---
title: "How to Read an AC Replacement Quote in Palm Beach County"
description: "What each line on an AC replacement quote means in Palm Beach County: tonnage, SEER2, the permit, refrigerant, warranty and the paperwork an installer owes you."
canonical_url: "https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county"
last_updated: "2026-10-14"
language: "en"
---

# How to Read an AC Replacement Quote in Palm Beach County, Line by Line

Two quotes for the same house can look like they describe two different jobs. One lists a brand and a price. Another runs a full page. The useful question is not which number is lower. It is whether both quotes describe the same equipment and the same work.

The efficiency floor is set by federal law. The U.S. Department of Energy puts Florida in its hot-humid Southeast region, where a split-system air conditioner installed since January 1, 2023 must reach at least 14.3 SEER2 below 45,000 Btu per hour of capacity, and 13.8 SEER2 at or above it \[[1](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-1)\]. The same guide is blunt about who carries that rule: "It is illegal for your air conditioner contractor to install a product that does not meet the regional standards in the Southeast and Southwest." \[[1](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-1)\]

Installation matters as much as the box. ENERGY STAR says "improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent" \[[2](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-2)\]. That is why the scope lines on a quote deserve as much attention as the brand.

This guide reflects the rules and programs as read on the publish date. Check back if an agency page changes.

**Key takeaways**

- Line up every quote on the same six lines before you compare totals.
- Model numbers for the outdoor unit and the indoor coil belong on the quote, not just a brand name.
- In Florida, the contractor's license number has to appear on the proposal \[[3](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-3)\].
- The permit line is real work, and who issues it depends on your address, not your mailing city.
- Want a second set of eyes on a quote? Call or text Direct Cooling at (561) 210-7605.

## The Six Lines Every Replacement Quote Should Carry

A complete AC replacement quote names six things: the equipment by model number and size, its efficiency rating, the refrigerant it uses, the scope of work around it, the permit, and the warranty. The Federal Trade Commission's own checklist for any home improvement estimate is shorter, and every item on it is on this list too.

The FTC's advice is: "A written estimate should include a description of the work to be done, materials, completion date, and the price." \[[4](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-4)\] For an air conditioner, the materials are the specific outdoor unit, indoor coil or air handler, and thermostat, and the description of the work is the scope lines below.

| Quote line | What it should say | What it means if it is missing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Equipment | Tonnage, plus model numbers for the outdoor unit and the indoor coil or air handler | You cannot check the efficiency, the match or the size |
| Efficiency | The SEER2 rating of the matched system | You cannot confirm it meets the 14.3 or 13.8 SEER2 floor \[[1](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-1)\] |
| Refrigerant | The refrigerant the new system uses | You cannot tell new-standard equipment from older inventory |
| Scope | What is replaced, reused or added around the units | Two totals may cover very different jobs |
| Permit | Who pulls it and which office issues it | The job may not be inspected |
| Warranty and license | Parts and labor terms, plus the contractor's license number | You cannot verify the contractor or the coverage |

The table is ours: it combines the FTC checklist with the Florida and federal documents cited in each section below. No single agency publishes it as one list.

When a total looks far out of line, the FTC's next sentence applies: "Don't automatically choose the lowest bidder. And ask for an explanation if there's a big difference among the estimates." \[[4](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-4)\]

**Want a second set of eyes on a quote? Call or text Direct Cooling at (561) 210-7605, or see how we approach [AC replacement in Boca Raton](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/ac-replacement).**

Interactive

Check your quote's six lines

Checked 0 of 6.

## Equipment and Efficiency: Tonnage, Model Numbers and SEER2

Tonnage is the system's cooling capacity. SEER2 is the federal efficiency rating used since January 1, 2023. A quote should name both, along with the model number of each half of a split system, because efficiency is rated for the outdoor unit and indoor coil as a matched pair, not for either one alone.

![A technician in a navy polo crouches beside an outdoor air conditioner and points at the unit while a smiling homeowner takes notes on a clipboard.](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/img/hvac-technician-explaining-outdoor-unit-model-number-homeowner-1600.webp)

Ask for the model number of each half of the system, so the efficiency rating can be checked. AI-generated illustration.

The size should come from a calculation, not the old unit's label. ENERGY STAR's guidance is that your contractor should verify the proper size for your home with a load calculation called Manual J \[[5](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-5)\]. If one quote matches the old tonnage and another changes it, ask each contractor how they sized it.

The model numbers matter because of how efficiency is certified. AHRI, the industry body that certifies equipment ratings, describes its reference number as "a unique number identifying a condenser and evaporator combination that has been certified by AHRI as properly matched system" \[[6](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-6)\]. AHRI adds that "The best person to obtain a Certified Reference Number for you is your installing contractor." \[[6](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-6)\] A quote that names an outdoor unit but not the indoor coil cannot be checked against that directory.

