Trade directory · Houston metro · Texas

HVAC contractors in
Houston, Texas.

A public directory of hvac contractor businesses serving greater Houston. Market data, licensing requirements, and cost benchmarks — updated continuously from public sources.

Employer Establishments

8,320

U.S. Census Bureau

Peak Season

May through September. Demand peaks in June-July when temps consistently exceed 95°F. Secondary demand spike in late winter (February-March) for maintenance checks before peak cooling season.

Market estimate

Avg. Response Time

1-2 business days for quote callbacks in Houston market. Emergency calls typically get same-day or next-morning response. Larger commercial projects may take 3-5 days for detailed proposals.

Operator average

Avg. Hourly Wage

$28/hr

Bureau of Labor Statistics

§ J · OPEN JOBS

HVAC jobs in Houston

00 OPEN

0 open jobs in Houston.

The controlled job pilot is not open yet.

§ A · Market rates

Common Job Costs

HOUSTON-TX · LOCAL ESTIMATES

Service

Description

Cost Range

AC Unit Installation (3-5 ton residential)

Typical range based on local ac unit installation (3-5 ton residential) jobs.

$4,500 – $8,000

Annual Maintenance & Tune-up

Typical range based on local annual maintenance & tune-up jobs.

$150 – $300

Compressor Replacement

Typical range based on local compressor replacement jobs.

$1,800 – $3,500

Ductwork Installation (500 sq ft home)

Typical range based on local ductwork installation (500 sq ft home) jobs.

$2,000 – $4,500

Emergency Repair Service Call

Typical range based on local emergency repair service call jobs.

$250 – $600

Heat Pump Installation (Residential)

Typical range based on local heat pump installation (residential) jobs.

$5,000 – $9,000

§ B · Regulatory

Licensing Requirements

§1

Licensing Requirements

Texas requires HVAC contractors to hold a State Board of Plumbing Examiners (SBPE) license. License types: Class A (unrestricted), Class B (limited to systems under 25 tons), Class C (service and repair only). Exam prerequisites: 8,000 hours documented experience (approx. 4 years), passing the Texas HVAC state exam (covers Code, safety, technical). License renewal every 2 years; 12 continuing education hours required per renewal cycle. All journeymen must be registered with SBPE.

§2

Permit Requirements

Houston requires HVAC permits for all new installations, replacements, and major modifications filed through the City of Houston Department of Housing and Community Development. Residential permit fees range $75-$250 depending on project scope. Commercial projects require detailed mechanical drawings, energy code compliance review (IECC 2015 minimum). Permits typically take 3-7 business days for residential, 5-15 days for commercial. All work must pass final inspection before system energization.

§3

Inspection Schedule

Initial rough-in inspection (ductwork, piping before concealment). Final inspection after installation, including pressure tests, airflow verification, and refrigerant charge confirmation. Commercial projects require additional pre-startup commissioning review. Houston Building Department typically conducts inspections within 24-48 hours of request.

§4

Insurance Minimums

Texas does not mandate specific HVAC insurance minimums by state law, but most commercial contracts require $1,000,000 general liability and $500,000-$1,000,000 workers compensation. Residential contractors typically carry $300,000-$500,000 GL. Equipment coverage recommended for vehicles and tools ($25,000-$50,000).

§ C · ReadyDocs Compliance

Compliance research unavailable

View source dossier ↗

Source status: unavailable · 7/12/2026

Detailed instructions are withheld because the source is not available for verification.

§ M · DoorBase

Local market snapshot

181 ZIPs

Population3,206,570

Household income$69,860

Home value$334,300

Median rent$1,525

Unemployment4.30%

Job growth0.70%

Source: DoorBase, aggregated public ZIP-level data. Updated 7/17/2026.

§ C · Path to license

How to Get Licensed

6 STEPS

Step 1: Accumulate 8,000 Work Hours

Document HVAC work experience under supervision of a licensed journeyman or Class A contractor. Hours must be verified by employer and submitted to SBPE. Most techs complete this through registered apprenticeship programs (2-5 years) or direct employment with signed hourly logs. Keep detailed records—SBPE audits submissions. Hours must cover installation, repair, maintenance, and troubleshooting across residential and commercial systems.

01/06

Step 2: Complete Required Classroom Training

Enroll in HVAC technical training through an accredited program (community college, trade school, or apprenticeship sponsor). Curriculum covers EPA certification (Section 608), refrigerant recovery, system design, electrical components, code compliance, and safety. Most programs integrate with apprenticeship; standalone classroom is 4-6 weeks intensive. EPA Section 608 certification is mandatory before you can touch refrigerants—get this before applying for license.

02/06

Step 3: Register as an Apprentice (if applicable)

If pursuing apprenticeship path, register with Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) registered apprenticeship program or through SBPE directly. Apprenticeship combines paid field work (under licensed supervision) with classroom instruction. Non-apprentice route: document 8,000 hours of field experience with employer verification. Either path is acceptable; apprenticeship provides structured oversight and faster hour accumulation.

03/06

Step 4: Pass the SBPE Exam

Schedule and take the Texas HVAC licensing exam administered by SBPE. Exam covers Texas Administrative Code (16 TAC), National Electrical Code (NEC), mechanical codes, HVAC-specific technical knowledge, and safety practices. Prep courses are widely available (4-8 weeks, $200-600). Pass rate is ~70-80% for prepared candidates. Exam costs ~$200. You must have documented hours and classroom training before attempting the exam. Retakes are allowed with additional fee.

