Frequently Asked Questions

A full AC replacement in South Florida typically costs between $3,500 and $7,500 installed, depending on the size of the unit, the brand, and the complexity of the installation. Energy-efficient systems (16 SEER+ rated) cost more upfront but significantly reduce your monthly electric bill. We offer free in-home estimates and flexible financing options to make a new system affordable.

No — we offer free estimates for all AC installations and new system replacements. For diagnostic service calls on repairs, there is a standard service call fee which is waived if you proceed with the repair. We believe you should know exactly what something costs before you commit to anything.

After-hours and emergency service does carry an additional fee compared to standard business-hours service. However, we're transparent about this upfront — we'll tell you the after-hours rate before dispatching a technician so you can make an informed decision. We never surprise you with hidden emergency charges on your bill.

Yes! We offer flexible financing options on new AC system installations, including 0% interest promotional plans for qualified customers. This means you can get a brand-new, energy-efficient system installed today and spread out the payments. Ask our team about current financing promotions when you call for your free estimate.

In South Florida's hot and humid climate, we recommend twice-yearly AC maintenance — once before summer (April/May) and once heading into fall (October/November). Florida's extreme heat and year-round AC use puts far more strain on systems than in cooler climates. Regular tune-ups extend equipment life, maintain efficiency, and help catch small issues before they become expensive emergencies.

Our 21-point AC tune-up includes: cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils, checking and topping off refrigerant levels, inspecting electrical connections and contacts, lubricating moving parts, cleaning the condensate drain line, testing thermostat calibration, replacing or checking the air filter, inspecting ductwork for visible leaks, measuring airflow and static pressure, and testing overall system performance. You receive a written report on everything we checked.

In Miami, most homes should change their AC filter every 1–2 months. Factors that increase frequency include pets, allergies, dusty environments, and running your AC constantly (which is essentially everyone in South Florida). A clogged filter is one of the top causes of AC inefficiency and breakdowns — it restricts airflow, forces the system to work harder, and can cause the evaporator coil to freeze.

Our annual maintenance plan includes two tune-up visits per year, priority scheduling, discounted parts and labor on any repairs needed, and a reminder system so you never miss a service. In South Florida, where AC runs nearly 365 days a year, a maintenance plan typically pays for itself by preventing one costly emergency repair per year. Plan members also get to the front of the line during peak season.

For safety and best results, coil cleaning should be done by a licensed HVAC technician. Attempting DIY coil cleaning without the right equipment and chemicals can damage fins or push debris deeper into the coil. What you can safely do as a homeowner: keep the area around your outdoor unit clear of debris, trim vegetation at least 2 feet away, and rinse the exterior of the unit gently with a garden hose from top to bottom (never with a pressure washer).

An AC blowing warm air is usually caused by one of these issues: low refrigerant (indicating a leak), a dirty evaporator or condenser coil, a faulty compressor, a tripped circuit breaker on the outdoor unit, or a stuck reversing valve (on heat pumps). Start by checking your thermostat is set to COOL and the temperature is below your current room temperature. Then check that both your indoor air handler and outdoor unit are running. If both are on but you're still getting warm air, call us — this typically requires a technician.

Water dripping inside from your AC is almost always a clogged condensate drain line — a very common issue in Florida's humid climate. Algae and mold love growing in the drain line. Other causes include a frozen evaporator coil (often from a dirty filter or low refrigerant) or a cracked drain pan. You can try pouring a cup of diluted bleach into the drain access point to clear minor clogs. If leaking persists or is significant, call us — ignoring it can cause ceiling and drywall damage.

Different noises point to different problems: Banging or clanking usually means a loose or broken part inside the compressor or blower assembly. Squealing or screeching often indicates a worn fan belt or motor bearing. Clicking sounds when starting or stopping can be normal, but repeated clicking may signal a failing relay or capacitor. Hissing or bubbling usually means refrigerant is leaking. Grinding suggests metal-on-metal contact — turn off the unit immediately and call us to prevent further damage.

Your AC removes humidity as part of the cooling process, but oversized units, low refrigerant, a dirty evaporator coil, or leaky ductwork can all reduce its dehumidification ability. In Miami's climate, high humidity indoors (above 55% relative humidity) can cause mold growth, discomfort, and health issues. If you're experiencing this, it's worth having a technician assess your system's sizing and condition. In some cases, a whole-home dehumidifier is the best solution.

Before calling, run through this quick checklist: 1) Check your thermostat — make sure it's set to COOL and the temperature is below the room temperature. Replace batteries if needed. 2) Check your circuit breaker panel — look for a tripped breaker labeled 'AC', 'Air Handler', or 'Condenser'. Reset it once. 3) Check the disconnect switch near your outdoor unit — it should be in the ON position. 4) Check for a clogged condensate drain — many systems have a float switch that shuts the unit off if the drain pan fills up. If none of these fix it, call us.

