Signs it's time to replace, not repair
Most South Florida systems run nine or ten months a year, so they age faster than the national averages suggest. Replacement usually makes sense when two or more of these are true:
- The system is 12+ years old, or 8–10+ years within a few miles of the ocean, where salt air eats outdoor coils.
- It still uses R-22. R-22 production ended in 2020, so any repair that needs refrigerant draws on a shrinking, expensive supply.
- The repair is a compressor, an evaporator coil or a major refrigerant leak on an older system. Those are the repairs where the money is often better spent on new equipment.
- It can't hold humidity down. If the house feels cold and clammy at the same time, the system is likely oversized, worn out, or both.
- You've paid for repairs two summers in a row.
Not sure? Our repair-or-replace calculator takes about a minute. If you're holding another company's replacement quote, send it to us: we'll inspect the system and tell you honestly if a repair buys you more seasons.
Why we start with a Manual J load calculation
The old rule of thumb, one ton per 500 square feet, is how South Florida ends up full of oversized systems. An oversized AC cools the air fast, satisfies the thermostat, and shuts off before it has run long enough to pull moisture out. The result is a house that is cold and sticky at once, mold in closets, and a compressor worn out by constant short-cycling.
A Manual J calculation (the ACCA standard) works out your home's real cooling load from its square footage, ceiling height, insulation, windows and which way they face, shade, air leakage and the number of people living there. Then equipment is chosen to match, with Manual S. We give you the printout. If a 3-ton is right for your home, we quote a 3-ton, even when a bigger unit would be a bigger sale.
Efficiency: SEER2, and what the minimums are
Since January 1, 2023, efficiency is rated in SEER2, a tougher test than the old SEER. In the Southeast, including Florida, a new split-system central AC must be at least 14.3 SEER2 (13.8 SEER2 for larger systems of 45,000 BTU and up), and heat pumps must be at least 14.3 SEER2.
For most South Florida homes the sweet spot is a solid mid-efficiency system, around 15–17 SEER2, often with a two-stage or variable-speed compressor. Variable-speed systems run longer at low speed, which is exactly what pulls humidity out in our climate. Very high SEER2 equipment pays back more slowly. We show you the options side by side, with the running-cost difference, and let you choose.
FPL runs an instant rebate on qualifying high-efficiency systems (FPL A/C rebate), paid through its participating contractors. Ask us whether your system and installer qualify.
New refrigerants: R-454B and R-32
Under the EPA's Technology Transitions rule, new residential systems manufactured from 2025 on use lower-impact refrigerants, mainly R-454B and R-32, instead of R-410A. These are classed A2L (mildly flammable), so the equipment includes leak detection and the installer follows updated handling rules.
What it means for you: R-410A equipment built before 2025 can still be installed (the EPA removed the old installation deadline in 2026), and existing R-410A systems can be serviced for years. But you can't mix the two. A new R-454B outdoor unit needs a matching R-454B indoor coil, not the old one. Any quote that keeps your old indoor coil with a new outdoor unit should explain why.
What installation day actually includes
- Written quote with the exact model numbers, the AHRI certificate for the matched system, SEER2, what's included and what isn't.
- Permit. Florida requires a permit for an AC change-out. We pull it. In Miami-Dade and Broward, which sit in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, outdoor equipment and its anchoring also need county product approval (an NOA).
- Removal of the old system and legal refrigerant recovery.
- Install: new pad, hurricane tie-downs, air handler, coil, line set flushed or replaced, drain line and secondary safety (float) switch, electrical disconnect checked, thermostat.
- Start-up: refrigerant charge set by superheat/subcooling, airflow and temperature split measured, and the numbers written down.
- Inspection by the building department, and the manufacturer warranty registered in your name. Most manufacturers only give the full parts term when the unit is registered within 60–90 days.
A standard like-for-like replacement is usually one day on site once the permit is issued. Condo, rooftop and ductwork jobs take longer, and we tell you how long before you commit.
Condos, high-rises and HOAs
Much of South Florida's AC work is in buildings, not driveways. Associations generally want the equipment specification, the contractor's paperwork and the permit before they approve a change-out. Many towers also require a reserved service elevator and work inside set hours. We prepare the association packet as part of the quote, so it isn't left to you. Tell us your building on the first call.
What sets the price
We don't publish a price list, because the honest answer depends on your home: tonnage, efficiency tier, whether the ductwork and electrical can be reused, access (attic, closet, roof, 20th floor), and what the association requires. What we do promise is a flat, written price before anything starts. See what drives AC repair and replacement cost, and financing options.
Where we do this
AC Replacement & Installation across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties. Local notes (housing stock, permits, common problems) for each city:
AventuraSunny Isles BeachNorth Miami BeachHallandale BeachHollywoodNorth MiamiMiami GardensMiramarPembroke PinesHialeahDavieMiami BeachFort LauderdalePlantationMiamiDoralSunriseCoral GablesWestonPompano BeachKendallPinecrestCoral SpringsDeerfield BeachBoca RatonDelray BeachBoynton BeachWest Palm Beach