Hiring an AC contractor after a hurricane or long outage
Emergency rules for unlicensed contractors, what to do with flooded or storm-hit equipment, and how to avoid door-to-door repair scams.
After a hurricane, air conditioners fail in several ways: surge damage when power returns, floodwater in the outdoor unit, debris through the coil, or simply a unit that ran flat out through a heat wave. Demand for repairs spikes, and so do offers from people you have never heard of. Here is how to handle it.
The law is stricter in an emergency
Under section 489.127, unlicensed contracting is a first-degree misdemeanor for a first offense and a third-degree felony for a repeat offense. During a declared state of emergency, even a first offense is a third-degree felony. That is the reason to insist on a licence number even when you are hot, tired and in a hurry.
Check the licence in 60 seconds
Ask for the licence number, then look it up on DBPR's Verify a License page or in this directory. Confirm the name matches the company on the paperwork, and that the status is Current and Active. A registered (RA) contractor may work only in the jurisdictions where registered, which matters when crews travel from other counties. Our verification guide has the full steps.
Warning signs
- Someone knocks on your door unprompted and offers a "free inspection" of your system.
- A request for most or all of the price in cash, or a demand for a deposit before any written contract.
- No licence number on the truck, the estimate or the advertising.
- Pressure to decide today because the "price goes up tomorrow."
- An offer to skip the permit.
Flooded equipment
If floodwater reached your outdoor condenser, air handler, electrical panel or the wiring that feeds them, do not turn the system on. Water and electricity, and silt in motors and controls, can cause damage and hazards that are not visible from outside. Have a licensed contractor inspect it, and an electrician check the circuit if the panel was wet. FEMA and the National Flood Insurance Program publish guidance on flood recovery and mitigation, including raising equipment above flood level when you rebuild; ask your local building department what applies at your address.
Power surges and generators
Compressors and control boards are sensitive to low or fluctuating voltage. If your power is unstable, turn the system off at the thermostat and breaker until service is steady. If you run a generator, never operate it indoors or in a garage, and have a licensed electrician install any connection to the house; improper backfeeding can injure utility workers. Our Florida electrician directory is a place to start for the electrical side.
Insurance
If damage is storm-related, photograph the equipment and the model plate before anyone touches it, and report the claim to your insurer. Be wary of anyone who offers to waive, absorb or rebate your insurance deductible: Florida's roofing statute (section 489.147) treats deductible waivers as insurance fraud, and your policy makes you responsible for the deductible. Ask your insurer how the claim process works before you sign anything. Keep every receipt for emergency repairs.
After the repair
Keep the invoice, the permit number if one was pulled, and the model and serial numbers of anything installed. Run the system for a full cooling cycle while the technician is still on site, and check that the thermostat, drain line and outdoor unit all behave normally. Register any new equipment with the manufacturer within the period the warranty requires, and ask the contractor to confirm in writing what the labour warranty covers. If something fails within days, call the contractor first and put the request in writing, so there is a dated record if you later need to file a complaint with DBPR.
Temporary cooling
If a full replacement will take weeks, ask about a repair, a loaner, or a window or portable unit rather than rushing into a system that may not fit. Heat is a health risk for older adults, infants and people with chronic conditions; seek help from local emergency management if you cannot cool a safe room.
General information only, current as of the date above. The information on Florida HVAC Contractor Check is not a recommendation or a guarantee of anyone's work. A license record shows registration status on the date shown, not workmanship, insurance coverage at the time of your job, or suitability for your project. Confirm license, insurance and permits directly before you hire. Rules and programs change; check the official sources linked in this guide.