Home Comfort FAQs, Answered Plainly

We use flat-rate, up-front pricing. You'll see the cost of each option in writing before any work begins — no surprises, no scope creep, and no pressure. We present clear choices and let you decide what's right for your home and budget.

Yes. O'Leary Plumbing, Heating & Electrical is fully licensed and insured in Wisconsin (License #230734). Every technician is background-checked and trained to the standards our family has held since 1958.

O'Leary has served Wisconsin's lake country since 1958 — three generations of the same family. "Pure Comfort Since 1958" isn't just a tagline; it's how we've treated neighbors for over six decades. What's essential to you is essential to us.

Absolutely. If another company gave you a quote — especially for a big repair or a furnace, AC, water heater, or panel replacement — we're happy to take a fresh look and give you an honest second opinion.

Yes — we're proud to offer discounts for active military, veterans, and seniors. Just mention it when you book at (262) 642-7747 and we'll apply it to your service.

Yes — same-day appointments are available for most plumbing, heating, cooling, and electrical issues across southeastern Wisconsin. Call us early in the day for the best chance at a same-day slot, and reach out anytime for urgent help.

We serve East Troy, Lake Geneva, Mukwonago, Elkhorn, Williams Bay, Burlington, Delavan, Whitewater, Waterford, Waukesha, and dozens of surrounding communities across Walworth, Waukesha, and Racine counties. Check our Service Areas page or just call (262) 642-7747 to confirm.

First, shut off the water — either at the fixture or the main shutoff valve to your home. Then call us right away at (262) 642-7747. For a sewer backup or major leak, the sooner you call, the more damage we can help you prevent.

If you smell gas, leave the home immediately, don't flip any switches, and call your gas utility and 911 from outside first. Once you're safe, call us and we'll get a technician out to inspect and repair the line or appliance.

No-heat calls are a priority for us during Wisconsin winters. First, check that the thermostat is set to heat, the furnace switch is on, and the filter isn't clogged. If it still won't run, call us right away — running without heat in sub-zero weather also risks frozen pipes.

We recommend a furnace tune-up every fall and an AC check every spring. Seasonal maintenance keeps your system efficient, catches small issues before a brutal cold snap or heat wave, and protects your manufacturer's warranty.

Geothermal can be a great fit for many Wisconsin homes — it uses the stable temperature of the ground to heat and cool very efficiently, which means lower long-term energy bills. We'll evaluate your lot, home, and budget and walk you through whether it makes sense for you.

With regular maintenance, a furnace typically lasts 15–20 years and an AC unit 12–15 years. If yours is in that range and needs a major repair, we'll give you an honest comparison of repair versus replacement so you can decide what's best.

Keep your home at 55°F or warmer, let a faucet drip on the coldest nights, open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls, and disconnect garden hoses in the fall. If a pipe does freeze, shut off the water and call us — catching it early helps prevent a burst.

It depends on your household's hot-water demand, available space, and budget. Tankless units deliver endless hot water and save space, while traditional tank heaters cost less up front. We'll walk you through the trade-offs and right-size the system for your home.

Yes. Many homes in lake country rely on private wells, and Wisconsin groundwater is often hard or high in iron. We test your water and can install softeners, iron filters, and filtration to protect your pipes, appliances, and fixtures — and make your water taste better.

We do. From well pumps and pressure tanks to septic-related plumbing concerns, we help homeowners outside city utilities keep their water and waste systems running. Call us to describe what's happening and we'll point you in the right direction.

A drain cleaning clears a clog so water flows again. A sewer repair addresses a damaged or collapsed main line — often caused by roots, age, or shifting ground. We can run a camera inspection to see exactly what's going on before recommending the right fix.

Yes. Our licensed electricians install Level 2 EV chargers, including the dedicated circuit and any panel upgrades needed to support it. We'll assess your panel's capacity and recommend the safest, code-compliant setup for your garage or driveway.

Winter storms and summer outages can knock out power for hours or days. A standby generator keeps your heat, sump pump, fridge, and well pump running automatically when the grid goes down. We size, install, and service whole-home generators across the area.

Warning signs include flickering lights, breakers that trip often, a panel that's warm to the touch, or an older home that can't keep up with modern appliances, EV charging, or an addition. We'll inspect your panel and let you know if an upgrade is warranted.

Yes — we offer four annual maintenance memberships: HVAC ($320/yr), Iron Oxidizer ($189/yr), Reverse Osmosis ($165/yr), and Water Softener ($128/yr). Each includes the annual service for that equipment plus priority scheduling and member discounts on repairs. See our Plans page for the full breakdown.

Yes. We offer flexible monthly payment options with simple approval for major projects like furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters, and electrical panels. Visit our Financing page or ask your technician for current offers.

Yes. Wisconsin's Focus on Energy program pays rebates on qualifying high-efficiency heat pumps, furnaces, and water heaters, and York runs equipment-replacement rebates on many of the systems we install — federal 25C tax credits can stack on top. We identify what your install qualifies for and handle the rebate paperwork for you. Read our Focus on Energy rebates guide for the details.