Heating & Cooling guides

Air conditioning, heating, heat pumps and ductless — how they work, what they cost, and when to repair vs. replace in Fort Bend's long cooling season.

• How it works How does a heat pump work? A heat pump doesn't make heat — it moves it. A refrigerant loop absorbs heat from one place and releases it in another, and a reversing valve flips the direction so the same machine both cools your home in summer and heats it in winter.
• Compare options AC vs. heat pump: which is right for a Fort Bend home? Both cool your home the same way. The difference is winter: an air conditioner only cools and pairs with a separate furnace, while a heat pump also heats by running its cycle in reverse — which suits Fort Bend's mild winters and long cooling season.
• Repair or replace Should I repair or replace my air conditioner? Repair a newer unit with a small, isolated fault. Lean toward replacement when the system is past 10–15 years, uses phased-out R-22 refrigerant, needs a major part like the compressor, or the repair approaches a third of a new system's cost.
• How it works Why is my AC running but not cooling? An AC that runs but won't cool usually comes down to airflow or refrigerant: a clogged filter or frozen coil chokes airflow, while a refrigerant leak or a failed capacitor or compressor stops the cooling itself. Some you can check; others need a technician.
• Maintenance & seasonal How often should I service my AC in Fort Bend? Service your AC at least once a year, ideally in spring before the cooling season starts. In Fort Bend's long runtime, a spring tune-up plus a fall check on a heat pump keeps efficiency up and catches small problems before a peak-summer breakdown.
• What it costs What does AC replacement cost in Fort Bend County? A complete AC or heat pump replacement in Fort Bend County typically runs about $5,500–$14,000 installed, depending on system size, efficiency (SEER2) and your home's ductwork. These are planning ranges, not quotes — your exact price is quoted in writing before any work.
• How it works What is a ductless mini-split? A ductless mini-split is a heat pump that skips the ductwork: an outdoor unit connects to one or more wall or ceiling indoor heads by a small refrigerant line. Each head cools and heats its own zone, which is ideal for additions, garages and rooms central air can't reach.
• Repair or replace Why is my AC freezing up? Ice on an AC means the coil got too cold, almost always from restricted airflow or low refrigerant. A dirty filter, blocked vents or a failing blower starve airflow; a refrigerant leak drops the pressure. Turn the system off to thaw, then find the cause.
• What it costs What does heating replacement cost in Fort Bend? A complete furnace or heating replacement in Fort Bend County typically runs about $3,500–$8,500 installed, depending on the equipment, capacity and any venting or ductwork changes. These are planning ranges — your exact price is quoted in writing before work begins.