Buying a New AC in Florida: SEER2, New Refrigerants and What to Know

If your air conditioner is aging, you may be shopping for a replacement for the first time in a decade or more. A lot has changed since then, including how efficiency is measured and which refrigerants new systems use. Here’s what to know before you sign a contract.

What SEER2 means

Efficiency for air conditioners is measured with a rating called SEER, and since January 1, 2023 it’s measured with a stricter test called SEER2. The numbers aren’t directly comparable, so a SEER2 rating is a little lower than the old SEER number for the same equipment.

Federal minimums vary by region, and Florida is in the Southeast. In that region, most residential split-system air conditioners under 45,000 BTU per hour must be at least 14.3 SEER2. Because Florida systems run most of the year, a higher-efficiency system can pay back more of its extra cost through lower electric bills than it would in a cooler state.

Refrigerants are changing

Older systems used R-22, which was phased out, and later R-410A. Under federal rules to phase down certain refrigerants, new residential air conditioners are now built around newer, lower-impact refrigerants such as R-454B or R-32.

• Your existing R-410A system can still be serviced and repaired. There’s no need to replace a working system just because of the change.
• Parts and refrigerants aren’t interchangeable. A system designed for one refrigerant can’t simply be switched to another, so a replacement may involve matching the indoor and outdoor equipment.
• The newer refrigerants are mildly flammable (classified A2L), which is one more reason installation should be done by trained technicians following current codes.

Sizing matters more than most people think

Bigger isn’t better. An oversized system cools the house quickly and shuts off before it has time to pull humidity out of the air, which leaves the home cool but clammy. An undersized system runs constantly and never catches up. A good contractor sizes the system with a proper load calculation rather than guessing from square footage alone.

Permits and hurricane requirements

Replacing an air conditioner in Florida requires a mechanical permit and an inspection, and Broward County has stricter hurricane-zone rules for how outdoor equipment is installed. Ask any contractor you’re comparing how permits and inspections are handled.

When to replace instead of repair

• The system is 10 to 15 years old or older.
• Repairs are getting frequent or expensive.
• Rooms are uneven or humid even though the system runs constantly.
• Your cooling bills keep climbing.

Not sure? A technician can tell you honestly whether repairing your AC makes sense or whether it’s time to look at a new installation. For a garage, addition or enclosed porch, a mini split is often a cleaner solution than extending ductwork.

Questions to ask any contractor

1. How will you size the system?
2. Who pulls the permit, and is an inspection included?
3. What warranty covers the equipment, and what covers the labor?
4. Will you inspect and test the ductwork?
5. What is the efficiency rating, and what will it likely save me?

A clear, upfront answer to each of these is a good sign you’re dealing with a contractor you can trust.