Tonnage (system size): Residential systems run 1.5 to 5 tons of cooling capacity (one ton = 12,000 BTU/hr). A 1,200 sqft Delray condo usually needs 2 tons. A 2,400 sqft Boca single-family home is typically 3.5 to 4 tons. A 4,000+ sqft Palm Beach estate runs 5 tons or dual systems. Each ton of additional capacity adds roughly $700–$1,200 to the install. Demand a written Manual J load calculation — rule-of-thumb sizing (one ton per 500–600 sqft) is wrong in Florida about half the time and oversized systems cause the humidity problems homeowners hire us to fix.

SEER2 efficiency tier: The federal minimum in Florida is 15.2 SEER2. Pricing by tier on a 3-ton system, fully installed: 15.2 SEER2 single-stage $6,800–$8,500; 16 SEER2 two-stage $8,500–$10,500; 18 SEER2 variable-speed inverter $10,500–$13,000; 20+ SEER2 premium inverter $13,000–$16,000+. The inverter tiers cost more upfront but cut cooling bills 25–40% and dramatically improve humidity control — usually the right call for Palm Beach County.

Ductwork condition: This is the silent budget-killer. If your ducts are 20+ years old, leaky, undersized, or full of disconnected boots, no new equipment will perform properly. Full duct replacement runs $3,000–$8,000 on top of the equipment. Partial repairs (sealing, replacing a few runs, resizing a return) are $800–$2,500. Always ask for a duct blaster test before you sign — leaky ducts can waste 25–40% of the cooling you’re paying for.

Line items a real quote should include: equipment (condenser, air handler, coil — by model number), refrigerant line set (new or flushed existing), thermostat, electrical disconnect and whip, condensate drain with float switch, line set insulation, equipment pad or hurricane straps, permit and inspection fees, sales tax, and labor with warranty terms. If any of these are missing or lumped into one number, ask for an itemized version.

What pushes price up in Palm Beach County: second-floor air handler access, attic installations (115°F+ working conditions), coastal corrosion-resistant coils for homes east of US-1, hurricane tie-down requirements, asbestos abatement on pre-1980 homes, and electrical panel upgrades when the existing panel can’t handle the new equipment. Each can add $400–$2,000.

What pushes price down: replacing like-for-like equipment in an accessible location, reusing recent ductwork, off-season installs (October–February usually runs 5–10% cheaper than peak summer), and stacking the federal 25C tax credit ($600 AC / $2,000 heat pump), FPL rebates ($150–$2,150), and HEEHRA rebates (up to $8,000 for income-qualified households). See our Florida AC Tax Credits & Rebates 2026 guide for how to stack them.

Red flags in quotes: a verbal price without a site visit; no model numbers on the equipment line; ‘$X,000 installed’ with no itemization; pressure to sign ‘today only’; refusal to provide a Manual J; no permit pulled (Palm Beach County requires one for every AC change-out); cash-only pricing that skips sales tax. Any one of these is reason to get a second quote.

How Lindstrom, Sansone, and the big Palm Beach County players price: the regional brand-name contractors typically quote 15–25% above local family-owned contractors for the same equipment. You’re paying for radio advertising and sales overhead, not better installation. Get at least three quotes, all on the same SEER2 tier and tonnage, and compare line by line.

Air We Go installs across Palm Beach County with itemized written quotes, written Manual J load calculations, all permits pulled, and every rebate and tax credit baked into the price up front. Call (561) 778-7078 for a free in-home assessment, or read our companion guide on Florida AC tax credits and rebates to see what your real out-of-pocket could be.

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Federal 25C tax credit (Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit): For 2026, you can claim 30% of the cost of qualifying high-efficiency equipment, capped at $2,000 for heat pumps and $600 for central air conditioners. To qualify, the system must meet the CEE highest efficiency tier in effect at install — in Florida that means 16+ SEER2 / 9.0+ HSPF2 for heat pumps and 17+ SEER2 / 12+ EER2 for central AC. Keep your AHRI certificate; it’s what the IRS asks for.

HEEHRA (High-Efficiency Electric Home Rebate Act): This is the big one — up to $8,000 off a qualifying ENERGY STAR heat pump for income-qualified households (under 150% of area median income for Palm Beach County, roughly $135,000 for a family of four in 2026). Households under 80% AMI get the full rebate at the point of sale; 80–150% AMI gets 50% covered. Florida’s program is administered through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services — applications opened in late 2025.

