By Hood Service Company · Corsicana, TX · Updated
The short version
- Start with an estimate that looks at your home, ductwork and existing equipment, not just the old unit's size.
- Texas HVAC work must be done by a contractor licensed through TDLR.
- Hood pulls the required HVAC permits and registers your new equipment with the manufacturer.
- Financing through Wells Fargo, Synchrony and Snap Finance is available, subject to credit approval and lender terms.
What happens before installation day?
Before installation, you get an estimate, choose equipment, settle payment or financing, and the required permits are pulled. A good estimate looks at your home, ductwork and current system, not just the old unit's label.
Use the estimate visit to ask how the system was sized and exactly what the job includes. Our guides to load calculations and comparing quotes list the questions worth asking. You can request a free estimate from Hood to get started.
How do you choose the new equipment?
Choose by system type, size, efficiency and comfort features. Common options include a central AC with a furnace, a heat pump, a hybrid system that pairs the two, or ductless mini-splits for spaces ducts don't serve well.
A hybrid system uses a heat pump most of the time and a gas furnace as backup. Ductless mini-splits work well for additions, garages and rooms the ducts don't reach. If you're deciding between fuel types, see heat pump vs. gas furnace.
Efficiency has a floor. Since Jan 1, 2023, new split-system equipment installed in Texas, part of DOE's Southeast region, must meet DOE minimums: 14.3 SEER2 for central AC below 45,000 Btu/h, 13.8 SEER2 at 45,000 Btu/h and above, and 14.3 SEER2 / 7.5 HSPF2 for split heat pumps. New residential systems are also moving to lower-GWP refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32 under the EPA's AIM Act rules. The SEER calculator helps you compare efficiency levels.
What paperwork and approvals are involved?
Texas HVAC work must be done by a contractor licensed through TDLR. Permit requirements depend on your city or county, and Hood pulls the required HVAC permits. Hood also registers your new equipment with the manufacturer.
Some jurisdictions follow a permit with an inspection. Ask what applies at your address so you know whether anyone else will need access to the equipment after installation.
Keep your own copies of the invoice, model and serial numbers, and warranty documents, and ask what warranty coverage applies to your equipment. Payment is part of the paperwork too: Hood offers financing through Wells Fargo, Synchrony and Snap Finance, subject to credit approval and lender terms.
How should you prepare for installation day?
Clear a path to the indoor equipment and the outdoor unit, make the attic or closet accessible, keep pets away from the work, and plan for heating or cooling to be off while the system is swapped.
- Move stored items away from the furnace, air handler and attic access.
- Clear plants, furniture and decor from around the outdoor unit.
- Plan for pets and kids to stay clear of open doors and work areas.
- Ask how long the system will be off, and plan around the weather, especially in summer heat.
What should happen once the new system is running?
The system should be started up and tested, and you should get a walkthrough of the thermostat, the filter location and your paperwork. Then keep up regular maintenance from the first season.
Ask where the filter goes and what size it takes, how the thermostat is set up, and where the condensate drain runs. Write the model and serial numbers down with your records.
New equipment still needs tune-ups. Every tier of the Hood Comfort Club includes two tune-ups a year, spring and fall, plus priority service and discounts on plan work. Our guide to what HVAC maintenance includes explains those visits.
What problems should you watch for in the first few weeks?
Watch for rooms that don't heat or cool evenly, water around the indoor unit, unusual noises, short cycling, or a thermostat that won't hold its setting. Report anything like that early.
New equipment can make existing duct problems more noticeable. If airflow seems weak in some rooms, see weak airflow and ductwork problems. For more on heat pump projects specifically, see heat pump installation and replacement.
When should you call a technician?
- The new system short cycles, turning on and off every few minutes.
- Water collects around the indoor unit or shows up on a ceiling below an attic unit.
- A room that was comfortable before now runs noticeably warmer or cooler.
- You hear rattling, grinding or hissing that wasn't there at startup.
- You smell gas: leave the house first, then call the gas utility or 911 from outside.
Frequently asked questions
How long does an HVAC replacement take?
It depends on the job. A like-for-like swap is simpler than changing system types, moving equipment or modifying ductwork. Ask for an expected schedule with your estimate.
Can I keep my existing ductwork?
Often, if it's in good condition and sized for the new system. A contractor should inspect it and tell you whether repairs or changes are needed before the new equipment goes in.
Will my new system use the same refrigerant?
Probably not if your current system is older. R-22 production and import ended Jan 1, 2020, and new residential systems are moving to lower-GWP refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32. Ask how your quote handles compatibility between the new equipment and your refrigerant lines.
What should I do with my paperwork?
Keep the invoice, permit records, model and serial numbers and warranty documents together. Hood registers your new equipment with the manufacturer, but your own copies help with warranty questions and future service.