HVAC Technician prices in Houston, TX
| Project | Time | Typical cost | Range |
|---|
| Diagnostic service call (no parts) |
45–90 min |
$67 |
$55 – $81 |
| Annual AC or furnace tune-up |
60–90 min |
$124 |
$102 – $149 |
| AC repair (capacitor / contactor / minor part) |
1–3 hours |
$302 |
$247 – $362 |
| Refrigerant recharge (R-410A, residential) |
1–2 hours |
$361 |
$296 – $433 |
| Smart thermostat install |
1 hour |
$268 |
$220 – $322 |
| Gas furnace replacement (80% AFUE, 80k BTU) |
1 day |
$2,764 |
$2,267 – $3,317 |
| Heat pump replacement (3-ton, 16 SEER) |
1–2 days |
$6,320 |
$5,183 – $7,584 |
| Mini-split install (single zone, 12k BTU) |
1 day |
$2,301 |
$1,886 – $2,761 |
| Whole-home duct cleaning |
3–5 hours |
$325 |
$267 – $390 |
Local rate = BLS national mean × 2.4 markup × (TX COL 92.7/100). Materials adjusted by the same factor.
What a hvac technician in Houston actually does
A residential HVAC technician services, repairs, and installs forced-air furnaces, central AC, heat pumps, mini-splits, and ductwork. A diagnostic visit typically includes static-pressure measurement, refrigerant pressure (for cooling systems), temperature differential between supply and return, electrical-component testing (capacitor microfarad, contactor pull-in, transformer voltage), and ignition or burner inspection on heating equipment. Installations require Manual J / Manual D / Manual S calculations to size the equipment correctly — beware any installer who skips these and recommends "the same size you have now."
Questions to ask before you hire in TX
- Are you NATE-certified, and is your company licensed and insured in this state?
- For a replacement: did you run a Manual J load calculation, and can I see it in writing?
- What SEER2/HSPF2 is the equipment you're quoting, and what's the AHRI match number?
- Does the quote include duct sealing, thermostat, condensate pump (if needed), and permit?
- What's the labor warranty, and is the manufacturer warranty registered in my name?
- Will you provide commissioning data (subcooling/superheat, static pressure) at completion?
"Same-size replacement" without a load calc, refrigerant-only quotes that don't address the leak, and any installer who pushes the largest unit without explaining why.
9 licensed hvac technicians in Houston
Houston Temperature
📍 7735 Magnolia Ln, Houston, TX 77002
★ 4.6 / 5 · 199 reviews · 20 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured 24/7 Emergency 20 yrs
Specialties: Duct cleaning, Heat pump replacement, Mini-split install
Capitol Heating & Cooling
📍 9559 Madison Way, Houston, TX 77010
★ 4.1 / 5 · 287 reviews · 22 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 24/7 Emergency 22 yrs
Specialties: Refrigerant recharge, Boiler service, AC repair, Furnace install
Local HVAC
📍 3244 Cedar Rd, Houston, TX 77003
★ 3.6 / 5 · 302 reviews · 38 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 24/7 Emergency 38 yrs
Specialties: Refrigerant recharge, Annual tune-up, Heat pump replacement, AC repair
Hometown Mechanical
📍 2253 Garden Pl, Houston, TX 77002
★ 3.6 / 5 · 333 reviews · 32 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 32 yrs
Specialties: Refrigerant recharge, Air-quality test, Heat pump replacement, Furnace install
Express Thermal
📍 1711 Madison Ct, Houston, TX 77010
★ 4.9 / 5 · 263 reviews · 38 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 24/7 Emergency 38 yrs
Specialties: Air-quality test, Thermostat install, AC repair, Refrigerant recharge
Allen Heating & Cooling
📍 116 Meadow Rd, Houston, TX 77003
★ 5.0 / 5 · 26 reviews · 37 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A- 24/7 Emergency 37 yrs
Specialties: Annual tune-up, Boiler service, Mini-split install, AC repair, Thermostat install
Houston Cool Breeze
📍 2582 Lincoln Ln, Houston, TX 77002
★ 4.1 / 5 · 374 reviews · 37 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured 24/7 Emergency 37 yrs
Specialties: Annual tune-up, Air-quality test, Boiler service, Heat pump replacement, Refrigerant recharge
Houston Comfort Air
📍 3424 Park Blvd, Houston, TX 77010
★ 4.2 / 5 · 310 reviews · 19 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A 24/7 Emergency 19 yrs
Specialties: Air-quality test, AC repair, Annual tune-up
Pacific Comfort Air
📍 4627 Oak Ct, Houston, TX 77003
★ 3.7 / 5 · 346 reviews · 10 years in business
✓ Licensed ✓ Insured BBB A+ 24/7 Emergency 10 yrs
Specialties: Boiler service, Duct cleaning, Mini-split install
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Seasonal hvac checklist for Houston homeowners
Spring
- Schedule an AC tune-up before May; pros are 30–40% cheaper in shoulder season than during the first July heatwave.
- Replace HVAC filters (every 30–90 days depending on type and pets).
- Hose down the outdoor condenser coil and clear at least 2 feet of vegetation around it.
- Test the AC by setting it to 5°F below indoor temperature; it should kick on within 30 seconds and the supply registers should blow noticeably cool air within 5 minutes.
Fall
- Schedule a furnace or heat-pump tune-up before October.
- Replace HVAC filters again going into heating season.
- Clear leaves from around the outdoor condenser/heat pump and cover the top only (never wrap the sides).
- Test CO detectors near gas-burning appliances; replace batteries.
- Run the furnace for 10 minutes before the first cold snap; address any odd smells, banging, or short-cycling now.
Winter
- Keep furniture and rugs at least 6 inches off supply registers and return-air grilles.
- Inspect attic insulation; less than R-30 is the #1 reason heating bills run high in older homes.
- Defrost outdoor heat-pump coils once every 2–3 weeks during sustained cold.