The efficiency floor for Florida is set by the DOE Southeast standard \[[1](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-1)\]:

| Equipment installed in Florida | Minimum rating |
| --- | --- |
| Split-system air conditioner, below 45,000 Btu per hour | 14.3 SEER2 |
| Split-system air conditioner, 45,000 Btu per hour and above | 13.8 SEER2 |
| Split-system heat pump | 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2 |

The DOE draws its line at 45,000 Btu per hour of cooling capacity, so ask which side of it the new system falls on. A higher SEER2 than the floor is a choice you are paying for, so it belongs on the quote as a number, not as a phrase like high efficiency.

## The Refrigerant Line in 2026

New central air conditioners are moving from R-410A to lower-impact refrigerants such as R-454B and R-32. In May 2026 the EPA changed its rule so that residential equipment made or imported before January 1, 2025 can still be installed until that inventory runs out. A quote should name the refrigerant, so you know which kind of system you are buying.

The EPA's summary of the May 21, 2026 rule says it "Allows pre-2025 inventory of air conditioning systems to be installed until supply runs out" \[[7](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-7)\]. Equipment built for the newer refrigerants is the other path. EPA's approved-substitutes list for home air conditioning includes R-454B and HFC-32 (R-32), both with the safety class A2L and both "Acceptable with Use Conditions" \[[8](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-8)\].

For an existing system, the EPA's homeowner answer has not changed: "Homeowners can maintain and repair their systems throughout the useful life of the equipment." \[[9](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-9)\] The same page defines when a job counts as a new system: one "would also be installed if both the condensing unit and indoor coil are replaced together." \[[9](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-9)\]

So the refrigerant line tells you two things. If it says R-410A on a full replacement, the equipment should be pre-2025 inventory, and it is fair to ask the contractor to confirm that. If it names R-454B or R-32, you are buying the newer generation. Either can be a reasonable choice. What matters is that two quotes you are comparing name the same one, or explain why they differ. For more background, see our page on the [R-410A phase-out explained](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/refrigerant-changes).

## The Permit Line and What the County Inspector Checks

Replacing a central air conditioner in Palm Beach County needs a permit, and the office that issues it depends on where the home sits, not its mailing address. The inspector checks the new equipment against a county form that lists its efficiency, model numbers and electrical details. A quote should say who pulls the permit and that the price includes it.

Palm Beach County's Florida HVAC Efficiency Card says the information on it "is required for replacement of mechanical equipment and must be available for the inspector at time of inspections." \[[10](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-10)\] The card asks for the efficiency rating, the manufacturer and model numbers of the new system, and electrical details such as the breaker and wire size. That is one more reason the equipment line needs real model numbers.

The county is not the only permit office. Our pages on local permit paths show how it splits:

- **Unincorporated West Boca.** The county Building Division issues the permit through its ePZB portal, and for a replacement of $15,000 or more it requires a recorded Notice of Commencement before the first inspection. See [AC repair in West Boca Raton](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/ac-repair-west-boca-raton-fl). Two of our county change-outs are in one community, covered on our page for [AC repair in Mission Bay](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/ac-repair-mission-bay-boca-raton-fl).
- **Boynton Beach.** Inside city limits, an exact like-for-like change-out on a one- or two-family home gets an instant city permit, and a larger system goes through a regular permit. See [AC repair in Boynton Beach](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/ac-repair-boynton-beach-fl).
- **Delray Beach.** The city permits work inside its limits and the county permits it outside them. See [AC repair in Delray Beach](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/ac-repair-delray-beach-fl).

The $15,000 figure comes from state law. Florida's Notice of Commencement section "does not apply to a direct contract to repair or replace an existing heating or air-conditioning system in an amount less than $15,000." \[[11](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-11)\]

A quote that leaves the permit to you is a warning sign. The FTC lists it among scam tactics: "Scammers ask you to get any required building permits." \[[4](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-4)\]

## Scope Lines That Explain a Big Gap Between Quotes

When two quotes for the same tonnage and efficiency are far apart, the gap is usually in the scope: what gets replaced around the two units, what gets reused, and what is left out. Each scope item below is a cost driver. A quote should say which ones are included, so the totals describe the same job.

![A smiling woman with glasses compares two printed quotes side by side at a desk in a bright room full of plants.](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/img/homeowner-comparing-two-ac-replacement-quotes-1600.webp)

When two totals are far apart, the difference is usually in the scope lines. AI-generated illustration.

