Get Quotes from Top HVAC Contractors in Austin, TX

Are You Licensed to Practice as an HVAC Contractor in Austin?

Before hiring an HVAC contractor, it is always in your best interest to make sure that they have been duly licensed for the job. Per Section 1302.453 of the Texas Occupations Code, it is illegal for any person to intentionally partake in air conditioning as well as refrigeration contracting in Austin without being appropriately licensed. The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) is the agency responsible for receiving HVAC license applications, reviewing, and approving said applications, and issuing HVAC licenses. Any person looking to have an HVAC license may acquire either a Class A or Class B license.

A contractor with a Class A license can carry out air conditioning or refrigeration work on a unit of any size. On the other hand, a Class B license holder is limited to air conditioning or refrigeration units of 25 tons or less and an output of 1.5 million btu per hour. In order for a person to be eligible for an HVAC license, interested parties must fulfill the following requirements:

• They must not be below the age of 18
• They must have a minimum of four years of practical experience in work relating to air-conditioning and refrigeration under the guidance of a licensed air conditioning and refrigeration contractor in the previous 6 years. Alternatively, they must have, at a time, been in possession of a technician certification for the past year and have a minimum of 3 years of practical experience in work relating to air-conditioning and refrigeration. Note that this experience must be gotten under the guidance of a licensed air-conditioning and refrigeration contractor in the past 4 years.

You can confirm the licensing status of your intended HVAC contractor by utilizing the TDLR license search portal.

How Much Do You Charge Compared to Other HVAC Contractors in Austin?

Obtaining and comparing cost estimates from different HVAC contractors will give you a sound idea of the overall cost of your intended HVAC project. Hourly wages differ from contractor to contractor, depending on the scale of the work, the cost of materials, the cost of obtaining permits, and the level of difficulty of the work to be carried out. Nonetheless, the mean hourly wage for HVAC contractors in Austin is around $22.

An HVAC Contractor in Austin earns an annual average wage of $46,210. The table below provides a cost comparison of the mean hourly wages for HVAC contractors in Austin against those of HVAC Contractors in the rest of the State of Texas as well as other major cities in the United States:

Do You Comply with Austin Building Code for HVAC Work?

You must ensure that any HVAC contractor you wish to hire is conversant and familiar with the Mechanical Code of Austin, which is adopted from the 2021 Uniform Mechanical Code. The Mechanical Code regulates and governs the erection, installation, alteration, maintenance, and use of mechanical systems within Austin. It also provides for the minimum requirements and standards to ensure the safety, well-being, and health of the public. Failure to adhere to the provisions of this code can lead to city and state-imposed civil and criminal sanctions. Thus, hiring an HVAC contractor who has proper knowledge of the relevant laws not only ensures that your job is done professionally but also helps you avoid possible code violations and the penalties that come with them.

Queries concerning the code requirements for HVAC work in Austin can be made by contacting the city's Development Services Department via phone number 311 or by email.

Will You Get the HVAC Permits as Required by Austin Code?

Residents of Austin are required to obtain an HVAC permit before commencing any erection, installation, alteration, repair, and replacement of HVAC systems within your home or building. Note that, per Section 5.5.3 of the Austin Building Criteria Manual, only a registered and adequately licensed HVAC contractor can pull these permits. However, some HVAC-related jobs are exempt from this requirement. You should note that HVAC works that do not require permits must still follow Code standards and requirements. The following are a few examples of HVAC works that do not require permits:

• Work involving portable HVAC devices, appliances, and equipment
• Work that involves the installation of self-contained refrigerators or freezers
• Work involving refrigerating equipment that is a component of equipment that requires the issuance of a permit under the Code
• Works that involve the replacement or relocation of controls and thermostats less than 24 volts
• Servicing and repairing ice machines

The Permitting and Development Center (PDC) under the city's Development Services Department is responsible for receiving and reviewing permit applications. Additionally, the Center also issues permits after permit applications have been approved. Permit applications can be completed by utilizing this department's online Service Center Request Form.

Applicants will be required to submit HVAC plans alongside their permit application in duplicate and should be drawn to scale. Additionally, plans can either be in print or ink as long as they can sufficiently show your plans are in accordance with the provisions of all applicable Codes. Note that these plans are typically not required for work involving one-family or two-family dwellings.

Inquiries concerning the Austin permitting process and procedures can be directed to the PDC at (512) 978-4504.

What Kind of HVAC Services Do You Offer?

HVAC contractors who operate within Austin provide a variety of HVAC services. These services include installation, repair, and replacement services for residential and commercial structures. In the process of searching for a competent HVAC contractor in Austin, it is essential you ensure that the contractor you find can adequately provide the particular service you need, as some HVAC contractors specialize more on certain types of HVAC works. For example, an HVAC contractor who just specializes in the installation of a split system will most likely not have the necessary skill and ability to install a hybrid split system.

HVAC services in Austin cost between $144.00 and $451.00. The following is the cost of different HVAC services within Austin:

You should note that these prices do not include the cost of obtaining a permit or inspection fees.

Do You Offer Emergency HVAC Services in Austin?

You may require the services of an HVAC contractor near you due to urgent HVAC issues that need to be resolved as soon as possible. Typical instances of these types of issues include defective fans and heat exchangers, and damaged thermostats and refrigerators. These issues require urgent attention and leaving them unattended can result in unnecessary energy use, which in turn increases the cost of your utility bill.

As such, you must ensure to address any malfunctions or defects in your HVAC system as soon as possible by reaching out to qualified HVAC contractors near you. You can find these contractors by getting referrals from friends and family or via online platforms like the Better Business Bureau. Note that you should always confirm the licensing status of any HVAC contractor that you intend to hire before finalizing any arrangements with them. You can do this by utilizing the online license search portal provided by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

Do You Carry the Necessary Insurance Policy for HVAC Contractors in Austin?

In 2020, there were 7,900 non-fatal occupational injuries involving HVAC contractors in the United States. Hiring an HVAC contractor with the necessary insurance coverage will offer you the financial protection you need against on-the-job injuries or accidents. To this end, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation provides minimum liability insurance requirements for all HVAC contractors that wish to operate in Austin. These insurance requirements vary by license class. Class A license holders must have minimum insurance coverage of $300,000 per occurrence for property damage and bodily injury, while Class B license holders are must have minimum insurance coverage of $100,000 per occurrence for property damage and bodily injury.

You may contact the TDLR for more information on its insurance requirements for HVAC contractors by calling (512) 978-4504. To confirm if the HVAC contractor you want to hire holds the required insurance coverage, request a copy of their insurance certificate and contact the organization responsible for issuing this certificate to authenticate it.