Residential & Commercial Air Conditioning Installation & Replacement
Serving Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Pompano Beach, Coral Springs, Sunrise, Tamarac; and the counties of Broward, Miami-Dade, West Palm Beach, and Port St. Luci
Here in Florida, air conditioning isn't optional. Not just because of the oppressive heat, but also because of the high humidity and unforgiving nighttime temperatures. That's why an air conditioner should be maintained at the highest level it can function. Maintenance includes changing the filter regularly and regular professional support from a company like Stud Air Conditioning. Because of the cost of a new unit, the homeowner should approach the maintenance of the existing unit with all the diligence it deserves. Professional air conditioning service can stave off most problems while they're small and manageable because expert scrutiny can detect many repair issues before they get out of hand.
If an air conditioner does have a problem, we can help with those as well! We perform air conditioning repairs of all kinds for most systems. From a thermostat battery replacement to a compressor replacement to ductwork repair, we have the tools and knowhow to get your air conditioner back up and running fast! We know the suffering a non-working air conditioner can cause and are committed to keeping the misery caused by a lack of climate control down to a minimum. We will be diligent and fix the problem in the shortest amount of time possible.
Sometimes replacement is the best option for an air conditioning unit. Our team can replace your air conditioning system, whether it's a commercial or a residential unit. We don't offer replacement lightly, as replacement is a significant expense. However, newer air conditioning systems have made great strides in efficiency, making them functionally capable of paying for themselves when compared to the cost of continuing to operate an older unit.
OUR REVIEWS
How long does it take to install a new air conditioning unit?
It would be remiss to offer a one-size-fits-all timeline for an air conditioning replacement, because every home is different, and every existing system is different. For example, the size of the house or building is a factor. The location of the current and future equipment and ease of access is another consideration. A third element is the condition of the existing ductwork, whether or not it was correctly installed and if it is still in good enough shape to be used with the new unit.
When the removal of the old unit and installation of the new system is trouble-free, as well as some cooperation from the existing ductwork, meaning it doesn’t require replacement, we can have your new unit working in four to eight hours. If we encounter problems or you have a more complex installation situation, it may take longer.
How much does a new air conditioning unit cost in Florida?
Asking for the cost of an air conditioning system is like asking the cost of a home; the price depends on many different factors. While the size of the house and type of unit matters, there is more to it than that.
One issue is how much prep work will have to be done to add the new system to the structure. For example, if existing ductwork is damaged or unsuitable, it will have to be repaired or replaced, which can be expensive. The old system will have to be removed if there is one. The new unit will require ample space for indoor and outdoor components of the system, as well.
So, it isn’t merely the cost of the unit itself, but the price also depends on how much other preliminary work needs to be performed before the installation of the unit. We have installed air conditioners for as low as $2500. Most fall between the $3-5k range, but for a very large home it can cost more.
Will a bigger AC unit cool my house better?
This is an excellent question because it’s reasonable to want to banish hot air during the hot summer months. But, a bigger-than-necessary air conditioner will not make your home any cooler in the same way that a bigger bathtub will not make you any cleaner.
The air conditioning system is a circulatory system: air flows from the indoor air return grill and through the filter. It then passes through and blows out the ductwork. From the ductwork, it blows through the home and ends up back at the indoor air return grill.
The size of the unit should be commensurate with the size of the rooms, corresponding ducts, and return grill. Anything larger is less efficient, as it will only be able to run as long as it takes to make the home cool. So, firing up a giant air conditioner for a short amount of time to cool an average-sized home doesn’t make sense. In fact, it can cause several problems, including operating costs. That unit will consistently raise your energy bill higher than it needs to be, a mistake that you’ll pay for in the years to come.
How do I know if my air conditioner is oversized?
A hot day is the best time to determine if your air conditioning unit is too big. During a hot day, the a/c should be on most of the time. While that may seem counterintuitive, remember--your air conditioner is also in charge of controlling the humidity in your home. The less it runs, the less chance it has to collect the moisture, and the result is high humidity in your home, which isn’t comfortable. There are tools, formulas, and calculations which can help determine the size and usage of an air conditioner, but the simplest one is a stopwatch on a hot day.
Besides short cycling of the unit, and high humidity in your home, uneven cooling is another sign the system is too big. If some areas of your home are freezing and others are uncomfortably warm, the unit might be too big. The larger size will also create a higher electric bill.
Why is my AC Unit not removing humidity from my home?
As we mentioned before, the air conditioner is responsible for removing humidity from the air in your home. If it’s not running long enough, the humidity in your home will be uncomfortably high. Humidity at 60% or above is going to be unpleasant. If your air conditioner is too big, it will short cycle before it’s able to remove the humidity. Some other causes of too much moisture in the air can be a leaky pipe or leak in the roof, cooking, hot showers, or dampness created by structural problems.
How often should an AC unit be serviced in Florida?
We tell people to have their unit serviced twice a year: once before peak cooling season, and once before they turn their heat on. If you don’t have an HVAC or don’t use your heat, have the air conditioning unit serviced twice a year. If you neglect the regular maintenance chores such as changing the filter once a month and cleaning the debris around the outdoor unit, having a maintenance check more often is not out of the realm of reason.
We also recommend that people who have older or problematic units have the unit checked more often. We can make a maintenance plan for you, based on your cooling needs, and the age of your unit, and the environmental factors. We also recommend that our customers change their filter every month and keep debris and plant material away from the outdoor portion of the system.
How long does a typical air conditioner last in Florida?
The life of an air conditioner depends on several factors, some of which a homeowner can control, and some which he cannot. The conditions in the area where the system is located will affect the unit. Our harsh Florida summers are harder on units than those in other places.
The amount of usage is a factor. The size, type of system, and brand will also make a difference, as some brands have a longer lifespan than others. A homeowner who has regular professional maintenance changes the filter dutifully, keeps the outdoor unit free from debris and pays close attention to any changes in the sounds and changes in the operation of the unit is likely to get more years out of their unit.
Between eight and fifteen years is the generally accepted lifespan of a Florida air conditioner.
Should I replace my 20 year-old air conditioner?
Fortunately, newer models are so much more efficient than older models that the homeowner with a 20-year-old air conditioner is going to be already paying heavily for electricity and repairs.
Once the new unit is installed, we think you will find with much delight that your electric bill will be phenomenally lower, that the new system will be much more effective, and you will no longer be plagued with big repair bills.
The rule is, if the unit is older and the bill is half the cost of a new one, it’s worth it to replace the old one.