FAQ | Suntex Home Services (Houston, TX)
Suntex Home Services
(832) 617-5899

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers about energy assessments, HVAC, duct design, insulation, radiant barriers, and attic ventilation—built for Houston-area homeowners.

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Top questions

If you don't see your question here, call or email us — we'll help.

Before You Book
Is there a fee for the energy assessment?
There's typically a diagnostic fee for the Home Energy Assessment. It covers the testing (attic inspection, duct and static pressure testing, insulation measurement, and HVAC review) and the time we spend going over the results and your options with you. If you move forward with any work, the fee is credited toward your project. We'll confirm the fee when we schedule.
What happens if I don't want to move forward after the assessment?
Nothing. There is no obligation to purchase anything after the assessment. You'll have seen what's wrong, with photos from your home, what we'd fix, what we'd expect the result to be, and what each option costs. What you do next is entirely your call. We'd rather give you an honest answer than pressure you into something that doesn't make sense.
Who should be at the appointment?
Everyone who'll be part of the decision. At the end of the visit we go through what we found and your options, and it goes much better when you can see the photos and ask questions together instead of passing it along secondhand.
Can I compare your price with other companies?
Of course. Just compare the same job. Ask any company: Did they measure static pressure and compare it to the equipment's rating? Did they calculate the load room by room, or use "tons per square foot"? Did they check the return air and go into the attic? Do they install to airflow targets from a design? See the full list on our Energy Assessment page.
Do I get the duct design and equipment list?
Yes, once you choose an option. At the visit you'll see what's wrong, what each option fixes, and its price. The detailed install design (duct sizes and layout, equipment selection, balancing targets) is finalized for our crew and included with your agreement, because the design and the install go together.
Are you licensed and insured in Texas?
Yes. Suntex Home Services LLC is fully licensed and insured to perform HVAC, insulation, and home energy work in Texas (TDLR License #TACLB50460E). We're Houston-based and serve the communities we live in.
What is an energy assessment and what happens during the visit?
A diagnostic-first visit where we evaluate the whole home — comfort symptoms, attic conditions, insulation levels, ventilation, and airflow and duct performance. We use actual measurements: attic temperature, insulation R-value, static pressure, and duct leakage. The goal is to identify root causes of high bills and uneven temperatures before recommending any upgrades. Before we leave, we go over what we found and your options with you. Start here: Energy Assessment.
How long does an energy assessment take?
Most assessments take about 60–120 minutes depending on home size, attic access, and the issues you want us to evaluate. We don't rush it — a proper diagnosis takes time.
Do you offer financing?
Yes, financing options are available (terms vary by credit profile). We review options after identifying the right scope of work for your home. Start with a Home Energy Assessment so we know exactly what your home needs before talking numbers.
What areas do you serve?
We serve Houston and surrounding areas: Houston, Cypress, Katy, Tomball, Spring, Humble, Atascocita, Jersey Village, The Woodlands, Conroe, and Magnolia.
Common Comfort Problems
Why is my upstairs always hotter than downstairs?
Common causes include room-by-room load differences, attic/solar heat gain, duct design or leakage, return-path problems, airflow imbalance, controls, and equipment capacity. We measure the system before deciding whether the problem is distribution, load, equipment, or a combination. See: Why is my upstairs hotter than downstairs?
Why does my AC run all day but the house still won't cool down?
Long runtime can be normal near design conditions, but it can also point to excess load, duct leakage, airflow problems, low delivered capacity, controls, or equipment issues. The useful question is whether the system is maintaining temperature and humidity while operating within its expected performance. See: Why does my AC run all day?
Why is my electric bill so high in summer?
High summer bills can come from HVAC runtime, duct leakage, insulation/envelope losses, pool equipment, water heating, appliances, rate changes, or a combination. We compare usage patterns with home and HVAC measurements before blaming one component. See: Why is my electric bill so high in summer?
Why is there weak airflow from one vent or room?
