AC installation and replacement in Miami, FL: local prices and installers

Miami's climate is warm and humid in every month, so an AC here has almost no off-season. It runs more hours in a year than nearly anywhere else in the country, and it spends much of that time removing moisture. Installation quality shows up quickly, in comfort and in the power bill.

A replacement covers the outdoor condenser or heat pump and the matching air handler. Miami housing varies widely. Single-family homes often have the air handler in a closet or garage.

Salt air near the coast shortens the life of outdoor coils. Heavy condensate flow makes a clear drain line and a working float switch essential. South Florida is also hurricane country, so ask how the unit will be anchored and whether surge protection is included.

In a humid climate the AC has to run long enough to pull moisture out of the air. An oversized unit cools the house quickly, shuts off and leaves the air damp, which feels uncomfortable and invites mold. The size should come from a load calculation that covers both the heat and the moisture your home takes on.

Use the AC tonnage calculator for a rough range, then ask each contractor to explain their number. Two-stage and variable-capacity systems run longer at low output and tend to control humidity better than single-stage equipment, at a higher price. Most Florida homes also heat with the same system, either as a heat pump or with electric heat strips, so confirm which the quote includes.

Florida licenses air conditioning contractors at the state level through the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). Verify each bidder in DBPR's licensing portal by name or license number, following the Florida license lookup guide. Check that the license is current and is an air conditioning or mechanical contractor license.

An AC change-out in Florida is normally permitted and inspected through the local building department. Ask each contractor to confirm the permit requirement for your Miami address, pull the permit and include the fee. Near the coast, ask how the outdoor unit will be anchored and what the local code requires for wind.

• Brand, model numbers and tonnage for the outdoor unit and the indoor coil, air handler or furnace.
• The SEER2 rating of the matched system, with the AHRI reference number.
• Whether the load was calculated (Manual J) or the size was copied from the old unit.
• What happens to the ducts: inspected, sealed, repaired or left as they are.
• Electrical work, the disconnect, the thermostat, the condensate drain and the pad or roof stand.
• Permit and inspection, removal of the old equipment and recovery of the old refrigerant.
• Equipment and labor warranty terms in writing, and who registers the equipment.

Florida quotes should also state how the condensate drain and float switch will be handled.