REPAIR · REPLACEMENT · COSTS · FLORIDA-SPECIFIC
Orlando AC & HVAC FAQ - Answers from Father and Son
The common questions we get on repair, replacement, costs, maintenance, and Florida-specific AC problems. Each answer is short - tap through for the full explanation.
Real answers, not generic filler.
This hub covers the questions Orlando homeowners actually ask Tony and Jon Luke on service calls. They group into five topics - AC repair, AC replacement, costs, maintenance, and Florida-specific issues like humidity and the R-22 phase-out. We answer each one briefly here and link to a full page when the topic needs more room. Father and Son is owner-operated and Florida CAC1823678 licensed.
FAQ by topic
Short answers below; follow each link for the full breakdown.
AC Repair
We prioritize same-day service during business hours - many Orlando repairs get diagnosed and fixed in a single visit. Tony and Jon Luke run the calls themselves, so there's no third-party answering service in between.
See how same-day service works →Capacitor failure is one of the most common AC repairs in Florida, because year-round operation and 130°F+ attic heat wear capacitors out faster than in northern climates.
Read why capacitors fail most →An AC that runs but doesn't cool usually points to one of six causes: a failed capacitor, low refrigerant, a frozen coil, a dirty condenser, a thermostat fault, or a blower problem. Most can be pinned down quickly with electrical, refrigerant, airflow, and thermostat checks.
See all six causes →Ice on the coil or refrigerant line usually means low refrigerant, a dirty filter, or restricted airflow - and Florida humidity makes it more common here. Turn off cooling, run the fan to thaw, then call for diagnosis.
See the freeze-up fixes →AC Replacement
Replace instead of repair when the system is 12+ years old with a major failure, the repair tops 40% of replacement cost, it uses R-22 refrigerant, or it's needed 3+ major repairs in a year. Otherwise, repair.
See the replacement math →Florida AC systems typically last 10-15 years - shorter than the 15-20 years common up north - because they run 10-12 months a year and fight humidity and attic heat. Many start showing major failure risk around the 12-14 year mark.
Read what shortens AC life here →R-22 refrigerant production and import ended in 2020, so remaining reclaimed supply is limited and expensive. If your system is 13+ years old and needs refrigerant, it likely runs R-22, and replacement usually beats refilling with scarce, costly refrigerant.
See the R-22 details →Costs
Common Orlando AC repairs run from a $49-$150 diagnostic (waived with repair) and a $150-$300 capacitor up to $1,500-$3,500 for a compressor; a full 3-ton system replacement runs $5,800-$9,000.
See the full pricing table →A full 3-ton system replacement in Orlando runs $5,800-$9,000 from Father and Son, with Manual J sizing, a matched system, permit, and warranty registration included - quality-tier pricing, not a budget bid.
See AC replacement options →Maintenance
Twice a year in Florida - a spring pre-cooling tune-up and a fall check - because systems here run 10-12 months a year, far more than the once-a-year northern schedule.
See the Florida service schedule →Florida-Specific
Yes - AC replacement in Orlando requires permitting and inspection under the Florida Building Code and local jurisdiction rules, and Father and Son handles the required permit steps as part of the replacement quote. Skipping it can create resale, insurance, or inspection problems.
Read the permit rules →You can also verify our Certified Air Conditioning Contractor credential (CAC1823678) directly at Florida's DBPR license lookup.
Have a question that isn't here?
Or need it fixed today? Tony and Jon Luke stay directly involved in the calls and the service work - it's an owner-operated shop, not a dispatch chain.