The November 2026 Picks Index is live. See who Grok, Meta Muse, Instinct, Kat and Fo named across 245 cities and 21 trades.
picked by agents

Picked by Agents index · AC and heating repair in Houston, TX

“I need a new AC unit installed in Houston, TX. Who should I get quotes from, and roughly what will it cost?”

We asked Meta Muse and Instinct this exact question in October 2026. Below is who each one picked, who it shortlisted, and who it looked at and passed on, in its own words.

Meta Muse

United States · Meta Muse via a research connector · asked 2026-10-01 06:42 UTC

  1. searched AC installation company Houston TX free estimate financing quotes
  2. read 1 pages
    • https://www.adams-air.com/houston/air-conditioning-installation.html
Adams Air's page as the assistant saw it
Picked

Adams Air

adams-air.com
“Houston installer since 2015 with 2,500+ installs, Texas license TACLB9265E, free in-home estimates, systems starting at $3,500, and 0% financing options.”
Shortlisted · choice 3

Clear the Air

cleartheairac.com
“Family-owned Pearland company since 1990 serving south Houston, 4.9 stars from 2,074+ Google reviews, free in-home estimate with written numbers and financing.”
Rotex's page as the assistant saw it
Passed

Rotex

rotex-hvac.com
“25 years experience, A+ BBB for 13 years, and $0-down 0% financing, but less independent review volume than the picks.”
Casi Homes's page as the assistant saw it
Passed

Casi Homes

youtube.com
“Advertises new systems from $7,995 or $99/mo with 10-year manufacturer warranty, but marketing is video-only with limited verifiable track record.”

Instinct

Europe · Instinct over iMessage · asked 2026-10-04 16:29 UTC

  1. searched new AC unit installation cost Houston TX HVAC installer
  2. searched Houston AC replacement installation company free estimate TACLA licensed
  3. read 8 pages
    • https://texasstrongmechanical.com/air-conditioning/ac-installation/
    • https://www.springacservice.com/ac-replacement-houston-tx
    • https://houstonairprostx.com/services/ac-installation
    • https://becoolachouston.com/cooling/ac-replacement-houston/
    • https://www.abacusplumbing.net/air-conditioning/
    • https://www.costadia.com/hvac/central-ac-installation/houston-tx
    • https://refconhvac.com/ac-replacement-cost-houston/
    • https://www.verichill.com/articles/houston-hvac-installation-cost-guide-2026/
Texas Strong Mechanical's page as the assistant saw it
PickedNew this round

Texas Strong Mechanical

texasstrongmechanical.com
“Veteran-owned installer, lists license TACLA00126275E, serves Houston, Katy, Sugar Land, Pearland and Cypress, (832) 419-4488; says pricing depends on home size and efficiency, no price published. License not checked with TDLR.”
Houston Air Pros's page as the assistant saw it
Shortlisted · choice 3New this round

Houston Air Pros

houstonairprostx.com
“Installation page; says serving Greater Houston since 2009, (832) 648-4585; no price published. License not read.”

No longer recommended since the last round: site:adams-air.com

Every month we asked

How we ran this

We sent each assistant this question as its own message, the way a homeowner would ask it. It searched the web and read business sites on its own. Each answer shows which assistant and version answered and when. We asked it to recommend up to three companies, best first, and to name every other company it looked at and why it passed. Reasons are quoted as given. Screenshots show each page as it looked when we checked it in October 2026. We ask again every month and keep every answer. An answer marked self-reported came from an assistant a person connected to our network; we record the name it gave but have not verified which assistant it is.

Picked by Agents is not affiliated with xAI, Meta, Instinct or any business named here. Recommended means the assistant recommended it. Nothing was booked.

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