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Questions to ask before you hire an HVAC contractor in Houston

In Houston, the air conditioner fights two battles at once: heat that lingers for months and humidity that makes a house feel clammy even when the thermostat says it is cool. Air handlers and ducts sweating in hot attics, condensate drains that clog and overflow, hurricane-season power outages, and street flooding that can reach outdoor units all shape what a good HVAC job looks like here. Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) licensing, City of Houston or suburban permits, and utility efficiency programs also affect what a solid quote should include. Use these questions to compare Houston-area HVAC contractors on verified credentials, real sizing for heat and humidity, and a written scope, not just who can come out today.

Questions to ask

1. Do you hold a Texas TDLR air conditioning and refrigeration contractor license, and can I see the license number?

Why it matters: In Texas, air conditioning and heating work is licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). Companies generally operate under an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Contractor license, and the license class and endorsements determine what size systems and which kinds of work they can take on. Technicians working under that license are generally required to be registered or certified with TDLR as well. Ask for the exact contractor license number, look it up on TDLR’s license search to confirm it is active and in the right class, and ask who the licensed contractor responsible for your job actually is. Ask for a current liability insurance certificate too.

2. Which technicians on my job hold EPA Section 608 certification, and are they trained on the newer A2L refrigerants?

Why it matters: Anyone who opens a refrigerant circuit needs EPA Section 608 certification. Many newer systems sold since the federal refrigerant transition use A2L refrigerants (such as R-454B or R-32), which have their own handling and installation requirements. Ask who on the crew is certified, whether they have installed the refrigerant your proposed system uses, and how they recover refrigerant from the unit they remove. If your current system still runs on R-22, ask plainly whether repair still makes sense or whether replacement is the honest answer.

3. Will you run a Manual J load calculation that accounts for Houston humidity, not just heat, instead of matching the old unit’s tonnage?

Why it matters: In a humid climate, an air conditioner has to remove moisture (the latent load) as well as lower the temperature. A Manual J (or equivalent) load calculation should account for local design conditions, insulation, windows, shading, air leakage, and duct location. Ask to see the results in writing. Oversizing is a common Houston mistake: a unit that is too big cools the air quickly and shuts off before it pulls out enough moisture, leaving rooms cold but sticky and raising mold risk. Ask how the proposed equipment handles moisture removal, and whether a variable-speed or two-stage system makes sense for your house.

4. How will you control indoor humidity, and do I need a whole-home dehumidifier or different airflow settings?

Why it matters: Indoor humidity that stays high can lead to musty smells, condensation on vents, and mold on walls, closets, or duct surfaces. Ask what indoor humidity level they aim for, whether they will check the blower’s airflow setting (fan speeds set too high can reduce moisture removal), and whether a dedicated whole-home dehumidifier would help, especially in tightly sealed or spray-foam homes and during mild, damp spring and fall weather. A good contractor should measure before recommending add-ons and explain what each option costs to run.

5. What will you check on the attic air handler, ducts, and condensate drain, including the secondary pan and shutoff switch?

Why it matters: Many Houston homes have the furnace or air handler and most ductwork in hot attics. Ask whether they will inspect and pressure-test the ducts, and what sealing, insulation, or repair they recommend, since leaky or poorly insulated attic ducts can pull in hot, humid air and sweat onto ceilings. Condensate is a big deal here: ask how the primary drain is routed and cleared, whether there is a secondary drain pan with a float or overflow shutoff switch, and how they will keep the drain from clogging with algae. An overflowing drain pan above a ceiling is one of the most common and preventable water-damage calls. In older homes, ask how they handle duct wrap or materials that could contain asbestos; suspect material should be tested before anyone disturbs it.

6. Who pulls the permit with the City of Houston or my local building department, and is the final inspection included?

Why it matters: Replacing an air conditioner, heat pump, or furnace often requires a mechanical permit, and new electrical or gas work may need its own permits. Inside city limits, permits go through the City of Houston’s permitting office; Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, League City, Katy, and other area cities run their own building departments, and unincorporated areas and some master-planned communities follow county or local rules. Ask who pulls the permit, who schedules the inspection, and whether those fees are in the quote. If you live in an HOA, ask whether unit placement or a condenser stand needs approval. A discount for skipping the permit shifts the risk to you at resale and in any insurance claim.

7. Would a heat pump or a straight AC with a gas furnace make more sense for my house?

Why it matters: Many Houston homes pair central air with a gas furnace, but because winters are mostly mild, heat pumps are a common alternative. A good contractor should explain the trade-offs for your home: cooling and dehumidification performance in summer, how the system heats during the occasional hard freeze, operating cost under your electricity plan and gas rates, electrical panel capacity, and what happens to any existing gas line. Ask for side-by-side quotes if you are undecided, and be wary of anyone who pushes one answer without looking at your home.

8. How will you protect the outdoor unit from hurricanes, flooding, and outages?

Why it matters: Gulf storms bring high winds, heavy rain, and power outages that can last days, and some neighborhoods see street or yard flooding. Ask whether the outdoor unit should sit on a raised stand or pad in your location, how it will be anchored or strapped against wind, and whether they recommend surge protection. If your home is in a mapped floodplain, ask whether local floodplain rules affect how high equipment must be set. If you have or plan a standby generator, ask whether it can run the AC and what that requires. And if the outdoor unit has been underwater, do not turn it back on until a qualified technician inspects it.

9. Which utility or efficiency programs might apply, and will you handle the paperwork?

Why it matters: In much of the Houston area, CenterPoint Energy delivers electricity and often natural gas, while you buy power from a retail electric provider you choose; efficiency incentives may come through the utility, through your provider, or not at all, and those programs change. Federal tax credits for home energy equipment have also changed recently, so do not rely on a contractor’s summary. Ask which programs the contractor participates in, whether eligibility depends on specific equipment ratings (such as SEER2 or HSPF2), and who submits the application. Get any promised rebate amount in writing as an estimate, not a guarantee, and verify current rules directly with the program.

10. What does the written estimate include: model numbers, drain and duct work, electrical work, disposal, and a labor warranty?

Why it matters: A good quote lists the exact indoor and outdoor model numbers, efficiency ratings, thermostat, line set, pad or stand, condensate drain and secondary pan work, any duct repair or sealing, any electrical upgrades (breaker, disconnect, or panel work), permit fees, and disposal of the old equipment. Ask how they handle surprises like a corroded line set, a rusted drain pan, or attic access problems, and require a stop-and-call change-order process before extra work. Get the manufacturer warranty and the contractor’s labor warranty in writing separately, and confirm who registers the equipment so the manufacturer warranty applies.

11. How do you handle no-cooling calls during heat waves and after storms, and can you give me recent Houston-area references?

Why it matters: In a Houston summer, or after a storm knocks out power, losing air conditioning can quickly become a health and safety issue, especially for older adults, young children, and pets, and every HVAC company in the metro gets busy at once. Ask what their response time looks like for existing customers during heat waves and post-storm surges, what after-hours or weekend rates apply, and whether a maintenance plan actually moves you up the list. Be cautious with out-of-town crews that appear after a major storm; verify the TDLR license either way. Then ask for two or three recent local references for similar jobs and housing types. References tell you about punctuality, cleanup, and whether the system was set up right the first time, which star ratings alone often miss.

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