Certified Building Contractor CBC1265305 · AC & Heating
AC & Heating (HVAC) in Fort Lauderdale, FL
AC & Heating (HVAC) for homes in Fort Lauderdale and the surrounding area — permitted, inspected and closed out. Free estimate.
Most AC work in Fort Lauderdale starts at the permit counter: replacing a system or air handler (a change-out) or installing a new one typically requires a mechanical permit from the city or county building department, pulled by the licensed air-conditioning contractor, with inspection and close-out. That matters here because the housing stock is heavily mid-century — the Census ACS 5-year (2022) puts the median year built around 1972 — and those 1950s–1970s concrete block and stucco homes on slab have often been through several system changes already. Smaller tasks like swapping a thermostat, clearing a condensate drain or routine maintenance usually do not need a permit, but rules vary, so confirm with the local building department.
We handle AC and heating projects under our Florida Certified Building Contractor license CBC1265305, and the air-conditioning work itself is performed by our Florida-licensed air-conditioning subcontractors, who pull the mechanical permit for change-outs and new installs. Under s. 489.113(3), Florida Statutes, a building contractor subcontracts air-conditioning work to licensed trade contractors — that is how the job is set up, and the building certification does not itself license AC work. You get a free estimate and a written scope before work starts, with inspections scheduled and the permit closed out. AC and heating service is offered in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties only.
Fort Lauderdale's tropical, year-round humid climate means cooling runs most of the year, peaking in the summer heat, and freezes are essentially unheard of — so systems here are worked hard rather than rested. Known as the 'Venice of America' for its hundreds of miles of canals and Intracoastal frontage, the city also has an unusually high share of waterfront homes where constant salt air off the Atlantic corrodes metal faster than inland, and that exposure reaches outdoor condenser coils and cabinets. Add a June 1–November 30 hurricane season that brings outages and power surges capable of damaging compressors and controls, and equipment near the water often shows its age earlier than a manufacturer's average would suggest.
Permits, inspections and close-out in Fort Lauderdale
Air-conditioning work is a licensed trade in Florida: under Chapter 489, Florida Statutes, it must be performed by a licensed air-conditioning contractor (Class A or Class B) or mechanical contractor, licensed through the DBPR Construction Industry Licensing Board, and technicians handling refrigerant also need EPA Section 608 certification. Any license can be checked on the Florida DBPR website. On permitting: a change-out or new install typically requires a mechanical permit applied for by that licensed contractor, after which the job usually runs permit → work → any in-progress inspections the code requires while the work is still visible → final inspection → permit closed. Fort Lauderdale is in Broward County, which the Florida Building Code treats as part of the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone; exterior products such as windows, doors and roofing installed there need a Miami-Dade Notice of Acceptance, and for HVAC the Mechanical and Energy Conservation volumes apply with outdoor units secured for the wind requirements at the home. Since January 1, 2023, new central air conditioners and heat pumps are rated under the Department of Energy's SEER2 standards, and the Southeast region, which includes Florida, carries a higher minimum for split-system central air conditioners than northern states. Closing out the permit after the final inspection is the last step that matters — an open or unpermitted job can resurface at sale, refinance or insurance renewal. Verify the exact permit and inspection requirements with the Fort Lauderdale or Broward County building department.
Problems to watch for in Fort Lauderdale
System not cooling in peak heat
With cooling demand running nearly all year in South Florida, a weak or failed system shows up fast. Diagnosis starts with confirming whether the issue is airflow, controls, refrigerant or the compressor.
Salt-air corrosion on outdoor units
On canal, Intracoastal and near-beach properties, salt spray attacks outdoor coils and cabinet hardware. Corroded coils lose capacity and can eventually leak.
Clogged condensate drains
High indoor humidity keeps condensate lines prone to buildup, and a blocked drain can push water into ceilings and closets. Older slab homes with air handlers in interior closets are a common place to find the damage.
Refrigerant leaks in aging equipment
In a housing stock that dates largely from the 1950s through 1970s, replacement systems themselves can now be well past their prime. Repeated loss of refrigerant usually points to a leak that needs locating, not just topping off.
