FAQ
FAQs
AC Installations
Yes! Homeowners may qualify for the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit (up to
$600 for qualifying HVAC equipment) under the Inflation Reduction Act. Local utilities like Duke Energy
Florida and OUC also offer rebates for high-efficiency equipment. Ask us about current available
incentives — we help our Orlando and Central Florida customers take full advantage of every savings
opportunity.
A common rule of thumb: if repair costs exceed 50% of the price of a new system — or if your unit is
over 10 years old and breaking down repeatedly — replacement is usually the smarter financial
decision. A new high-efficiency system not only eliminates repair costs but also dramatically reduces
your monthly energy bills. We provide honest, no-pressure assessments so you can make the best
decision for your family and budget.
In Florida, most AC systems last 10–15 years — slightly less than the national average because Central
Florida systems run nearly year-round. Salt air in coastal areas can further shorten lifespan. If your
system is over 10 years old and requiring frequent repairs or struggling to keep up with the Orlando
heat, it’s worth getting a replacement quote from our team.
Proper sizing is much more than square footage. A Manual J load calculation accounts for your home’s
square footage, ceiling height, insulation levels, window size and orientation, number of occupants, and local climate data. An oversized unit short-cycles (rapid on/off), leaving your home humid. An undersized
one runs constantly and can’t keep up in a Florida summer. We always perform a proper load calculation
before recommending equipment.
SEER2 (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio 2) measures how efficiently an AC unit cools your home over
an entire season. The higher the SEER2, the lower your energy bills. Florida now requires a minimum of
15.2 SEER2 for new residential systems. We recommend 16–20 SEER2 for maximum long-term
savings — the higher upfront cost typically pays for itself in 3–5 years through reduced electricity bills,
which is especially significant in Central Florida’s long cooling season.
A standard AC replacement (same location, no ductwork changes) typically takes 4–8 hours and is
completed in a single day. More complex installations involving duct modifications, new air handlers, or
full system upgrades may take 1–2 days. We work efficiently because we know Central Florida
homeowners can’t go without AC in the summer heat.
FAQs
AC Service
We recommend a professional tune-up at least once a year — ideally in the spring before Orlando’s
brutal summer heat arrives. Because Central Florida AC systems run almost year-round, many
homeowners benefit from bi-annual service (spring and fall). Regular maintenance prevents costly
breakdowns, extends equipment life by years, and keeps your FPL or Duke Energy bills as low as
possible.
In the Orlando area, change your filter every 30–60 days due to Florida’s high humidity, dust, and pollen
levels. If you have pets, allergies, or family members with asthma or respiratory conditions, swap it every
20–30 days. A clogged filter is the #1 cause of AC breakdowns and higher energy bills — and it’s the
easiest, cheapest maintenance task you can do.
A thorough tune-up includes: cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils, checking refrigerant levels,
inspecting electrical connections and contactors, lubricating moving parts, flushing the condensate drain
line, testing thermostat accuracy, checking airflow, and inspecting the blower motor. You’ll receive a full
system health report so you’re never caught off guard — especially heading into summer in Central
Florida.
The U.S. Department of Energy recommends 78°F when you’re home and 85°F when away to balance
comfort and savings. In Orlando’s climate, every degree below 78°F can increase your energy bill by
3–5%. A programmable or smart thermostat (like the Nest or Ecobee) automates these adjustments
effortlessly, saving Orlando homeowners hundreds per year.
Several issues can cause this: low refrigerant (a Freon leak), a dirty evaporator coil, a failing
compressor, undersized equipment for your home’s square footage, poor insulation, or leaky ductwork.
With Orlando’s extreme summer heat and humidity, an aging system that was barely keeping up will
struggle even more. If your system can’t reach the set temperature, call us for a diagnostic — this also
drives up your electric bill significantly.
In Central Florida’s humid climate, this is extremely common. The most likely cause is a clogged
condensate drain line — algae and mold build up rapidly in our heat. Other causes include a frozen
evaporator coil (from a dirty filter or low refrigerant) or a cracked drain pan. Turn off your system
immediately to prevent water damage to your ceilings and floors, then call us — a clogged drain line is
usually a quick, affordable fix.
Your AC typically accounts for 40–60% of your total electricity bill in Florida. High bills are usually
caused by: an aging or inefficient system, dirty filters or coils forcing the unit to work harder, refrigerant
leaks, leaky ductwork, poor insulation, or a thermostat set too low. Upgrading to a high-efficiency system
(16+ SEER2) and adding a smart thermostat can dramatically reduce your FPL or Duke Energy costs.
FAQs
AC General
Florida’s humidity is relentless. Common causes of a muggy home include: an oversized AC unit (cools
too fast without running long enough to dehumidify), leaky ductwork pulling in humid attic air, an aging
system losing its dehumidification capacity, or too many air leaks in your home’s building envelope. A
whole-home dehumidifier paired with your AC system is often the best long-term solution for Orlando-
area homes.
Yes — mold is a serious concern in Florida HVAC systems. The combination of high humidity,
condensation, and organic debris creates ideal mold-growing conditions inside air handlers, on
evaporator coils, and in ductwork. Signs include musty odors from vents, visible dark spots near
registers, or worsening allergy symptoms indoors. UV light systems installed inside your air handler are
highly effective at killing mold and bacteria before they circulate through your home.
Before calling, check these quick items: (1) Is the thermostat set to COOL and set below the current
room temperature? (2) Check your circuit breaker — a tripped breaker is a very common culprit. (3) Is
the air filter completely clogged and blocking airflow? (4) Is the condensate drain pan full or the float
switch tripped? (5) Is the outdoor unit free of debris? If none of these resolve it, call us — don’t let a
Florida home sit without AC.
Absolutely. In Florida, a broken AC is not a minor inconvenience — it’s an urgent health and safety
issue, especially for elderly family members, young children, or pets. Mr. A/C of Orlando offers same-
day and emergency service throughout Orange, Osceola, Seminole, Lake, and Polk counties. Call us
and we’ll dispatch a licensed technician to you as fast as possible.
We specialize in installing and servicing industry-leading brands including Carrier and Trane — two of
the most trusted names in the HVAC industry. We offer Good/Better/Best equipment tiers to fit every budget, from reliable entry-level systems to top-of-the-line variable-speed units with advanced humidity
control. Our team is factory-trained and certified on all major brands.
Yes! Mr. A/C of Orlando proudly serves homeowners and businesses throughout Central Florida,
including Orange County, Osceola County, Seminole County, Lake County, and Polk County. Whether
you’re in Orlando, Kissimmee, Sanford, Ocoee, Winter Garden, Clermont, Lakeland, or anywhere in
between — our licensed, insured technicians are ready to help.
Absolutely. All of our HVAC technicians are fully licensed by the State of Florida and carry full liability
insurance and workers’ compensation coverage. When you invite Mr. A/C of Orlando into your home,
you can trust that you’re working with trained, vetted professionals who stand behind every job they do.