FPL AC rebate: Florida Power & Light offers a $150–$2,150 rebate on qualifying high-efficiency systems through their Residential HVAC program. The exact amount depends on SEER2 rating and whether you’re replacing electric resistance heat. Variable-speed inverter heat pumps at 18+ SEER2 typically max out the rebate. FPL also runs a separate $30 smart thermostat rebate worth grabbing.

How to stack them: The federal 25C credit, HEEHRA rebate, and FPL rebate are independent programs — you can claim all three on the same system. Example: a $12,000 Daikin 18 SEER2 variable-speed heat pump for an income-qualified family could net a $2,000 federal tax credit + $8,000 HEEHRA rebate + ~$1,500 FPL rebate, bringing real out-of-pocket to roughly $500. Even for higher-income households who don’t qualify for HEEHRA, the 25C credit plus FPL rebate routinely saves $2,500–$3,500.

SEER2 efficiency savings beyond rebates: A 18 SEER2 inverter system uses 30–40% less electricity than a 15.2 SEER2 baseline. On a typical Palm Beach County summer cooling bill of $280/month, that’s $80–$110/month saved — $700–$1,100 per year before you factor in any rebate. Over a 12-year system life, the energy savings alone often exceed the upfront premium for high-efficiency equipment.

Common mistakes to avoid: Don’t take possession of the equipment before applying for HEEHRA — it’s a point-of-sale rebate, so it has to be processed at the time of install. Make sure your contractor is registered with FPL’s Participating Contractor Network or the FPL rebate gets denied. And keep every document: AHRI certificate, Manual J load calc, invoice with model numbers, and proof of payment. The IRS and FPL both audit a small percentage of claims.

What to ask your contractor: (1) Is this equipment on the AHRI certified list at the SEER2 tier I need for the 25C credit? (2) Are you an FPL Participating Contractor? (3) Will you handle the HEEHRA point-of-sale paperwork? (4) Can you provide a written Manual J load calculation? Any contractor who can’t answer all four shouldn’t be installing your system.

Air We Go is an FPL Participating Contractor and handles all rebate and HEEHRA paperwork at the time of install. We pre-qualify your household for HEEHRA before quoting so the rebate is baked into your price — no waiting for a check. Call us at (561) 778-7078 for a free in-home assessment and a written quote that itemizes every incentive you qualify for.

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Single stage 15.2 SEER2 systems the new federal minimum sit at the low end. Two stage 16 SEER2 systems are the sweet spot for Florida humidity control. Variable speed inverter systems at 18+ SEER2 cost more upfront but pay back in lower electric bills and dramatically better humidity control.

Ductwork matters. If your ducts are 20+ years old, leaky, or undersized, no amount of new equipment will perform properly. Budget another $3,000–$8,000 if duct replacement is needed.

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What stretches lifespan: twice yearly maintenance, clean coils, proper refrigerant charge, and a properly sized system. What kills it: dirty filters, leaky ducts, undersized equipment running 24/7, and skipping maintenance.

The post How Long Do AC Systems Last in Florida? appeared first on Air We Go.

What stretches lifespan: twice yearly maintenance, clean coils, proper refrigerant charge, and a properly sized system. What kills it: dirty filters, leaky ducts, undersized equipment running 24/7, and skipping maintenance.

The post How Long Do AC Systems Last in Florida? appeared first on Air We Go.

Daikin offers the strongest warranty (12 years parts when registered) and the best inverter technology at a mid premium price.

Rheem is the value play solid reliability, 10 year warranty, easier parts availability, and 15 25% less expensive than Lennox for comparable specs.

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The result: tighter temperature control, lower humidity, quieter operation, and 20 40% lower cooling bills. The premium pays back in 4 7 years for most Palm Beach County homes.

The post Are Variable Speed Systems Worth It in Florida? appeared first on Air We Go.

Fall tune up: same checks plus heat strip testing (for heat pumps), thermostat calibration, and air handler inspection.

The post The Complete Florida AC Maintenance Checklist appeared first on Air We Go.

For Florida, the federal minimum is now 15.2 SEER2. We typically recommend 16 18 SEER2 as the value sweet spot.

The post SEER2 Ratings Explained for Florida Homeowners appeared first on Air We Go.

DIY fix: pour 1 cup of distilled vinegar into the drain access tee every 3 months. If the line is already clogged, a wet/dry vac at the outdoor termination will usually clear it.

The post Clogged AC Drain Line: Causes, Costs, and DIY Fixes appeared first on Air We Go.