service large commercial or industrial buildings?
No. ExactAir focuses on light commercial spaces — small offices, retail stores, restaurants, and churches. Large industrial facilities and high-rises fall outside our current scope.
Does ExactAir work on commercial refrigeration equipment?
No. ExactAir handles heating and cooling systems, not commercial refrigeration equipment like walk-in coolers, reach-ins, or ice machines.
Maintenance Plans
Keeping a system running before it becomes a repair call.
Does ExactAir offer a maintenance plan?
ExactAir is finalizing a formal maintenance plan program. In the meantime, contact us to schedule a seasonal tune-up, and ask about priority scheduling once the plan launches.
How often should I have my system serviced?
Once a year, ideally in spring for cooling and fall for heating — Jefferson County’s weather swings hard, and a system that’s already borderline won’t handle that well without a tune-up first.
Still have a question?
Monday–Friday, 7am–7pm · 24/7 emergency service available
