Air conditioning
Replacing your AC in Palm Beach County
Your AC runs most of the year here, so it's the system you'll replace most often. Here's what a change-out really costs in north county, what the permit involves, and how to compare quotes.
By Jack Bates ยท Updated November 5, 2026
What a new AC costs here
From 1,897 permits
$9,633
was the typical value contractors declared on a AC change-out permit in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens over the last 12 months. Half of all jobs fell between $7,755 and $12,804.
| Town | Permits | Typical value |
|---|---|---|
| Jupiter | 1,002 | $9,445 |
| Palm Beach Gardens | 895 | $9,861 |
Busiest month: April (210 permits). Quietest: December (116). Permits from November 2025 to October 2026, pulled from each town's public permit records on November 5, 2026. Declared values often run below the full contract price, so use these as a rough guide for comparing quotes, not as a quote. How we counted.
That's equipment swaps on existing systems, the most common AC job in the county. New ductwork, a bigger system or a second zone costs more. Get at least two quotes for the same size equipment so you are comparing the same job.
Repair it or replace it?
There's no law here, only a few honest tests.
- The $5,000 rule of thumb. Multiply the age of the system by the repair price. Over $5,000, most people are better off replacing. It's a rule of thumb, not a rule, but it's a fair start.
- R-22 systems. If your system uses R-22 refrigerant, new R-22 hasn't been made or imported in the US since January 1, 2020. EPA. A leak on an R-22 system is usually the end of it.
- Your insurance. The 4-point inspection that Citizens and other insurers ask for on homes over 20 years old records the age and condition of your AC. Citizens 4-point FAQ.
- The timing. AC change-out permits here peaked in April and were lowest in December. If yours is limping, replacing it before summer beats replacing it during an August breakdown.
Yes, a change-out needs a permit
Every building department in the county requires a permit to swap an AC system. Mechanical work never qualifies for the 2026 state permit exemption. Section 553.79. The permit is how you get an inspection, and it's the record your insurer and your buyer will look for.
- Expect an AHRI certificate showing the indoor and outdoor units are a matched, rated pair, and a change-out form listing the old and new equipment.
- A load calculation (often called a Manual J) is required in some towns only if the system size changes. Ask for one anyway if anyone suggests going bigger.
- Outdoor units must be tied down on a rated pad or stand. Section 553.844(4).
- A Notice of Commencement is only needed for AC jobs of $15,000 or more. Section 713.135.
Permits by city
| Where you live | Who can pull the permit | What is different here |
|---|---|---|
| Jupiter Look up permits | Installing contractor | Load calculation only if resizing. Moving a rooftop unit during a re-roof needs its own permit. Source |
| Palm Beach Gardens Look up permits | Licensed contractor, or you as owner-builder | Over the counter, often approved within days. Units must be screened from view. Source |
| West Palm Beach Look up permits | Licensed contractor | The city stamps the change-out form, and it has to be on site for the inspector. Source |
| Boca Raton Look up permits | City-registered licensed contractor | Engineered drawing of how the unit is attached. Rooftop units on curbs or engineered stands. Equipment must be screened. Source |
| Unincorporated county Look up permits | Licensed contractor, or you as owner-builder | A change-out is a simple Type 1 permit. A brand-new system needs sizing and energy calculations. Source |
| Tequesta Look up permits | Licensed contractors only | Notarized installation affidavit. Video inspections are available. Source |
The “Look up permits” links open each building department's own search, where you can see past permits on your house. North Palm Beach, Juno Beach, Wellington, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach and Delray Beach have their own building departments too. Rules checked November 5, 2026.
Who's allowed to do the work
AC work in Florida is done by a Class A or Class B air conditioning contractor, or a mechanical contractor. Class B is limited to 25 tons of cooling per system, which covers nearly every home. Section 489.105. Look up any license on DBPR. Technicians who handle refrigerant also need federal EPA certification. EPA Section 608.
Questions to ask every AC company
- What is your state license number, and will you pull the permit in your company's name?
- Is this a matched system with an AHRI certificate? Can I see it before I sign?
- Are you keeping the same size? If not, will you do a load calculation?
- What's the SEER2 rating, and what will that change on my power bill?
- What's in the price: pad or stand, tie-downs, drain line, float switch, thermostat, haul-away?
- What does the warranty cover, parts and labor separately, and who registers it with the manufacturer?
Red flags
- “We don't pull permits on change-outs.” Every building department here requires one.