Storm-season surges and outages
Hurricane season outages and power surges can damage compressors and control boards. After a storm, a system can come back up running but short-cycling or not cooling at all.
Equipment that was never permitted
Unpermitted or open permits can surface at sale, refinance or insurance renewal and may be cited by code enforcement. It is worth knowing the history of a change-out before you buy or list a home.
Condo and HOA restrictions
HOA-governed condo buildings and gated communities are widespread in Fort Lauderdale, and many impose their own approval requirements on exterior work. Association sign-off for a condenser location or rooftop equipment is often a separate step from the permit.
What we do
- Repair and diagnosisWhen a system is not cooling, our licensed air-conditioning subcontractors diagnose the cause and quote the repair. Refrigerant leak repair is part of that scope.
- Change-outs and new installsAC replacement is done to current SEER2 efficiency standards, with the mechanical permit pulled by the licensed air-conditioning contractor. New installs follow the same permitted path.
- Heat pumps and ductless mini-splitsHeat pumps and ductless mini-split systems suit additions, converted garages and rooms the existing ductwork never served well. We scope the job and manage the install.
- Condensate drains and AC water leaksWe clear condensate drain clogs and trace water leaks back to the air handler or line. In Fort Lauderdale's humidity, drains are a recurring maintenance item rather than a one-time fix.
- Maintenance and thermostatsRoutine maintenance keeps coils, drains and controls in check through a long cooling season. Thermostat replacement is typically straightforward and usually falls outside permitting — confirm locally.
When to call
Cooling runs most of the year here and peaks in summer heat, so planning a replacement before the hottest stretch, or before hurricane season outages and surges start, gives you more room to schedule. Demand also shifts in the November–April snowbird season, when seasonal residents return and open up homes that have sat closed in the humidity. For a free quote, call (954) 620-7812 or request one with the form on this page.
We serve Fort Lauderdale neighborhoods including Victoria Park, Rio Vista, Coral Ridge, Las Olas Isles, Colee Hammock, Sailboat Bend, Flagler Village, Imperial Point, Poinsettia Heights, Tarpon River, Croissant Park and Galt Ocean Mile.
AC & Heating in Fort Lauderdale: questions we hear
- Do I need a permit to replace my AC in Fort Lauderdale?
- Replacing a system or air handler, or installing a new one, typically requires a mechanical permit from the city or county building department, pulled by the licensed air-conditioning contractor and closed out after inspection. Routine maintenance, a thermostat swap or clearing a condensate drain usually does not. Rules vary, so confirm with the Fort Lauderdale or Broward County building department.
- Who actually performs the AC work?
- We contract and manage the project under our Florida Certified Building Contractor license CBC1265305, and the air-conditioning work is performed by our Florida-licensed air-conditioning subcontractors. Under s. 489.113(3), Florida Statutes, a building contractor subcontracts AC work to licensed trade contractors. Those subcontractors pull the mechanical permit.
- Does living on a canal affect my outdoor unit?
- Fort Lauderdale has hundreds of miles of canals and Intracoastal frontage, and salt air off the Atlantic corrodes metal faster near the water. Outdoor coils, cabinets and fasteners on waterfront properties can degrade earlier than inland equipment. Regular rinsing and inspection are reasonable precautions.
- What is SEER2 and does it apply to me?
- Since January 1, 2023, new central air conditioners and heat pumps are rated under the Department of Energy's SEER2 efficiency standards. Florida sits in the Southeast region, which has a higher minimum for split-system central air conditioners than northern states. Replacement equipment is specified to meet the standard in effect.
- What happens if a previous AC change-out was never permitted?
- Unpermitted or open permits can surface at sale, refinance or insurance renewal and may be cited by code enforcement. Since many Fort Lauderdale homes date from the 1950s through 1970s and most are owner-occupied according to Census ACS data, systems have often been replaced more than once. The building department can tell you what is on record for the address.
Request a free ac & heating estimate in Fort Lauderdale
Tell us about the project. We'll get back to you; the air-conditioning work is done by our Florida-licensed air-conditioning subcontractors.
Prefer to talk?
(954) 620-7812