HVAC Questions and Answers Straight Answers From Our Sarasota Team

You have three options. Call (941) 417-4848 for the fastest response, use the Book Online button to choose an appointment time yourself, or send a message through our contact page. For a system that has stopped cooling, calling is best because we can check same-day availability right away.

Yes. Our office keeps weekday hours, but emergency dispatch runs 24/7. Club members on the Comfort or Comfort+ tier skip after-hours charges entirely. If you are dealing with no cooling in extreme heat, water overflowing indoors or a burning smell, turn the system off and call us. Sarasota and Bradenton residents can read more on our emergency AC repair page.

The Reliance Comfort Promise is our same-day commitment: if you call about an AC failure before 2 PM, we provide service that day, or your diagnostic fee is free. It exists because a failed air conditioner in Southwest Florida is a real problem, not an inconvenience to schedule for next week.

Our standard diagnostic fee is $99, and it is waived when you approve the repair (a minimum repair amount applies). The visit covers finding the actual cause, not just the symptom. You then receive a written, flat-rate price for the fix. Learn what is involved on our AC diagnostic service page.

No. We use flat-rate pricing, which means the price is set by the job rather than the clock. Your technician explains the problem, lists your options with prices in writing, and starts only after you approve. If something unexpected turns up mid-job, we stop and get your approval on any change before continuing.

Every new system we install carries our 10-Year Comfort Guarantee on workmanship. If your system breaks down in the first ten years because of how we installed it, we fix it at no labor cost. This is separate from the manufacturer's equipment warranty, which we register for you after installation.

Yes. We work with GreenSky, FTL Finance and Wisetack, and each begins with a soft-pull pre-qualification. Qualified buyers may receive 0% APR promotional periods of 12, 18 or 24 months, subject to credit approval. Smaller repairs often fit Wisetack, while larger replacements may suit GreenSky. Compare lenders on our financing page.

The Club is our maintenance membership with three tiers. Depending on the plan, members receive one or two 21-point tune-ups a year, 10% to 20% off repairs, priority dispatch, free filter delivery, and on higher tiers no after-hours fees. New members get their first month free. See the tier comparison on the Club page.

Common causes include a clogged filter, a thermostat set to fan or heat, a tripped outdoor breaker, a failed capacitor, or low refrigerant from a leak. Check the filter and thermostat first. If air is still warm after that, shut the system off and schedule a diagnosis. Our warm air troubleshooting guide walks through each step.

Turn the cooling off and run only the fan so the ice can melt. Running a frozen system strains the compressor. Ice usually points to restricted airflow from a dirty filter or blocked return, or to low refrigerant. Replace the filter once it thaws; if ice returns, you likely need a leak check from a technician.

In Florida the usual culprit is a clogged condensate drain line, since constant humidity feeds algae and sludge in the pipe. A cracked drain pan or a frozen coil that is thawing can also cause leaks. Switch the system off to protect ceilings and floors, then call us to clear the line and check the float switch.

It depends on the age of the system, the cost of the repair compared with a new unit, how often it has needed work, and your energy bills. An older system needing an expensive repair often makes replacement the better value. Our technicians will tell you honestly if a repair makes sense. Our repair or replace guide breaks down the factors.

We install and service Trane, Daikin, Amana, Bryant and other major brands, including RunTru by Trane. We recommend equipment based on your home, budget and comfort goals. Compare two popular options in our Trane vs Daikin guide.

Yes. Most Gulf Coast homes rely on a heat pump, and we repair them in both cooling and heating modes, from reversing valves to defrost controls. See our heat pump repair page for details. When a cold front arrives and the house will not warm up, our heating repair service covers electric heat strips, emergency heat and gas furnaces.

We size equipment with a load calculation that considers your square footage plus insulation, windows, sun exposure, ceiling height and duct condition. Oversized systems cool quickly but shut off before removing enough humidity, which is a real issue in Florida. Undersized systems run nonstop. Proper sizing is part of every installation quote.

Yes. As a Florida-licensed Class A air-conditioning contractor (CAC1819474), we pull the required permits for replacements and new installations and coordinate the inspection. Skipping a permit can create problems with insurance, warranties and resale, so be cautious of any contractor who suggests it.

The federal 25C energy efficient home improvement credit ended for equipment placed in service after December 31, 2025, so it is no longer available for new installs. Utility or manufacturer rebates may still apply to qualifying equipment. Our article on Florida HVAC tax credits in 2026 explains the change.

Twice a year is a sensible standard here, typically in spring before peak heat and again in fall. Our systems run most of the year in humid, often salty air, which wears parts and clogs drains faster than in milder climates. Read more about preventive maintenance or book a single AC tune-up.

Check a standard one-inch filter monthly and replace it whenever it looks gray or clogged, which in a busy Florida household can be every month or two. Thicker media filters last longer. A dirty filter is one of the most common causes of frozen coils, weak airflow and higher bills, so this small habit pays off.

We install UV lights, REME HALO whole-home purification, air purifiers and dehumidification equipment. The right choice depends on whether your main concern is humidity, allergens, odors or mold growth on the coil. The EPA notes that indoor levels of some pollutants can be two to five times higher than outdoors. See our indoor air quality services.

The EPA recommends keeping indoor relative humidity below 60 percent, ideally between 30 and 50 percent. In Florida, a properly sized AC removes a lot of moisture, but oversized systems, leaky ducts and open-plan homes can struggle. If your home feels clammy or smells musty, a whole-home dehumidifier may help.

They are a strong option for additions, garages, sunrooms and older homes without good ductwork. Because there are no ducts, there are no duct losses, and inverter compressors adjust output to the load. For whole-home cooling, compare the trade-offs in our mini-split vs central AC guide or visit our mini-split installation page.

Cleaning removes dust and debris that has built up inside the ducts. Sealing closes leaks at joints and seams so conditioned air reaches your rooms instead of the attic. Many Florida homes benefit more from sealing than cleaning, and some need both. Our duct services page explains the options, including Aeroseal.

Yes. We repair and maintain systems for offices, retail spaces, rental properties and restaurants, including rooftop units. Property managers can set up ongoing service across multiple buildings. Explore commercial HVAC services or our pages for restaurant HVAC and property managers.

We dispatch from Sarasota across Sarasota, Manatee, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties, from Venice and North Port to Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, St. Petersburg, Clearwater and Tampa. If your community is not listed, call (941) 417-4848 to confirm. See the full list on our service areas page.