04/06

Step 5: Submit License Application to SBPE

Complete SBPE application form with proof of 8,000 work hours (employer verification), classroom completion certificates, EPA 608 certification, and exam passing score. Include social security number, citizenship verification, and any criminal background disclosure. Processing takes 2-4 weeks. SBPE may request additional documentation or verification from your previous employers. Once approved, pay license fee (~$100-150 for initial license) and receive official certificate. License is valid for 2 years.

05/06

Step 6: Maintain License with Continuing Education

Every 2 years, complete 12 continuing education hours from SBPE-approved providers before license renewal. Topics include code updates, new technologies, safety practices, and business compliance. Courses are available online and in-person; cost ranges $50-300 for the 12-hour block. Renewal application must include CE completion certificates, renewal fee (~$150), and signed affidavit. Submit 90 days before expiration. Failure to renew results in license suspension and work stoppage.

06/06

§ D · Field notes

About This Market

UPDATED APR 2026

Houston's HVAC market runs year-round with brutal demand. You've got ~8,320 licensed shops statewide, but Houston's metro area alone pulls significant volume—sprawling residential suburbs, ongoing commercial development, and brutal heat that pushes systems hard. Residential AC replacement dominates (older units failing in 15-20 year cycles), but commercial retrofit work and new construction tie-ins keep commercial crews busy. Costs run high because Houston's humidity and heat load drive bigger tonnage than most markets; labor is tight, material costs are stable to rising, and competition forces thin margins if you're not efficient. Peak season May-September is when you make your year.

To work this market: get your Class A HVAC license from SBPE—that means 8,000 documented hours of work, passing their exam, and staying current with 12 CE hours every 2 years. Houston permits are non-negotiable; factor 5-10 days into every job timeline and budget $100-250 for residential permits alone. Know the 2015 IECC energy code cold—inspectors enforce it. Insurance minimums aren't state-mandated but you'll need $1M GL to bid commercial work; residential you can operate leaner but don't. Your crew's hourly loaded cost is ~$28/hour median BLS rate, but Houston's supply-constrained labor market means experienced techs command $35-45/hour. Schedule maintenance contracts aggressive—that's recurring revenue in a market where AC failures are predictable and seasonal.

Data Sources

Median hourly wage for HVAC technicians
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment Statistics, May 2023 data
Number of licensed HVAC establishments in Texas
U.S. Census Bureau County Business Patterns, 2022
Peak season timing and demand patterns
Historical HVAC repair call data and Texas weather patterns (National Weather Service, Houston area)
Licensing requirements and exam structure
Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners (SBPE) Administrative Code Title 16, Chapter 25
Houston permit requirements and timelines
City of Houston Department of Housing and Community Development, Building Permits Division
Insurance industry standards
Texas Department of Insurance and HVAC contractor association benchmarks
Continuing education requirements
SBPE Licensing Rules and Renewal Procedures, Title 16 TAC §25.476

§ E · FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

05 QUESTIONS

Q/01

What's the actual cost to replace an AC unit in Houston?

Residential AC replacement (3-5 ton) runs $4,500-$8,000 installed. Price depends on unit efficiency (SEER 14-18 vs. higher), accessibility, existing ductwork condition, and whether you're doing full system replacement or compressor-only. Tier-1 brands (Carrier, Lennox, Trane) run ~20% higher than secondary brands. Labor is 40-50% of total cost. Factor permit fees ($75-150) and inspection into bids. Commercial units cost 2-3x residential for comparable tonnage due to control complexity and code requirements.

Q/02

How long does it take to get an HVAC license in Texas?

Minimum 4 years. You need 8,000 documented work hours (counted by SBPE) plus classroom/on-the-job training. Most techs complete this through apprenticeship programs (2-5 years) or documented field experience. Then exam prep (4-8 weeks typical), pass the SBPE exam, and submit license application with proof of hours. Total timeline: 4-6 years from zero experience to Class A license. Apprentices can work under supervision earlier; journeymen must be registered.

Q/03

Do I need a permit for every HVAC job in Houston?

Yes. Houston requires permits for new installations, replacements, and major modifications. Service calls and repairs without system replacement are exempt. Residential permit processing takes 3-7 days; commercial 5-15 days depending on design review. Permit cost is $75-$250 residential (based on project value), $200-$800+ commercial. Work without a permit triggers violations, fines up to $2,000+, and failed insurance claims. Always pull permits—non-negotiable in Houston.

Q/04

What insurance do I need to bid HVAC work in Houston?

Minimum recommendation: $1,000,000 general liability for commercial work, $300,000-$500,000 for residential-only shops. Workers compensation is required if you have employees (regulated by TWC, not optional). Equipment/tools coverage ($25,000-$50,000) protects vehicles and service rigs. Commercial GCs typically require proof of $1M GL before contract signing. Cost runs $40-$150/month depending on claims history and payroll. No state-mandated minimum for residential, but don't operate naked—one lawsuit wipes you out.

Q/05

When is peak season for HVAC work in Houston?

May through September, with June-July hitting hardest when temps consistently exceed 95°F and demand outpaces supply. Secondary peak February-March when homeowners schedule maintenance before summer. Off-peak is November-January (mild winters mean less heating demand, fewer emergency failures). Plan staffing and material inventory for peak—you can pull 60-70 hour weeks in summer. Winter is maintenance contract season and commercial retrofit work; use it to catch up on admin and crew training, not downtime.

§ F · Directory