Questions to ask an HVAC contractor in Jacksonville before you sign

How will you size the system?

The best first question. A careful contractor measures the house and runs a Manual J load calculation, then explains the result. A contractor who reads the old unit's label and quotes the same size hasn't sized anything. In a humid climate, sizing drives comfort more than any other decision.

Follow up: will I get a copy of the load calculation? The answer should be yes.

What exactly am I buying?

Ask for model numbers for the outdoor unit, the indoor coil or air handler, and the thermostat, plus the SEER2 and HSPF2 ratings and the AHRI certificate number for the matched system. Without these, you can't compare quotes, because two systems with the same tonnage can be very different.

Ask whether the indoor unit is being replaced. Keeping an old coil with a new outdoor unit can lower the real efficiency and cost you the JEA rebate.

Is the permit included?

Replacements and new installations in Jacksonville require a permit and an inspection. The quote should say who pulls it and whether its cost is included. A contractor who suggests skipping the permit to save money is cutting a corner you'll pay for later.

Who files the rebate?

JEA's $200 equipment rebate requires qualifying equipment and paperwork filed within 90 days. Ask whether the contractor confirms eligibility before the install and files the application afterward. Ask them to confirm the equipment meets the 16 SEER2 minimum on the AHRI certificate, not just the outdoor unit's sticker.

If a 2026 quote subtracts a federal tax credit, ask when that credit expired. Section 25C ended on December 31, 2025.

How will the refrigerant charge be set?

A properly installed system is evacuated to a deep vacuum, then charged by measuring superheat or subcooling against the manufacturer's specifications. Ask whether those readings will be recorded and left with you. A charge set by feel or by the sight of frost on a line is a guess.

What happens to the old equipment and refrigerant?

Refrigerant must be recovered, not vented. The old equipment should be hauled away. Ask whether both are included in the price, and whether the line set will be flushed or replaced.

Who will do the work?

Ask who will actually be at your house on install day and who will be responsible if something needs adjusting afterward. You want to know the crew that sets the equipment is the same company you're signing with, and who to call if a question comes up in the first weeks.

Will the ducts be checked?

A new system on leaky or undersized ducts won't perform as rated. Ask whether the contractor will inspect the ducts, measure static pressure, and recommend fixes where needed. A quote that ignores the ducts entirely may be leaving the biggest comfort problem untouched.

What happens if something isn't right after the install?

Ask how follow-up questions and adjustments are handled in the first weeks, such as a thermostat setting, a noisy register or a room that runs warm. The answer tells you a lot about how the company works. You're looking for a clear path to get someone back out, not a promise that nothing will go wrong.

What's in the written price?

The quote should list equipment, labor, permit, disposal, line set, thermostat, electrical work and any duct changes. Anything left vague is where surprise charges come from. A contractor confident in their price puts it all in writing.

For repairs, ask for the price in writing after diagnosis and before any part is replaced. You should never learn the cost of a repair after it's done.