1

                                                                     Exhibit 23



                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS


We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Post-Effective Amendment No.
6 to the Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-12319) and related Prospectus
of Service Experts, Inc. related to $50,000,000 aggregate amount of shares of
its $.01 par value common stock, warrants to purchase its common stock ("Common
Stock Warrants") and the shares of its common stock issued thereunder upon the
exercise of such Common Stock Warrants or debt securities ("Debt Securities"),
and the shares of common stock issued thereunder upon the conversion thereof;
and in the Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-11791) pertaining to the
Service Experts, Inc. 1996 Incentive Stock Plan, Service Experts, Inc. 1996
Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan and Service Experts, Inc. 1996 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan, of our report dated September 22, 1997, with respect to the
financial statements of Martin Mechanical Contractors, Inc., of our report dated
September 19, 1997 with respect to the financial statements of E.L. Payne
Company, of our report dated September 21, 1997 with respect to the financial
statements of Getzchman Heating & Sheet Metal Contractors, Inc., and of our
report dated September 18, 1997 with respect to the financial statements of
Teays Valley Heating and Cooling, Inc. included in this Current Report on Form
8-K dated September 26, 1997, filed with the Securities and Exchange
Commission.


                                          /s/ Ernst & Young LLP


Nashville, Tennessee
September 25, 1997