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Site assessment
We look at the current system, the ductwork condition, the electrical panel and disconnect, and where the outdoor unit sits. What's already there shapes everything that follows.
MANUAL J / D / S · AHRI-MATCHED · PERMITTED
AC Replacement in Orlando - Honest Math, Manual J/D/S Included
Most Orlando systems should be repaired, not replaced. When the math says replace, Tony or Jon Luke runs the job - Manual J load calc, Manual D duct check, and Manual S equipment match included.
AC Replacement · Orlando
You replace when the math says so.
A new 3-ton AC system in Orlando from Father and Son ranges from $5,800 to $9,000 installed. Pricing varies by SEER2 rating, brand, ductwork condition, electrical upgrades required, and whether the outdoor unit needs a new hurricane-rated pad. Manual J load calc, Manual D duct design, Manual S equipment selection, permit, and commissioning are all included on every job. Tony or Jon Luke is on site, not a subcontractor crew. 0% promotional financing for 25 months available through Synchrony. CAC1823678 licensed.
Credentials
Licensed, Certified, and Owner-Accountable
Florida CAC1823678 LicensedCertified Air Conditioning Contractor, Class B. Verify on the Florida DBPR →
Tony in the trade since 1995 - 30+ yearsSizing Florida systems with Manual J/D/S and AHRI-matched pairs.
5.0 Google ratingFrom named Orlando customers.
Authorized Goodman dealerWith warranty labor handling included.
Synchrony financing availableOn repairs and replacements.
When to replace instead of repair
Most of the time you should repair, not replace. We only recommend a new system when one of four things is true - tap the ones that match your system.
Does your system… Tap each one that applies.
None selected
Lean toward repair
Most Orlando systems should be fixed, not replaced. See how we diagnose a fix versus a failure on our AC repair in Orlando page - that's where the repair-or-replace decision gets resolved.
Our replacement process
A replacement is a swap of an existing system. Building new or adding conditioned square footage is a different scope - see our AC installation services. For a like-for-like or upgrade replacement, here's exactly what happens.
Why our replacement costs what it does
Our pricing reflects work a lot of low-bid quotes leave out - and that's deliberate. Here's what's built into the number.
That's why a Father and Son quote isn't the cheapest number you'll see - and why it's the one you don't pay for twice.
Equipment lines we install
We install eight brands, and we'll be straight about where each one fits - without steering you toward the highest-margin box.
Which brand is right depends on your budget, your efficiency target, and how long you plan to stay in the home. We'll walk you through it without steering you toward the highest-margin box.
Florida-specific considerations
Replacing a system in Central Florida isn't the same job as replacing one in Ohio - and the spec sheet reflects that.
Humidity-rated coil spec
Florida's 90%-plus summer humidity makes dehumidification as important as raw cooling, so we spec coil and blower combinations that pull moisture - the difference between cold-and-clammy and cold-and-comfortable.
Hurricane-rated pad & tie-down
The outdoor unit sits on a hurricane-rated pad and gets tied down per code, so it stays put in a named-storm wind event.
R-454B refrigerant
New systems use R-454B, the current standard now replacing R-410A - a lower-global-warming-potential refrigerant that future-proofs your equipment against the next phase-down.
Florida Building Code permitting
Every changeout is permitted and inspected under the Florida Building Code - no exceptions.
SEER2 efficiency minimum
Florida sits in the federal Southeast region, where new split-system ACs under 45,000 BTU - including a 3-ton system - must meet SEER2 14.3 (equivalent to 15.0 SEER), above the national 13.4 floor. We won't install below it.
Pricing and financing
Honest numbers up front, and financing with the terms stated plainly.
A new 3-ton system runs $5,800 to $9,000 installed - where you land depends on the SEER2 rating, the brand, your existing ductwork condition, any electrical upgrades, and whether the outdoor unit needs a new hurricane-rated pad. For the full breakdown, see our full AC replacement cost guide. We offer financing through Synchrony - six plans in total, including a 0% promotional plan for 25 months. You can explore Synchrony financing options or apply for financing now.
One honest note on that 0% plan: it's a deferred-interest promotion, not a no-strings loan. Pay the full balance within the 25-month window and you pay no interest. If you don't, interest at 32.99% APR is calculated retroactively from the original purchase date on the entire original balance - not just the remaining amount. Subject to credit approval. Financing terms subject to change by Synchrony.
Frequently asked questions
The questions Orlando homeowners ask most about replacing an AC system.
How much does AC replacement cost in Orlando?
A new 3-ton AC system from Father and Son ranges from $5,800 to $9,000 installed. Your price depends on the SEER2 rating you choose, the brand, your existing ductwork condition, any electrical upgrades, and whether the outdoor unit needs a new hurricane-rated pad. Manual J, Manual D, Manual S, the permit, and commissioning are all included in that price.
How long does a Florida AC system last?
Most AC systems in Central Florida last 10 to 15 years, compared with 15 to 20 in northern markets. The difference is runtime - Florida systems run 10 to 12 months a year, so the equipment simply accumulates more wear in the same number of calendar years.
Is Manual J really necessary?
Yes. A Manual J load calculation sizes the system to your home's actual room-by-room cooling load rather than copying the old unit's tonnage. Skipping it is how homes end up with oversized systems that short-cycle and leave the air humid. We run Manual J, Manual D, and Manual S on every replacement.
What financing is available for AC replacement?
We offer six Synchrony financing plans, including a 0% promotional plan for 25 months. That promotional plan is a deferred-interest offer: pay the full balance within 25 months and you owe no interest, but if you don't, interest at 32.99% APR applies retroactively from the purchase date on the entire original balance. Subject to credit approval. Financing terms subject to change by Synchrony.
When should I replace my AC instead of repairing it?
Replace when the math justifies it: the system is 12+ years old, a repair would cost more than 40% of a new system, it still runs R-22 refrigerant, or it has needed three or more major repairs in the past 12 months. If none of those apply, repairing it is usually the right call.
Past twelve? Leaking R-22? Stacking repairs?
Ready to talk replacement?
If your system is past twelve, leaking R-22, or stacking up repair bills, get an honest assessment - not a sales pitch. Speak with Tony or Jon Luke today, or request a quote and we'll lay out the math.