Electrical, Plumbing & HVAC
HVAC Systems, Ductwork & Ventilation
Air conditioning, ductwork, ventilation and controls sized from load calculations and installed by licensed HVAC partners for Florida’s heat and humidity.
Overview
In Florida, an HVAC system has two jobs: cooling the air and removing moisture from it. A system that is too large cools the space quickly and shuts off before it has dehumidified, leaving rooms cool but clammy. Correct sizing, duct design and airflow matter as much as the equipment.
A licensed mechanical (HVAC) contractor partner performs the load calculation, designs the system, pulls the permit and installs the equipment and ductwork. We coordinate the system with framing, attic and insulation work, electrical capacity, ceiling heights and finishes, and verify the installation is commissioned before turnover.
Whether you are replacing a single system, adding a zone for an addition, or designing a new building, the process starts with a room-by-room load calculation rather than a rule of thumb based on square footage.
Who it’s for
- New homes and additions needing a properly sized system and duct layout
- Owners replacing aging or undersized equipment
- Homes with uneven temperatures, high humidity, or rooms that never feel comfortable
- Renovations that change room layouts, ceiling heights or insulation
- Commercial build-outs needing rooftop units, split systems, exhaust and code-required ventilation
What’s included
Typically included
- Room-by-room heat-gain load calculation (Manual J or an equivalent commercial method) by the licensed HVAC contractor
- Equipment selection matched to the load (Manual S), with attention to dehumidification capability
- Duct design (Manual D), including supply and return sizing, register locations and return-air paths
- Installation of condensers or heat pumps, air handlers, refrigerant lines and condensate drains with safety switches
- New or modified ductwork, sealed and insulated, with duct leakage testing where the energy code requires it
- Bath, laundry and kitchen exhaust, plus fresh-air ventilation where required or chosen
- Thermostats and controls, including zoning and connected thermostats
- Condenser pad or stand with wind-anchoring as required, plus permit, inspection and startup
Common exclusions
- Electrical service or panel upgrades needed for new equipment, scoped with the electrical contractor
- Ceiling and drywall repair beyond what the HVAC scope requires, unless included
- Mold remediation in existing ducts or air handlers, which is scoped separately
- Ongoing maintenance agreements
- Utility rebate applications, although we can provide equipment documentation
Every proposal lists its own inclusions and exclusions in writing.
Materials, design options & upgrades
How pricing works
HVAC work is priced per project. The estimate is built from the load calculation, which determines equipment capacity, plus the equipment efficiency and type you choose, the extent of new or modified ductwork, and the installation conditions such as attic access and equipment location.
Replacement projects are priced after the existing ductwork is evaluated, since reusing ducts that are undersized, leaking or damaged usually undermines a new system. When HVAC is part of a new build or renovation, it is included in that project’s budget.
What changes the cost
- Equipment capacity set by the load calculation
- Equipment type and efficiency: single-stage, two-stage or variable-speed; split system, package unit or mini-split
- New, modified or reused ductwork and its condition
- Air handler location and access – attic, closet or garage
- Zoning, dehumidification and ventilation additions
- Electrical changes needed for new equipment
- Commercial requirements such as rooftop units, curbs, cranes, exhaust and fire dampers
If this work is part of a larger project, it’s priced within that project’s budget — please don’t add separate estimates together. Read the pricing guide.
Typical stages
Load calculation and assessment
The licensed HVAC contractor calculates the room-by-room load and evaluates existing equipment and ductwork.
System design
Equipment, duct layout, register locations, returns, ventilation and controls are set and coordinated with the plans.
Permit and ordering
The mechanical permit is pulled and equipment is ordered.
Rough-in
Ductwork, refrigerant lines, condensate drains and control wiring are installed before insulation and drywall, then inspected.
Equipment setting
The condenser or heat pump and air handler are set, anchored and connected.
Startup, commissioning and final inspection
Refrigerant charge and airflow are checked, controls are set, final inspection is completed and you are shown how to operate the system.
What affects the schedule
- Equipment availability, especially during peak cooling season
- Electrical capacity and any service upgrade
- Sequencing with framing, roofing and insulation in new work
- Inspection availability with the local building department
- For replacements, how long you can be without cooling, which we plan around
Questions & answers
Why not just replace my system with the same size?
The original system may have been sized by rule of thumb, and your home may have changed with new windows, insulation or additions. A load calculation confirms the right capacity, and an oversized system often leaves rooms humid.
Do I need new ductwork?
Not always. If existing ducts are properly sized, sealed and in good condition, they can be reused. Ducts that leak into a hot attic or are undersized for the new equipment usually need repair or replacement.
What causes high humidity indoors even with the AC running?
Common causes include an oversized system that short-cycles, air leakage, duct leaks pulling in attic air, and inadequate exhaust. The licensed HVAC contractor can measure and diagnose before recommending a fix.
Are mini-splits a good choice for an addition?
Often, yes. They avoid extending ductwork from a system that may not have spare capacity, and they let the new space be controlled on its own.
Start here
Planning hvac systems, ductwork & ventilation?
A short form — three steps, a few minutes. Share plans or photos if you have them. We’ll review it and follow up using the contact details you provide.