Most people pick an HVAC company the same way: the heat goes out on a cold night, they search on their phone, and they call whoever answers first. That’s understandable. It’s also how homeowners end up with surprise bills, unnecessary replacements, or a repair that doesn’t last through the winter.

Here in Spring and north Houston, heating systems sit unused from spring until the first real cold front, usually in late October. That means a lot of people need help on the same few nights each year, and that’s exactly when it’s hardest to think clearly. The best time to vet a company is before you need one.

These are the questions we’d ask if we were hiring someone to work on our own furnace or heat pump.

1. Are you licensed in Texas, and what’s your license number?

In Texas, HVAC contractors are licensed by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR). A legitimate company will give you its license number without hesitation. Texas air conditioning and heating license numbers usually start with “TACL.”

How to check it: go to the TDLR website, use the free license search, and enter the number or company name. You’ll see whether the license is active. It takes about a minute, and it’s the single easiest way to filter out people you shouldn’t let into your attic.

 2. Are you insured?

Heating work often happens in attics, on ladders and around gas lines and high voltage. Ask whether the company carries general liability insurance and workers’ compensation. If an uninsured worker gets hurt in your home, you don’t want to be the one sorting it out.

 3. Do you charge a diagnostic fee, and does it go toward the repair?

Most companies charge something to come out and find the problem. That’s fair, because diagnosis takes skill and time. What matters is that you know the amount before the technician arrives, and whether it’s credited toward the repair if you go ahead. A company that won’t tell you over the phone what the visit costs is a company that may surprise you later.

 4. Will I get the price before you start working?

You should never find out the cost of a repair when the invoice shows up. Ask whether the technician will explain what’s wrong and give you a price you approve before any work begins. For bigger jobs, ask for it in writing.

 5. Can you show me what’s wrong?

A good technician can point to the problem: the cracked igniter, the burnt wire, the dirty flame sensor, the reading on the meter. Many will take a photo. If a part gets replaced, you can ask to see the old one. This isn’t about distrust. It’s about understanding what you’re paying for.

If you’ve been hearing odd sounds before the system failed, mention them. Our guide to strange heater noises explains what the common ones usually mean.

 6. Is this a repair or a replacement recommendation, and why?

Sometimes replacement really is the smarter move: an older system with an expensive failure, repeated breakdowns, or a heat pump that still uses R-22 refrigerant. But replacement is also the biggest sale a company can make, so it’s fair to ask why.

Good questions here: How old is my system? What will the repair cost compared to a new system? How long is the repair likely to hold? An honest answer will include both options with real numbers, not just a push toward the expensive one. If you do end up comparing new systems, you can read about heating replacement options before you talk to anyone.

 7. If my furnace gets “red-tagged,” can you show me why?

A red tag means a technician believes your gas furnace is unsafe to run, often because of a suspected crack in the heat exchanger, which can leak carbon monoxide. Take this seriously. If someone red-tags your furnace, keep it turned off and make sure your carbon monoxide detectors are working.

It’s also reasonable to ask to see the evidence: a photo, a camera inspection, or a combustion test reading. A real crack can be shown. And because a red tag almost always leads to a replacement quote, a second opinion before you spend thousands of dollars is a normal, sensible step. Just keep the furnace off until you have one.

 8. What warranty comes with the repair?

Ask two separate questions: how long are the parts covered, and how long is the labor covered? Manufacturer parts warranties and the company’s own workmanship guarantee are different things. If the same problem comes back in three weeks, you want to know whether the return visit is on them or on you.

 9. What are your real hours, and who answers after them?

“24/7” can mean a technician will actually come out at 2AM, or it can mean an answering service takes a message until morning. Neither is wrong, but you should know which one you’re getting. Ask what hours technicians are actually dispatched, whether evenings and weekends cost extra, and what happens if your heat goes out at midnight.

 10. Do you work on my type of system?

Homes around Spring use gas furnaces, electric heat strips and heat pumps, sometimes two different systems in the same house. Ask whether the company regularly works on your type and brand. A heat pump that won’t heat and a gas furnace that won’t light are very different problems.

 Red Flags to Watch For

•       A replacement quote given over the phone without anyone looking at your system.
•       “Today only” pricing that pressures you to decide before you can think.
•       Scary safety claims with no proof. Real safety problems can be shown or measured.
•       No license number, or a number that doesn’t come up active on the TDLR search.
•       No written price for anything beyond a small repair.
•       Cash only, or a request for full payment before the work is done.

 Check Reviews the Smart Way

Star ratings help, but the details help more. When you read reviews, look for:

•       Reviews that mention heating, furnaces or heat pumps, not just AC work.
•       Recent reviews from the last few months, not only old ones.
•       How the company responds to the occasional bad review. Calm and specific is a good sign.
•       Mentions of technicians by name. That usually means real, repeat customers.

 Use a Tune-Up as a Test Run

Here’s a low-risk way to find a company you trust: book a fall heating tune-up before you have an emergency. You’ll see how they schedule, whether they show up on time, how clearly they explain things and whether they push upsells. If you like them, you already know who to call on the first cold night. If you don’t, you found out for the price of a tune-up instead of a repair.

 How KAC Express Answers These Questions

We wrote this guide because we think every homeowner should ask these questions, including to us. Here are our answers:

•       License and insurance: licensed and insured in Texas. 
•       Hours: technicians work 7AM to 10PM, seven days a week. We don’t claim to be open overnight.
•       Second opinions: welcome, especially on replacement quotes.
•       Systems: gas furnaces, electric furnaces and heat pumps, all makes and models. We’re a Trane Comfort Specialist.
•       Guarantee: 100% satisfaction guarantee.

If you’d like to see what a heating visit with us looks like, including typical costs, it’s all on one page. You can also read what our customers say.

 Frequently Asked Questions

 How do I check if an HVAC contractor is licensed in Texas?

Use the free license search on the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) website. Enter the contractor’s license number or company name to confirm the license is active. Texas HVAC license numbers usually start with TACL.

 Should I get a second opinion if my furnace is red-tagged?

Yes, a second opinion before replacing a furnace is reasonable. But keep the furnace off until it’s checked again, because a red tag usually means a suspected carbon monoxide risk. Ask the first technician to show you the evidence, such as a photo or combustion test reading.

 Is it normal to pay a diagnostic fee for heating service?

Yes. Most HVAC companies charge a diagnostic or service call fee because finding the problem takes time and skill. Ask for the amount before the visit, and ask whether it’s credited toward the repair if you go ahead.

 Do I need three quotes before a repair?

Usually not for a normal repair, since getting multiple companies out while you have no heat costs time and diagnostic fees. Multiple quotes make more sense for a full system replacement, which is a much bigger expense.

 What warranty should an HVAC repair come with?

Ask about two things separately: the parts warranty, which often comes from the manufacturer, and the labor or workmanship guarantee from the company itself. Both should be explained clearly before work starts.

 

Ask for the license number and check it. Know the visit cost before anyone arrives. Get the price before work starts. Ask to see the problem. Get a second opinion on any big replacement or red tag, and keep the furnace off in the meantime. A good company will be glad you asked.

Have a question about your heating system? Call KAC Express at (832) 326-5687. We’re happy to answer it, even if you’re not ready to book.