Weak airflow at one room can come from a branch-duct restriction, leakage, balancing, register/grille selection, return-path problems, or a system-wide airflow/static-pressure issue. We compare the room problem with whole-system measurements before choosing a fix. See: Weak airflow in one room and Duct Design & Replacement.
Will insulation alone fix an upstairs comfort problem?
Sometimes it helps, but many upstairs comfort issues involve a combination of attic heat load, airflow and duct issues, and system sizing. We diagnose the full picture first so the fix is targeted rather than a guess. Learn more: Blown-In Insulation and Duct Design & Replacement. If your upstairs stays hot, see also: Why is my upstairs hotter than downstairs?
HVAC & Equipment
Should I repair or replace my AC unit?
It depends — but the question most companies skip is whether the problem is actually the unit. We see a lot of Houston homes where a replaced AC underperforms from day one because the attic, ductwork, or insulation around it were never addressed. Before spending money on replacement, it's worth diagnosing what's really causing the comfort issue or high runtime. A new unit in a properly diagnosed and treated home performs completely differently than one installed without that work. Learn more: A/C Replacement & Optimization and Home Energy Assessment.
Do you recommend upgrades without measurements?
No. We prefer to measure and inspect first so recommendations are based on evidence, not guesswork — especially for duct design, insulation depth, and attic ventilation balance.
How do I know if my ductwork needs to be replaced?
Signs include uneven room temperatures, weak airflow from specific vents, high static pressure readings, visible kinks or collapsed sections in attic flex duct, and systems that run longer than they should despite a functioning AC unit. We test duct performance during the assessment — static pressure, leakage, and airflow distribution — before recommending any duct work. Learn more: Duct Design & Replacement.
Insulation & Attic
What R-value insulation do I need in Houston?
ENERGY STAR retrofit guidance for Climate Zone 2 recommends R-49 for an uninsulated attic and R-38 when roughly 3–4 inches of insulation is already present. We measure actual depth and coverage and estimate R-value from the insulation type and measured depth during the assessment, and we consider air sealing and the existing assembly before setting a target. Learn more: Blown-In Insulation.
What is a radiant barrier and does it actually work?
A radiant barrier is a low-emittance material installed facing an air space to reduce radiant heat transfer from the roof toward the attic. Its impact depends on roof exposure, insulation, ventilation, duct location, and the rest of the attic assembly, so we evaluate those conditions before recommending it. Learn more: Radiant Barrier.
Do solar attic fans always help?
Not always. Fans can help in the right conditions, but they must be paired with adequate intake ventilation and a proper overall ventilation strategy to work correctly. Without sufficient intake, a fan can create negative pressure in the attic and actually pull conditioned air out of the home. We evaluate your existing ventilation before recommending any fans. Learn more: Solar Attic Fans & Ventilation.
Solar & Energy Savings
Will solar panels lower my electric bill?
Solar can offset energy consumption, but if the underlying home has high energy losses — leaky ducts, poor insulation, no radiant barrier — the offset often doesn't match projections. We actively advise many Houston homeowners to fix the home first. Once you reduce waste, solar pencils out far better. And in some cases, fixing the home's energy performance eliminates the need for solar entirely. Learn more: Why is my electric bill so high?
Is there one “good” static-pressure number for every HVAC system?
No. Total external static pressure has to be compared with the installed equipment’s rated maximum and blower-performance data. We also separate return-side, supply-side, filter, coil, and duct pressure drops to find the restriction. Read our static-pressure guide.
What is the difference between Manual J, Manual S, and Manual D?
Manual J calculates the heating and cooling load. Manual S selects equipment using that load and manufacturer performance data. Manual D designs the duct system around room airflow, blower performance, and pressure loss. Read our Manual J guide.
What indoor humidity should I target in Houston?
EPA recommends keeping indoor relative humidity below 60% when possible and ideally between 30% and 50%. If the home stays humid with the AC running, we evaluate sizing, airflow, runtime, controls, duct leakage, and moisture entry before recommending a dehumidifier. Read the humidity guide.
Ready to get a clear plan?
Start with an energy assessment and we’ll recommend the right path.
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