The scope items to look for, line by line:

1. **Indoor coil or air handler.** Is the indoor half replaced, or only the outdoor unit? The EPA treats replacing both halves together as a new system \[[9](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-9)\].
2. **Refrigerant line set.** Reused, flushed or replaced.
3. **Electrical.** A new disconnect, breaker or wire where the old ones do not fit the new unit. Our Boynton Beach page notes that the city form requires a separate electrical sub-permit for a new disconnect.
4. **Pad, stand or roof curb.** Reused or replaced, and anchored for wind.
5. **Drain line, pan and float switch.** Replaced or reused.
6. **Ductwork.** Inspected, sealed, modified or left alone.
7. **Thermostat.** Included or not.
8. **Access.** A crane for a roof unit, or condo building rules that limit work hours.
9. **Removal.** Who hauls away the old equipment.

Every one of these can change the price without changing the equipment line. A low quote that reuses the line set, the pad and the old disconnect can be the right call for a house where those parts are sound. It can also be the reason the job fails inspection or the system underperforms. ENERGY STAR's warning about installation quality applies here: poor installation can cost up to 30 percent of a system's efficiency \[[2](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-2)\]. Ask each contractor which of the nine items they priced, and get the answers in writing. Our page on [AC installation](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/ac-installation) explains what a full installation covers.

## Warranty and License Lines Under Florida Law

Two Florida statutes shape the last lines on a quote. The contractor's license number must appear on every bid and proposal. And a manufacturer's warranty on a system installed by a licensed contractor starts on the installation date, cannot be conditioned on product registration, and transfers automatically when the home is sold.

Florida Statutes section 489.119 says the license number "shall appear in each offer of services, business proposal, bid, contract, or advertisement" \[[3](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-3)\]. Section 489.113 adds that "A person must be certified or registered in order to engage in the business of contracting in this state." \[[12](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-12)\] A quote without a license number fails the first rule before you read anything else. Direct Cooling's license, CAC1819111, is a Florida Certified Air Conditioning Contractor license.

The warranty rules are newer. Under section 559.957, the full warranty "is effective in this state on the date of installation if installed by a contractor licensed under part I of chapter 489", and it "may not be in any way conditioned upon the product registration." \[[13](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-13)\] Under section 559.956, if a home with the system is sold on or after July 1, 2024, the manufacturer's warranty "Is automatically transferred to the new owner" \[[14](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/how-to-read-ac-replacement-quote-palm-beach-county#ref-14)\].

That leaves two warranty questions for the quote: how long the parts warranty is, and what labor warranty the contractor itself offers. The statutes cover the manufacturer's warranty, not the installer's labor. This guide summarizes the 2026 statutes as read; it is not legal advice, and your contract controls.

Ask Direct Cooling

## Questions About AC Quotes

**Direct Cooling** FL Certified AC Contractor CAC1819111 Dispatch 24/7

Hi, this is Direct Cooling. Tap a question below for a straight answer.

Tap a question to ask

Not on the list? [Browse every answered question](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/faq), or [Text us](sms:+15612107605) [(561) 210-7605](tel:+15612107605)

**Is a permit required to replace an air conditioner in Florida?**

Yes. Replacing the equipment needs a permit, and in Palm Beach County the city or the county issues it depending on where the home sits. The county inspector checks the new equipment against its HVAC efficiency card. A routine repair that does not change the system is a different case and often needs no permit.

**How long will R-410A be available?**

For repairs, the EPA says homeowners can keep maintaining and repairing existing systems for the life of the equipment. For replacements, the May 2026 rule lets residential equipment made or imported before January 1, 2025 be installed until that inventory runs out. No one can promise how long that supply will last.

**What is the newest AC refrigerant called?**

The two most common in new home systems are R-454B and R-32. Both are on the EPA's approved list for home air conditioning with the safety class A2L. Your quote should name which one the new system uses.

## Before You Sign

Put every quote side by side on the six lines: equipment, efficiency, refrigerant, scope, permit, and warranty and license. Where a line is blank, ask. Where two quotes differ, ask why. A good contractor can answer each question in a sentence.

Direct Cooling is a Florida Certified Air Conditioning Contractor, license CAC1819111, based in Boca Raton. We size a replacement with a load calculation and pull the permit in our own name, with our license number on the estimate.

Call or text (561) 210-7605 if you would like us to look over a quote or give you one to compare.

