Resources
Learning Center
Straight answers about heating and cooling in Greater Houston — from troubleshooting to choosing a new system.
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Step 1 · Learn
Figure out what's going on with your system and what's safe to check yourself.
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Step 2 · Compare
Weigh repair against replacement, and one system type against another.
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Step 3 · Act
Financing, incentives, maintenance and getting a technician out.
Learn
All Troubleshooting guides →
Troubleshooting
What's wrong, what you can safely check, and when it's time to call a technician.
- Learn AC Running but Not Cooling? 7 Causes Houston Techs Check First When an AC runs but doesn't cool, the cause is usually one of seven things: a wrong thermostat setting, a clogged air filter, an outdoor unit without power, a dirty co… Read the guide →
- Learn AC Won't Turn On After a Power Outage: What to Check Before You Call An AC that won't start after a power outage usually needs a reset, not a repair. Check that the thermostat has power and the right settings, wait a few minutes for the… Read the guide →
- Learn Heat Pump Blowing Cold Air in Heat Mode: Defrost, Reversing Valve and Other Causes A heat pump blowing cool air in heat mode is often normal: a defrost cycle briefly switches it to cooling to melt frost on the outdoor coil, and heat pump air naturall… Read the guide →
- Learn House Feels Humid With the AC On? Why It Happens in Houston A house feels humid with the AC on when the system lowers the temperature without removing enough moisture. Common causes are an oversized or short-cycling system, a t… Read the guide →
- Learn Why Is My AC Short Cycling? Causes, Risks and Fixes AC short cycling means the system runs only a few minutes, shuts off early and restarts, over and over. Common causes are an oversized system, a poorly placed or faili… Read the guide →
- Learn Heat Pump Maintenance Checklist for Houston's Year-Round Cooling Season A Houston heat pump needs everything an AC tune-up covers plus heating-mode checks: the reversing valve, defrost controls and backup heat strips. Because Houston's coo… Read the guide →
- Learn Hurricane Season HVAC Checklist: Before, During and After the Storm Before a hurricane, get your HVAC system serviced, clear loose objects around the outdoor unit, photograph your equipment and check carbon monoxide detectors. During t… Read the guide →
- Learn Rooftop Unit (RTU) Maintenance Checklist for Small Houston Businesses A rooftop unit (RTU) should be inspected before cooling season and again before heating season, with filters changed in between as often as they load. A full RTU check… Read the guide →
- Learn What Happens During an AC Tune-Up (and What a Good One Includes) An AC tune-up is an annual inspection, cleaning and measurement visit, best done in spring in Greater Houston. A good one cleans the outdoor and indoor coils, clears t… Read the guide →
Learn
All How HVAC Works guides →
How HVAC Works
Plain-language explanations of ratings, refrigerants, heat pumps and HVAC terms.
- Learn How a Heat Pump Works — and Why It Fits Houston's Climate A heat pump heats and cools a home by moving heat instead of making it. In summer it works like a central air conditioner; in winter a reversing valve runs the cycle b… Read the guide →
- Learn SEER2 Ratings Explained: Texas Minimums and What the Numbers Mean SEER2 is the federal rating for how much cooling a central air conditioner or heat pump delivers per unit of electricity over a season; higher means more efficient. Te… Read the guide →
- Learn The Refrigerant Change, Explained: R-410A, R-32 and R-454B in 2026 New home air conditioners are moving from R-410A to lower-impact A2L refrigerants such as R-32 and R-454B under the federal AIM Act. In May 2026, the EPA removed the J… Read the guide →
- Compare Furnace Repair vs. Replacement: When a Houston Furnace Is Worth Fixing A Houston furnace is usually worth repairing when the failure is a routine part, such as an igniter, flame sensor, switch or motor, and the heat exchanger and venting… Read the guide →
- Compare Heat Pump vs. AC + Gas Furnace in Houston: Which Costs Less to Run? In Houston, a heat pump and an AC with a gas furnace cost the same to run in summer, because both cool with the same refrigerant cycle. The difference is heating, and… Read the guide →
- Compare Repair or Replace Your AC or Heat Pump? A Decision Framework for Houston Homes Repair your AC or heat pump when the system is well within its expected life, the fix is a single component, and it uses R-410A or a newer refrigerant. Price a replace… Read the guide →
- Compare Rooftop Unit Repair vs. Replacement for Small Commercial Buildings Repair a rooftop unit when a single component has failed, the cabinet, coils and curb are sound, and the unit is not breaking down repeatedly. Replace it when the comp… Read the guide →
- Compare Single-Stage vs. Two-Stage vs. Variable-Speed AC for Humid Houston Homes A single-stage AC runs only at full output, a two-stage AC adds a lower stage for most days, and a variable-speed AC adjusts continuously. In humid Houston, the longer… Read the guide →
Compare
All Cost Guides guides →
Cost Guides
What drives the price of a new AC, heat pump or furnace — and how to compare quotes.
- Compare What Does AC Replacement Cost in Houston? What Drives the Price There is no honest single price for AC replacement in Houston. The installed cost depends on the system size a Manual J load calculation calls for, the SEER2 efficienc… Read the guide →
- Compare What Does Furnace Replacement Cost in Houston? What Drives the Price The installed cost of a gas furnace in Houston depends on the efficiency tier, since an 80% AFUE furnace and a 90%-plus condensing furnace need different venting, plus… Read the guide →
- Compare What Does Heat Pump Replacement Cost in Houston? What Drives the Price The installed cost of a heat pump in Houston depends on the capacity a Manual J load calculation calls for, the SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings and compressor type, the matche… Read the guide →
- Learn Do You Need a Permit to Replace an AC in Greater Houston? City-by-City Guide In most incorporated Greater Houston cities, yes: replacing an AC, heat pump or furnace needs a mechanical permit from the city. Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland, M… Read the guide →
- Learn Replacing an AC in The Woodlands: Township Covenant Rules to Know First The Woodlands Township's 2024 Residential Development Standards (§2.2) set the rules for outdoor AC units. Replacing a unit in the same location with a color-compatibl… Read the guide →
Act
All Financing & Rebates guides →
Financing & Rebates
Financing, utility incentives, tax-credit status, maintenance plans and emergency help.
- Act 24/7 Emergency HVAC Service in Houston: What to Expect When You Call JHC Cooling & Heating runs a 24/7 emergency HVAC line at (832) 447-3233 for Greater Houston. Before you call, make sure everyone is safe: if you smell gas, leave and c… Read the guide →
- Act CenterPoint Energy HVAC Rebates and the Free ComfortCheck AC Tune-Up CenterPoint Energy Houston Electric offers residential HVAC incentives that start at $200 and may increase depending on your installation. The incentive is applied dir… Read the guide →
- Act How HVAC Financing Works With JHC Cooling & Heating (FTL Finance) JHC Cooling & Heating offers HVAC financing through FTL Finance, the business name of FTL Capital Partners LLC (NMLS 2133635). Financing is available, subject to credi… Read the guide →
- Act HVAC Tax Credits in 2026: What Ended, What's Left, and Texas Rebate Status Federal HVAC tax credits are not available for 2026 work. According to IRS Fact Sheet 2025-05, the 25C credit ended for property placed in service after December 31, 2… Read the guide →
- Act The JHC Cooling & Heating Maintenance Plan: What It Covers The JHC Cooling & Heating maintenance plan is, in the company's words, "$300 annually for a maintenance plan ($175 winter / $175 summer)." It covers cleaning condenser… Read the guide →
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