What are the warning signs when hiring an AC contractor in Florida?

Check an AC offer for unsupported equipment sizing, unexplained refrigerant recommendations, missing permit responsibility and payment pressure before deciding what Florida home cooling work to authorize.

Source: ENERGY STAR contractor selection guidance, read 14 October 2026.
Source: EPA homeowner refrigerant questions, read 14 October 2026.
Source: Palm Beach permit and contractor guidance, read 14 October 2026.
Source: FTC payment cautions and cancellation checklist, read 14 October 2026.

Researched by the InstaBids editorial team. Last checked: 14 October 2026

A weathered outdoor air conditioning unit with weeds around its cracked concrete pad.

Key facts

ENERGY STAR says a contractor should size the system based on the size of the house, insulation and windows.
Source: ENERGY STAR contractor selection guidance, read 14 October 2026.
EPA says homeowners are not required to replace existing equipment that uses HCFC-22.
Source: EPA homeowner refrigerant questions, read 14 October 2026.
Palm Beach advises not to make the final payment until the permit is closed out.
Source: Palm Beach permit and contractor guidance, read 14 October 2026.
DBPR lists requests for large, upfront cash payments among unlicensed activity warning signs.
Source: DBPR advance-payment warning, read 14 October 2026.
Section 489.126(2)(a) sets permit-application and work-start deadlines after a qualifying initial payment, with stated exceptions.
Source: F.S. 489.126, read 14 October 2026.

What should a written quote include before I pay anything?

Ask for the AC model numbers, proposed capacity assessment, start date and warranty information in a written proposal; ENERGY STAR recommends evaluating the home and existing system, so an unexplained larger replacement is a reason to request the sizing basis.

Source: ENERGY STAR contractor selection guidance, read 14 October 2026.

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Build the equipment description from the labels already on your system. Note the indoor and outdoor models if you can read them without opening equipment. Record which rooms are uncomfortable and when the problem occurs. Describe symptoms such as uneven temperatures or repeated interruptions without assigning a mechanical cause.

ENERGY STAR's guidance connects sizing to the home's size, insulation and windows. It also calls for attention to ducts and airflow. Ask when the contractor will assess those conditions and what remains provisional in an estimate made from photographs. A bigger unit should not be presented as an explanation for every comfort problem.

Source: ENERGY STAR contractor selection guidance, read 14 October 2026.

If the sales discussion moves directly from a warm room to replacing all equipment, request the diagnosis in writing. Ask which observations support replacement, what alternatives the contractor considered and which problem the proposed work is intended to address. These questions seek the contractor's reasoning; they do not ask you to calculate equipment capacity yourself.

Proposed AC work	Missing explanation to request
Increase in capacity	The home assessment supporting the selection and any unresolved assumptions.
Replace only part of a system	The exact component and the contractor's explanation of how the proposed combination will function.
Add refrigerant repeatedly	Findings about leakage and the proposed repair, not just another service visit.
Change the refrigerant	Identification of the existing refrigerant and the system changes being proposed.
Omit permits from the proposal	The applicable authority's answer and who will handle any required application.
Complete installation	The startup, operating instructions and documents included in the handover.

The table combines the official assessment and refrigerant guidance with editorial questions about the proposed installation.

EPA advises homeowners to ask technicians to locate and repair leaks instead of repeatedly adding refrigerant to a leaking system. For R-22 equipment, EPA's homeowner guidance says existing units need not be replaced merely because of the phaseout. A claim that every existing R-22 system must immediately be discarded deserves a source and an explanation.

Source: EPA homeowner refrigerant questions, read 14 October 2026.

For equipment containing HCFC-22, EPA advises making sure the technician has the required EPA Section 608 certification to service it.

Source: EPA homeowner refrigerant questions, read 14 October 2026.

Ask the contractor to identify the refrigerant from the equipment information. EPA says that identification is typically on the nameplate and explains that R-22 has no drop-in replacement requiring no component changes. Have the contractor describe any proposed conversion; leave refrigerant handling and technical assessment to the technician.

Source: EPA homeowner refrigerant questions, read 14 October 2026.

For permitting, use the property's jurisdiction rather than a general statement that a job is small. Palm Beach's guidance says to obtain a permit when applicable and wait for closeout before final payment. Ask the local building department about the specific proposed replacement or alteration, and record the answer.

Source: Palm Beach permit and contractor guidance, read 14 October 2026.

The FTC’s contract checklist includes “a written statement of your right to cancel the contract within three business days, if you signed it in your home or at a location other than the seller’s permanent place of business”.

Source: FTC payment cautions and cancellation checklist, read 14 October 2026.

How big a deposit is normal under Florida law?

Compare an AC equipment-order deposit with the residential payment trigger in F.S. 489.126(2)(a); the provision concerns applying for necessary permits and starting work, including stated exceptions, rather than establishing a normal advance payment for a condenser, air handler or installation package.