## References

1. U.S. Department of Energy. *2023 Central Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Standards FAQ*. October 5, 2022. [www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance\_standards/pdfs/2023\_CAC\_Stand...](https://www1.eere.energy.gov/buildings/appliance_standards/pdfs/2023_CAC_Standards_FAQ_10-5-2022_Final.pdf)
2. ENERGY STAR. *Heating and Cooling*. No date shown. [energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling](https://www.energystar.gov/saveathome/heating-cooling)
3. Florida Legislature. *Florida Statutes section 489.119*. 2026 Florida Statutes. [leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App\_mode=Display\_Statute&URL=04...](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.119.html)
4. Federal Trade Commission. *How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam*. July 2022. [consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-home-improvement-scam](https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/how-avoid-home-improvement-scam)
5. ENERGY STAR. *Air Source Heat Pumps*. No date shown. [energystar.gov/products/air\_source\_heat\_pumps](https://www.energystar.gov/products/air_source_heat_pumps)
6. AHRI. *How to Use the Directory*. No date shown. [ahrinet.org/certification/cee-directory/how-use-directory](https://www.ahrinet.org/certification/cee-directory/how-use-directory)
7. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. *Fact Sheet: Final Rule Revising the 2023 Technology Transitions Rule*. May 2026. [epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-05/fact-sheet-san-12166-technology...](https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2026-05/fact-sheet-san-12166-technology-transitions-frm.pdf)
8. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. *SNAP Substitutes in Residential and Light Commercial Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps*. Updated March 19, 2026. [epa.gov/snap/substitutes-residential-and-light-commercial-air-conditio...](https://www.epa.gov/snap/substitutes-residential-and-light-commercial-air-conditioning-and-heat-pumps)
9. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. *Frequent Questions on the Phasedown of Hydrofluorocarbons*. Updated September 14, 2026. [epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction/frequent-questions-phasedown-hydrofluor...](https://www.epa.gov/climate-hfcs-reduction/frequent-questions-phasedown-hydrofluorocarbons)
10. Palm Beach County Building Division. *Florida HVAC Efficiency Card Form, PB-O-021*. Rev. September 30, 2020. [discover.pbc.gov/pzb/building/Forms/AC%20Change%20Out%20Form.pdf](https://discover.pbc.gov/pzb/building/Forms/AC%20Change%20Out%20Form.pdf)
11. Florida Legislature. *Florida Statutes section 713.135*. 2026 Florida Statutes. [leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App\_mode=Display\_Statute&URL=07...](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0700-0799/0713/Sections/0713.135.html)
12. Florida Legislature. *Florida Statutes section 489.113*. 2026 Florida Statutes. [leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App\_mode=Display\_Statute&URL=04...](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0400-0499/0489/Sections/0489.113.html)
13. Florida Legislature. *Florida Statutes section 559.957*. 2026 Florida Statutes. [leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App\_mode=Display\_Statute&URL=05...](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599/0559/Sections/0559.957.html)
14. Florida Legislature. *Florida Statutes section 559.956*. 2026 Florida Statutes. [leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App\_mode=Display\_Statute&URL=05...](http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=0500-0599/0559/Sections/0559.956.html)

Written by

[Direct Cooling](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/authors/direct-cooling)

The Direct Cooling team in Boca Raton, Florida certified air conditioning contractor license CAC1819111, writing from what our technicians see on South Florida service calls.

[Credentials and every guide](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/authors/direct-cooling)

## Keep Reading

[Blog · Storms and outages **After a Hurricane: When It Is Safe to Turn the AC Back On in Palm Beach County**](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/turn-ac-back-on-after-hurricane-palm-beach-county)[Blog · Seasonal homes **Reopening a Boca Raton Home After a Summer Away: An AC Start-Up Checklist**](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/ac-start-up-checklist-boca-raton-seasonal-home)[Blog · Troubleshooting **Why Is My AC Running but Not Cooling? A Boca Raton Guide**](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/ac-running-but-not-cooling)[Blog · Indoor air **How HVAC Humidity Control Creates a Healthier Home**](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog/hvac-humidity-control-healthier-home) [Guide · AC Replacement **AC Replacement in Boca Raton, Decided by the Numbers**](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/ac-replacement)[Guide · AC Installation **AC Installation in Boca Raton: Sized, Permitted and Started Up Right**](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/ac-installation)

[Browse every Direct Cooling guide](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog)

Dispatch 24/7

[(561) 210-7605](tel:+15612107605)

Call or text. A real person answers and gets a technician moving.

[Call](tel:+15612107605) [Text](sms:+15612107605)

[Book online](https://book.housecallpro.com/book/Direct-Cooling/96b950a03c9d4d6db24741db866e2a4a?v2=true&lead_source=website)

Related services

- [AC Replacement](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/ac-replacement)
- [AC Installation](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/ac-installation)
- [Refrigerant Changes](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/refrigerant-changes)
- [All posts and guides](https://www.directcoolingfl.com/blog)

## Get an Honest Answer About Your AC Today

Emergency repair, a new installation or just a second opinion: Frank and the Direct Cooling team are a call or text away.

[(561) 210-7605](tel:+15612107605) [Book Online](https://book.housecallpro.com/book/Direct-Cooling/96b950a03c9d4d6db24741db866e2a4a?v2=true&lead_source=website)