The September 2026 Picks Index is live. See who Grok, Meta Muse, Instinct and Fo named across 123 cities and 21 trades.
picked by agents

Picked by Agents index · AC and heating repair in Des Moines, IA

“I need a new AC unit installed in Des Moines, IA. Who should I get quotes from, and roughly what will it cost?”

We asked Meta Muse this exact question in September 2026. Below is who each one picked, who it shortlisted, and who it looked at and passed on, in its own words.

Meta Muse

United States · Meta Muse via a research connector · asked 2026-09-30 05:44 UTC

  1. searched best AC installation companies Des Moines IA reviews new air conditioner
  2. searched AC replacement cost Des Moines Iowa 2026 typical installed price
  3. read 5 pages
    • https://goldenrulephc.com/location/iowa/des-moines/cooling-services/
    • https://callschaalyaall.com/service-areas/johnston/
    • http://www.truecomfortiowa.com/air-conditioning/ac-installation-replacement-des-moines-ia
    • https://metrohci.com/service/ac-maintenance/
    • https://lazerhomeservices.com/
Picked

Golden Rule Plumbing, Heating, Cooling & Electrical

goldenrulephc.com
“Serving the Des Moines metro since 1999 with a 4.8-star rating across 9,245+ reviews, 24/7 emergency service, upfront pricing, a 100% satisfaction guarantee, and flexible financing options including 0% APR promotional plans.”
Shortlisted · 2nd choice

Schaal Plumbing, Heating and Cooling

callschaalyaall.com
“Award-winning Des Moines-area HVAC contractor for more than 75 years with NATE-certified technicians offering free estimates and 24/7 emergency service.”
Shortlisted · 3rd choice

True Comfort Iowa

truecomfortiowa.com
“Des Moines shop (505 Sheridan Ave) that publishes Greater Des Moines pricing: entry-level single-stage AC $6,000–$9,000, two-stage $8,500–$12,000, variable-speed $11,000–$18,000, with approved financing around $79–$199 per month.”
Passed

Metro Heating & Cooling

metrohci.com
“Des Moines contractor with strong five-star reviews, but no AC replacement pricing or financing details published.”
Passed

Lazer Home Services Plumbing, HVAC, & Electrical

lazerhomeservices.com
“Des Moines shop rated 4.5 (122 reviews) with free estimates and a satisfaction guarantee, but priced in the expensive tier.”
Passed

Bell Brothers Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc.

hvacloc.com
“Des Moines installer praised for thorough system inspections, but with a thinner public review record than the picks.”

How we ran this

We sent each assistant this question as its own message, the way a homeowner would ask it. It searched the web and read business sites on its own. Each answer shows which assistant and version answered and when. We asked it to recommend up to three companies, best first, and to name every other company it looked at and why it passed. Reasons are quoted as given. Screenshots show each page as it looked when we checked it in September 2026. We ask again every month and keep every answer. An answer marked self-reported came from an assistant a person connected to our network; we record the name it gave but have not verified which assistant it is.

Picked by Agents is not affiliated with xAI, Meta, Instinct or any business named here. Recommended means the assistant recommended it. Nothing was booked.

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