Coming soon
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We don't have a verified, scope-normalized Austin figure yet.
Status: not yet verified
Free Austin AC Risk Check
How much life does your AC actually have left?
Answer a few quick questions about your system, symptoms and history. We combine your answers with Austin conditions to show what deserves attention first.
FreeAbout 2 minutesNo phone requiredNot an HVAC diagnosis
Start My AC Risk Check →
Right now, you can see your initial risk result without giving us your email.
Your AC Risk Report — example result, not your home's actual score
Priority: check soon
Example score: 74
Looks at system age, cooling performance, repair history and current Austin heat load — then tells you what to check first, what can probably wait, and whether repair-vs-replacement signals apply.
Address → Questions → Personalized resultAbout 2 minutes, no phone number required to see it.
Your report looks at more than your answers
Built around your AC, your home and what's happening in Austin.
Your answers tell us what you're experiencing. Local and property data helps us understand the context around it.
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Current Austin weather
Heat, freezes, storms and near-term conditions can put extra stress on HVAC equipment.
Value: Loading… (—)Last checked: loading…
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Property & permit history
Available Austin records can add context about previous HVAC replacements and mechanical work at your address.
See the permit guide →🌡️
System age & history
Age, repairs, maintenance and recurring symptoms help determine what actually deserves attention — not age alone.
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Local energy costs
Current electricity pricing helps turn HVAC efficiency and operating costs into real dollars.
See the cost calculator →🔧
HVAC service-life data
Published equipment-life data gives useful context around older systems, without implying age alone means failure.
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Austin costs & regulations
Replacement pricing, labor context, permits and contractor requirements help you decide what to do after risk has been assessed.
See Austin market data →30.2672° N / 97.7431° W • AUSTIN, TEXAS
Free Austin Home CheckSatellite property viewRisk result firstNo phone required
Start with the property
Which home are we checking?
We'll use the address to show the property, add Austin-specific context and keep the assessment tied to one home.
Austin Home Intelligence provides educational prioritization tools, not an onsite inspection or diagnosis.
Need an HVAC pro now?
Want an Austin HVAC professional to contact you?
Tell us what you need help with. We'll use the job type and your location to connect you with a relevant local professional.
HVAC cost calculator
What does it cost to keep an AC running where you live?
A working estimate you can refine — and a transparent note on which parts of it are verified today.
Before you approve AC work
Four things to check before you say yes.
1
Repair or replacement?
Don't let system age alone make the decision. Consider repair cost, repair frequency, cooling performance, energy efficiency, remaining warranty and replacement cost together.
2
What's actually included?
A useful quote should make the scope visible: exact equipment model, tonnage/capacity, SEER2, labor, electrical work, duct changes, thermostat, disposal, permits and warranty.
3
Does the work require a permit?
A full system replacement in Austin generally needs a mechanical permit pulled by a licensed contractor. See the full permit guide →
4
Are you solving the actual problem?
Poor cooling can also come from ducts, airflow, insulation, undersized returns, sizing, or thermostat/control issues — not just the equipment itself.
Austin HVAC market data
What Austin homeowners are actually seeing.
We normalize prices by scope. A basic 3-ton replacement isn't compared directly with a 5-ton high-efficiency system that also includes ductwork and electrical work.
Coming soon
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Repair pricing varies too much by component to publish one range responsibly today.
Status: not yet verified
Coming soon
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We're building scope-normalized replacement pricing by tonnage and efficiency.
Status: not yet verified
Austin construction labor
$27.53 / hour
Mean hourly wage for construction and extraction occupations in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos metro.
Data period: May 2025Released: Aug 13, 2026
Austin permit activity
2.37M+ permit records
Building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing records span 1980-present, published as a daily-updated dataset.
Dataset period: 1980-presentLast checked: Aug 21, 2026
If you need professional help
How we evaluate an Austin HVAC company.
Reviews and star ratings alone don't confirm sizing, permits, scope or warranty.
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Licensed
A verifiable Texas HVAC license appropriate to the work.
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Properly insured
Relevant liability/business coverage appropriate to the project.
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Actually serves your area
Real service coverage, not merely a directory page targeting every ZIP.
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Permit competent
Understands when permits and inspections apply and includes them in the scope.
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Complete quotes
Equipment model, capacity, SEER2, labor, permits, exclusions and warranty in writing.
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Clear availability
Realistic scheduling and emergency-response information.
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Reputation with context
Reviews and complaint history considered alongside credentials and scope.
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Warranty clarity
What parts and labor are covered, for how long, and important exclusions.
Need help now?Have an HVAC Professional Contact Me →
FAQ
Questions Austin homeowners actually ask about AC.
Why is my AC running but not cooling?
Common causes include a dirty filter or coil, low refrigerant, a failing capacitor or motor, blocked airflow, or a thermostat/control issue. Our free AC Risk Check walks through your symptoms to help narrow down what's most likely before you call anyone.
Should I repair or replace an older AC?
Don't let age alone decide it. Weigh repair cost, how often it's needed repairs, cooling performance, efficiency, remaining warranty and replacement cost together — see Before You Approve Work above.
How long does a central AC usually last?
Typically 15–18 years as a general reference range. Actual life varies with equipment, installation, climate, use and maintenance — it's a planning range, not a failure date.
How much does AC replacement cost in Austin?
It depends on tonnage, efficiency (SEER2), ductwork, electrical work and permits — which is why a single average is misleading. We're building a scope-normalized Austin pricing dataset; see the market data section above for current status.
Is $15,000 too much for a new HVAC system?
It depends on what's included — system size and efficiency, ductwork changes, electrical upgrades, permits, thermostat and warranty terms. Ask your contractor to itemize each before comparing quotes.
How much electricity does an AC use in Austin?
It depends on system size, efficiency, your home and how much you run it. We don't yet have verified local electricity-rate data to turn this into a dollar figure — see the calculator above for current status.
Can regular AC maintenance actually save money?
Airflow and maintenance problems can raise energy use for the same cooling output by roughly 15% in commonly cited estimates. That's a scenario, not a guaranteed savings number — actual savings depend on your system's current condition.
Why is upstairs hotter than downstairs?
Common causes include duct balancing, insulation differences, and undersized returns upstairs. Worth describing specifically to a technician rather than assuming it's simply that heat rises.
Do I need duct cleaning if my AC isn't cooling?
Not automatically — duct cleaning solves a specific set of problems (debris, contamination), not general cooling complaints. See our Duct Cleaning Check for a symptom-based answer.
Do I need a permit to replace my AC in Austin?
A full system replacement generally requires a mechanical permit pulled by a licensed contractor. Straightforward like-for-like repairs typically don't. See our Austin HVAC Permit Guide for details.
How do I choose an HVAC company in Austin?
Check licensing, insurance, whether they actually serve your area, permit competency, quote completeness, availability, reputation and warranty terms — see How We Evaluate an Austin HVAC Company above.
Can I see my AC risk result without giving you my email?
Yes. Right now you can see your initial risk result without an email. We may require one for full reports in the future, but it isn't required today.
Start free
If you've been meaning to check your AC, this is a good time to do it while the initial risk result is still ungated.
See your AC risk result before you schedule anyone.
You may not need someone at your house yet. Start with the free AC Risk Check to see what deserves attention, what may be worth monitoring, and when getting a professional opinion makes sense.
Start My Free AC Risk Check →About 2 minutes · No email required for your initial result · No home visitIf you've been meaning to check your AC, this is a good time to do it while the initial risk result is still ungated.