Top 7 HVAC companies in Horry, South Carolina

Horry County, South Carolina, lists a population of 354081. This shortlist ranks seven HVAC companies drawn from public listing data collected on 2026-08-16. Companies are ranked by a Bayesian-adjusted rating: a company's star rating is pulled toward the national mean of 4.764 until it has enough reviews to stand on its own. Small tie-breakers apply for a public website, for being listed as an HVAC specialist rather than a general contractor, and for published 24/7 availability. This is a shortlist built from public listing data, not a review of work performed.

The shortlist

Tri-County Mechanical, Inc.

Tri-County Mechanical, Inc. operates from 1041 Redi Mix Rd, Little River, SC 29566 and lists a 5-star rating across 43 reviews. Its adjusted score reaches 4.963 after the Bayesian adjustment pulls the raw 5.0 down toward the national mean of 4.764; the gap of 0.037 reflects the moderate review count. The firm appears as a general contractor and publishes 24/7 availability, which supplies the tie-breaker points that secure first place. Its phone number is (843) 399-0203. These numbers do not reveal whether the firm maintains proper staffing during peak summer calls.

Airbear Heating and Cooling SC

A 5-star rating from 28 reviews gives Airbear Heating and Cooling SC an adjusted score of 4.938. The raw 5.0 is drawn down 0.026 by the national mean because the review total remains modest. The firm lists from 349 Boundary Ave, Murrells Inlet, SC 29576, operates under a Services category, and posts 24/7 availability. Call (843) 945-3333. The listing category and hours suggest broad service coverage rather than narrow HVAC specialization.

North Strand Mechanical Heating & Cooling

North Strand Mechanical Heating & Cooling holds a 4.9 rating from 61 reviews and an adjusted score of 4.895. The raw rating sits 0.136 above the national mean, so the adjustment lowers it only slightly given the larger review count. It operates from 220 Industrial Way, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579 as a general contractor without 24/7 listing and can be reached at (843) 272-4915. The numbers leave open the question of how the firm schedules non-emergency residential changeouts.

American Services

American Services records 59 reviews at 4.9 stars for an adjusted score of 4.894. The Bayesian step reduces the raw rating by 0.136 because of the national mean and the solid review volume. Located at 1149 Bethpage Dr, Myrtle Beach, SC 29579, the firm lists as a general contractor and answers calls at (843) 861-9970. The data cannot show whether its crews carry specialized training for high-humidity coastal installations.

South Carolina Mechanical

South Carolina Mechanical shows 27 reviews at 4.9 stars and an adjusted score of 4.888. The raw rating drops 0.136 toward 4.764 given the smaller sample size. It works from 5555 US-501, Conway, SC 29527 as a general contractor with published 24/7 availability and lists the phone number (843) 333-1494. The availability signal improves its rank, yet the figures give no detail on response times during summer peaks.

Duct Brothers Heating Air Conditioning

Duct Brothers Heating Air Conditioning earns a 5-star rating from 26 reviews and an adjusted score of 4.874. The raw 5.0 is pulled down 0.236 by the national mean because the review count is low. It operates from 1465 Dirty Branch Rd, Conway, SC 29527 as a general contractor without 24/7 listing and can be reached at (843) 353-7027. The absence of a website removes one tie-breaker that higher-ranked firms possess.

Tech Service Heating/Cooling & Spray Foam

Tech Service Heating/Cooling & Spray Foam lists 41 reviews at 4.2 stars for an adjusted score of 4.478. The raw rating sits 0.564 below the national mean, so the adjustment lifts it 0.278; the larger review count limits how far the score moves. Located at 2617 Shoffner Rd, Conway, SC 29527, the firm appears as a general contractor and answers (843) 488-1571. The numbers cannot indicate whether recent performance has improved since the reviews were posted.

How to choose

State license lookup at verify.llronline.com shows whether a contractor holds the required Residential HVAC Installer or Group 2 Mechanical license. Local building departments issue permits separately. Firms that publish 24/7 availability and maintain a public website receive small ranking advantages in this shortlist.

Cost data

Installed costs for a full system range from $7,600 to $9,300 according to one source, while 2025 invoiced averages reach $19,089 with an upper quartile of $26,280. Labor is listed at $90 per hour and permit fees fall between $90 and $300. The two cost sources disagree, which itself supplies useful information about project scope and market variation. Horry sits in a lower cost tier versus national figures.

Local climate demands

Horry County falls in IECC zone 3A with 2,300 heating degree days and 2,200 cooling degree days. Summer design temperature reaches 96 °F with very high humidity, producing a cooling-leaning mixed load. Heat pumps suit the market well and central air conditioning is near universal. Equipment must manage heavy latent loads, and proper sizing prevents short cycling in the moist coastal air.

Licensing and permits

South Carolina requires state licensure through the Residential Builders Commission for residential HVAC work exceeding $500 and through the Contractors' Licensing Board for commercial mechanical work exceeding $10,000. Both boards operate under the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. A $10,000 surety bond is mandatory when residential project costs exceed $5,000. Permits for furnace or AC changeouts are issued locally by city or county departments, not at the state level.

Available incentives

South Carolina Home Energy Rebates remain conditionally approved for a 2026 launch, with a planned $8,000 heat-pump rebate. Utility programs from Duke, Dominion, and Santee Cooper offer $200 to $1,200. No federal residential tax credits apply in 2026. Contractor participation in utility networks is required for most rebates, so homeowners should confirm network status before signing.