FAQ
HVAC Repair Questions — Richardson, TX
The questions Richardson homeowners actually ask.
What is the $5,000 rule for HVAC?
Multiply your system's age in years by the estimated repair cost. If the result is over $5,000, replacement is usually the better decision. A $400 repair on a ten-year-old system gives you $4,000, so fix it. That same repair on a twenty-year-old system gives you $8,000, and you should think hard about putting money into it. It is a rule of thumb rather than a law, and we will walk through your actual numbers with you.
How much is a typical HVAC service call?
Ours is $89 flat, and it is credited to your repair if you go ahead. After-hours emergency calls are $149, also credited. Across the Dallas area you will generally see $75 to $150 for a diagnostic. What you should never accept is a firm repair price over the phone from a company that has not seen the system.
What are the most common HVAC repairs?
By a wide margin, capacitors and contactors, which is good news because they are also among the cheapest. After those: condenser fan motors, blower motors, refrigerant leaks, clogged condensate drains, failed thermostats, and igniters or flame sensors on the heating side. Compressor and coil failures are the expensive ones and the least common.
What is the average life expectancy of an HVAC system?
Central AC systems generally last 12 to 15 years, heat pumps 10 to 15, and furnaces 15 to 25. In North Texas, expect cooling equipment toward the lower end. Our systems run far more hours per year than they would in most of the country, and hours are what wear equipment out.
What AC brands should I stay away from?
Installation quality matters more than brand. A well-installed mid-tier system properly sized for the house will outlast a premium system that was oversized, charged wrong, or connected to ductwork that cannot move the air. Most major brands are built by a handful of parent manufacturers. Since we do not sell systems, we have no brand to talk you into, and we repair all major brands.
Do you charge for the diagnostic if I do not go ahead with the repair?
Yes, $89, and that is all you owe. No trip charge on top, no hourly add-on. If you do go ahead, the $89 comes off your repair total. If you do not, you have paid $89 for a proper diagnosis and a straight answer.
How fast can you get here?
Most Richardson calls get a same-day slot. Emergency no-cool and no-heat calls are answered 24/7, including nights, weekends and holidays. We will give you a realistic arrival window on the phone rather than an optimistic one.
Will you try to sell me a new system?
No. We do not sell replacement systems at all. When a repair is the right answer, we repair it. When it is not, we tell you the system needs replacing, explain why, and then get out of the way so you can collect quotes from replacement companies.
Still have a question?
Call and ask — it’s free, and we won’t put you through a sales pitch.