- A price over the phone for a different size system without anyone looking at the house.
- A one-day-only discount to get you to sign during a breakdown.
- No AHRI certificate, or a mismatched indoor and outdoor unit.
Who pulled the most AC permits
Permit activity, not a recommendation. We haven't finished our checks on this trade, so nobody here is ranked or endorsed yet.
These AC companies pulled the most change-out permits in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens in the last 12 months.
| Company | Jupiter | Gardens | Permits | Typical value | State license | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning | 123 | 92 | 215 | $17,998 | Several state licenses. We could not tell which one covers these permits. | 4.7 (8,397 reviews) |
| CMI Air Conditioning & Electrical | 62 | 75 | 137 | $8,977 | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC1817970, current, active | 4.4 (296 reviews) |
| Stephen K. Denny | 70 | 55 | 125 | $12,500 | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC1813800, current, active | 4.9 (2,110 reviews) |
| Lindstrom Air Conditioning & Plumbing | 17 | 77 | 94 | $10,528 | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC056703, current, active | 4.8 (157 reviews) |
| Complete Comfort Air Conditioning & Heating | 61 | 31 | 92 | $9,417 | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC1820045, current, active | 5.0 (1,059 reviews) |
| Miklos Air | 55 | 18 | 73 | $9,266 | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC036799, current, active | 4.9 (928 reviews) |
| Preferred Air Conditioning & Mechanical | 23 | 32 | 55 | $10,908 | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC1817665, current, active | Not sure we found the right listing |
| Edward's Air Enterprise | 34 | 16 | 50 | $7,422 | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC058733, current, active | 4.6 (131 reviews) |
| Kyzar Air Conditioning | 23 | 25 | 48 | $11,524 | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC1814778, current, active | 5.0 (1,931 reviews) |
| Hopkins Air Conditioning | 14 | 33 | 47 | $11,000 | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC045866, current, active | 4.9 (2,811 reviews) |
| Cooling Advisors | 20 | 21 | 41 | $10,876 | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC1818662, current, active | 4.9 (1,302 reviews) |
| CM Air & Refrigeration | 28 | 3 | 31 | $8,028 | Certified Air Conditioning Contractor CAC1821652, current, active | 4.9 (156 reviews) |
Busy is not the same as good. This list is who pulled the most permits in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens from November 2025 to October 2026, with the license we looked up on the state's DBPR license search and the Google rating on November 5, 2026. We have not yet run our full checks (complaints, review activity and the call test) on this trade, so nobody here is ranked or recommended yet. How we check.
Your questions, answered
How much does a new AC system cost in Palm Beach County?
Across 1,897 AC change-out permits in Jupiter and Palm Beach Gardens over the last year, the typical declared value was $9,633, and half of all jobs fell between $7,755 and $12,804. Declared values usually run below the contract price, and new ductwork or a bigger system costs more.
Should I repair or replace my AC?
A common rule of thumb is to multiply the system's age by the repair price. Over $5,000, replacing usually makes more sense. Systems that use R-22 refrigerant are hard to repair because new R-22 hasn't been made or imported in the US since 2020.
Do I need a permit to replace my AC?
Yes. Every building department in Palm Beach County requires a permit for an AC change-out, and mechanical work never qualifies for the 2026 state permit exemption.
How long does an AC last in Florida?
There's no official number. Homeowners in local forums plan around 10 to 15 years because units here run most of the year. For insurance, what matters is the age and condition recorded on your 4-point inspection.
What size AC do I need?
The right size comes from a load calculation (often called a Manual J), which looks at your home's size, windows, insulation and sun. Some towns here require one only if the system size changes. If anyone recommends going bigger, ask for the calculation.
Who can install an AC in Florida?
A licensed Class A or Class B air conditioning contractor, or a licensed mechanical contractor. You can look up any license on the state's DBPR website. Technicians who handle refrigerant also need EPA Section 608 certification.
Sources
- EPA
- Citizens 4-point FAQ
- Section 553.79
- Section 553.844(4)
- Section 713.135
- Jupiter building department: ac
- Palm Beach Gardens building department: ac
- West Palm Beach building department: ac
- Boca Raton building department: ac
- Unincorporated county building department: ac
- Tequesta building department: ac
- Section 489.105
- DBPR
- EPA Section 608
Rules and prices checked November 5, 2026. Rules change, so confirm with your city and your insurer before you sign anything.