How to Choose an HVAC Contractor in Houston

To choose an HVAC contractor in Houston, start with three things: confirm the company's Texas license with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), ask for proof of insurance, and get a written estimate that spells out the equipment and the scope of work. After that, look at how they diagnose or size the job. A contractor who checks your home before quoting is usually a better bet than one who gives a price over the phone.

Those steps take less than an hour, and they'll filter out most of the problems homeowners run into. Here's how to do each one, plus what to watch for.

Verify the Texas License

In Texas, air conditioning and refrigeration contracting is licensed by the state through TDLR. A company doing this work should have a licensed contractor behind it, and the number should be easy to find on its website, proposals and invoices.

Checking it is free. Go to the TDLR website, open the license search, and enter the company name or the license number. Look for three things:

• The name matches. The business on the license should be the business you're hiring, or clearly connected to it.
• It's active. An expired license is a reason to stop and ask questions.
• The class fits. The prefix usually tells you the license type. TACLA is a Class A contractor license, which has no limit on system size, and TACLB is Class B, which covers smaller systems. Either can be fine for a typical house.

TDLR also takes complaints against licensees and can take action against them, so a licensed contractor has real oversight. An unlicensed one doesn't.

For reference, Safe Air's Texas license is TACLA00101303E. You can check it yourself on the TDLR site, and we'd encourage you to do the same with any company you call.

Ask for Proof of Insurance

Texas requires licensed HVAC contractors to carry liability insurance. Ask for a certificate of insurance and check that the dates are current. If someone gets hurt in your hot attic, or a mistake causes water damage to your ceiling, you want it covered by the contractor's policy and not sorted out afterward. It's also fair to ask how the company covers its workers if someone is injured on your property.

Anyone handling refrigerant must also hold an EPA Section 608 certification. Asking about it is a quick way to tell who takes the rules seriously.

Get Written Estimates, and Read Them

A number on the back of a business card isn't an estimate. For a new system, a useful written estimate should include:

• Brand and full model numbers for both the indoor and outdoor equipment
• SEER2 rating, and capacity in tons
• What's included: the thermostat, drain work, electrical, duct changes, permit, and disposal of the old unit
• Warranty terms for parts and labor, and whether anything must be registered
• Payment terms and the expected timeline

Comparing bids is much easier when each one lists the same details. If one bid is far lower than the others, find out what's missing before you decide it's a bargain. Be cautious about paying a large share up front.

For a repair, ask what caused the failure, what part is needed and what it'll cost before work starts. Ask about the service call fee as well. Practices vary. At Safe Air, estimates for new systems are free, there's a service fee for repair visits, and the technician reviews options and price before starting.

Look for a Real Sizing Process

A new system shouldn't be sized by matching the old one or by square footage alone. The industry method is a load calculation, known as Manual J, that accounts for insulation, windows, orientation and air leakage. That matters in Houston, because an oversized system shuts off before it has removed enough moisture, so the house can feel clammy even at the right temperature.

A good contractor will also look at your ductwork. A new system connected to leaking or undersized ducts won't deliver what the label promises. Ask to have the ducts inspected, and read about duct design and replacement if you want to know what they should be looking for.

Ask about permits as well. The City of Houston and many other Texas cities require a permit for a system replacement, and the contractor normally pulls it. An inspection adds a second set of eyes on the work.

Red Flags Worth Noticing

Most contractors are honest, but these are worth a second thought:

• A price given without looking at your home or system
• Pressure to sign today, or a deal that expires tonight
• A recommendation to replace a system with no clear diagnosis
• A refrigerant "top off" with no mention of finding the leak
• A license number nobody can provide
• Door-to-door offers after a storm or a heat wave
• Reluctance to put anything in writing

Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Keep it simple. A good company will answer these easily:

• Are you residential-focused, or is most of your work commercial?
• Who will actually do the work?
• Which equipment brands do you install, and are you an authorized dealer?
• What happens if something isn't right after the job is done?
• Do you offer emergency service, and how does it work?
• Can I see the load calculation?

Dealer status is easy to confirm too. Safe Air is a Lennox Premier Dealer and an authorized Trane dealer, which means installations use Lennox or Trane equipment. Whichever company you consider, you can check a dealer claim on the manufacturer's website. Reviews are helpful as well, as long as you read a range of them and look at how the company responds when something goes wrong.

Talk It Through

If you're comparing contractors, we're glad to be one of the estimates you collect. Safe Air is a licensed, residential HVAC contractor serving Houston, Austin and San Antonio, founded in 2012. See our AC installation and replacement page for how we approach new systems, or look at financing options if you'd like to spread out the cost. To set up a visit, call (281) 305-9493 or contact us online.