Run through this quick checklist before you call: 1) Thermostat — confirm it's set to COOL, fan is on AUTO, and temperature is set correctly. 2) Circuit breakers — check for tripped breakers in your electrical panel (both indoor and outdoor units have separate breakers). 3) Air filter — a severely clogged filter can cause many problems including freezing and poor airflow. 4) Outdoor unit — make sure nothing is blocking it and the unit is actually running. 5) Vents — confirm supply and return vents are open and unobstructed. If everything checks out and the issue persists, we're here to help.

Having this information ready will speed up your service call: Your AC system brand and model number (usually on a sticker on the outdoor unit or air handler), the approximate age of your system, what symptoms you're experiencing and when they started, whether the problem is constant or intermittent, and your address including any gate codes or access instructions. The more detail you can share, the better we can prepare the technician with the right parts and tools.

It depends on the symptom. You can usually keep running your AC if: there's a minor temperature issue that isn't causing ice buildup, humidity is slightly higher than normal, or you hear occasional minor sounds. You should turn your AC OFF immediately if: you see or smell smoke, notice ice forming on the unit, hear loud grinding or banging, smell burning or electrical odors, or notice significant water leaking indoors. Running a damaged system can turn a minor repair into a major one — when in doubt, turn it off and call us.

A standard diagnostic and repair call typically takes 1–2 hours. Simple repairs like capacitor replacements or refrigerant top-offs can be done in under an hour. More complex issues like blower motor replacements or coil cleaning may take 2–3 hours. If a part needs to be ordered, we'll perform the diagnostic visit, order the part, and schedule a return visit — usually within 1–2 business days. Full AC installations typically take a full day (6–8 hours).

Yes, we ask that an adult (18+) be present during the service visit. Our technician will need to access both your indoor air handler and your outdoor unit, and we want to walk you through what was found and what was repaired. If you have a security alarm, gate code, or a pet that needs to be secured, please have that information ready when you schedule. We'll give you a 30-minute call-ahead so you know exactly when to expect us.

AC sizing is determined by a Manual J load calculation that accounts for your home's square footage, ceiling height, insulation quality, window types and orientation, local climate, and number of occupants. In Florida, rule-of-thumb sizing often leads to oversized units that short-cycle, waste energy, and fail to dehumidify properly. Santy's always performs a proper load calculation before recommending a system size — never just replacing the old unit with the same tonnage without evaluating whether it was ever correctly sized.

A standard residential AC replacement (new condenser and air handler) typically takes 6–8 hours and is completed in a single day. We arrive, disconnect and remove your old equipment, install the new system, make all electrical and refrigerant connections, test the full system, and walk you through the new unit's operation before we leave. Your home will be cool again the same day in most cases.

In South Florida's demanding climate, a well-maintained central AC system typically lasts 12–18 years. Units that run without regular maintenance in Florida's heat and humidity may fail in as few as 8–10 years. Factors that extend equipment life include: regular semi-annual maintenance, keeping the air filter clean, adequate airflow around the outdoor unit, and running a dehumidifier to reduce system load. Investing in an annual maintenance plan is the single best thing you can do to maximize your system's lifespan.

Santy's is an authorized dealer for Carrier, Trane, and Lennox — three of the most respected brands in the HVAC industry. We also service and install Bryant, Rheem, Goodman, Daikin, and most other major brands. Our recommendation depends on your budget, efficiency goals, and home layout. We'll give you honest pros and cons on each option — we're not pushing any single brand because it pays us more commissions.

A good rule of thumb is the '5,000 rule': multiply the age of your unit (in years) by the estimated repair cost. If the result exceeds $5,000, replacement is usually the smarter financial decision. For example, a 10-year-old unit facing a $600 repair = $6,000 — consider replacement. Other factors that tip toward replacement: refrigerant R-22 system (now discontinued and very expensive to service), frequent breakdowns in the past 2 years, or significantly rising energy bills despite maintenance.

Yes — Santy's has been servicing commercial HVAC systems across Miami-Dade for over 35 years. We work with offices, retail stores, restaurants, medical facilities, warehouses, and multi-family residential buildings. Our commercial team handles rooftop package units, split systems, chillers, VAV systems, and more. We offer preventive maintenance contracts tailored to commercial properties to minimize downtime and keep your business comfortable year-round.

Yes — commercial maintenance contracts are one of our most popular services. A contract typically includes scheduled quarterly or semi-annual inspections, priority emergency response (usually under 2 hours), discounted rates on parts and labor, detailed service reports for each visit, and a dedicated account contact. For restaurants, medical offices, and other businesses where HVAC failure directly impacts operations, a maintenance contract is essential insurance.

For commercial clients with a maintenance contract, our target response time is under 2 hours anywhere in Miami-Dade County. For non-contract commercial clients, we do our best to respond same-day, though priority is given to contract holders during peak demand periods. If your business has a critical cooling need (data center, medical, restaurant), we strongly recommend a maintenance agreement to guarantee fast response when it matters most.