Hail-Damaged AC? Replacement Options in DeSoto, TX

Short answer: If a storm hit your outdoor AC unit, take photos before anything gets touched, ask your insurer what your policy covers, and call us. We'll look at the unit and walk you through whether it needs to be replaced.

North Texas gets a lot of hail

Texas is in the top three states for severe hail every year. The state had more than 14,000 significant hail events between 2000 and 2023, and North Texas is one of the most active areas. April and May are the peak months.

Your outdoor unit sits out in the open, so it takes the hit. A storm that barely touches your roof can still leave dents in the top of the unit or bend the thin metal fins on the sides.

First, take photos

Before anyone repairs or removes anything, take clear photos of the unit from a few angles. Get the top, the sides and any close-ups of damage. If you file a claim, those photos are your record of what the storm did.

Then call your insurer

We can't tell you whether your policy covers an outdoor AC unit. That depends on the policy, so ask your insurer directly. Ask about your wind and hail deductible while you're on the phone.

Many Texas policies use a separate wind and hail deductible, set as a percentage of the home's insured value instead of a flat amount. In North Texas, 2% is common and some insurers use 3%. Your policy will have the real number.

We don't handle claims and we don't work with your insurer. What we do is look at the unit and tell you what we see.

Replace it or keep it

A damaged unit isn't always a dead unit. Whether it makes sense to replace depends on how bad the damage is and how old the system is. Hail on a 15-year-old AC is a different conversation than hail on a young one.

If the unit has stopped working, see emergency AC replacement. If you're not sure what to do, the repair or replace checklist can help.

How it goes

1. You call and tell us what the storm did.
2. We confirm the details and book a time.
3. We look at your system.
4. We walk you through your options before any work starts.
5. If you replace it, we remove the old unit, set the new one and test it before we leave.

Good to know

A new AC has to meet a minimum rating. For a split system under 45,000 BTU/h in Texas, that's 14.3 SEER2 if it's installed on or after January 1, 2023.

Ask about the license. Texas licenses air conditioning contractors through TDLR. Ask any company you talk to for its TDLR license number.

Ask about permits. The City of DeSoto says permits are required for mechanical work its codes cover. Ask any company whether your job needs one.

Questions

Storm hit your AC?

Call us, tell us what you see, and we'll talk it through.