Florida AC rules in 2026: what actually changed

The short version

• Efficiency: since January 1, 2023, a new split AC installed in the Southeast must meet at least 14.3 SEER2 if it is under 45,000 Btu per hour, or 13.8 SEER2 if it is 45,000 or larger.
• Refrigerant: since January 1, 2025, new residential AC and heat pump systems must use a refrigerant with a global warming potential of 700 or less. That rules out R-410A in new systems.
• Repairs: existing R-410A systems can still be serviced and repaired.
• Locally: Florida Building Code requires a permit to replace a mechanical system, and in Crestview and unincorporated Okaloosa County it is a quick one.

Most of the "new AC law" stories are about the two federal changes. Neither one forces you to replace a working system.

DOE efficiency minimums (SEER2)

The Department of Energy sets regional minimums, and all of Florida, the Panhandle included, is in the Southeast region. For split air conditioners installed on or after January 1, 2023, the minimum is 14.3 SEER2 under 45,000 Btu per hour and 13.8 SEER2 at 45,000 and up. A ton of cooling is 12,000 Btu per hour, so most homes fall in the smaller category. Heat pumps have a national minimum of 14.3 SEER2 and 7.5 HSPF2. The heating number matters more here than in South Florida, since this metro averages about 1,586 heating degree days a year.

DOE says it is illegal for a contractor to install a split AC below the regional standard in the Southeast. That helps when comparing quotes. If one bid is far cheaper, check the SEER2 rating on it. And if your utility is FPL Northwest FL, its $200 instant rebate needs a complete new system rated 15.2 SEER2 or higher, which is above the federal floor. Check your bill to see which utility serves you; our FPL and CHELCO guide has the details.

EPA refrigerant transition

Under EPA's technology transitions rule, new residential AC and heat pump systems are limited to refrigerants with a GWP of 700 or less. The compliance date for manufacture and installation was January 1, 2025. Systems whose components were all made before 2025 have no installation deadline, which is why some contractors still had R-410A equipment to install.

What this does not mean: it does not ban R-410A refrigerant, and it does not make your current system illegal to fix. Existing R-410A systems can still be serviced and repaired. If someone tells you your R-410A system "can't be repaired anymore," ask for the specific failed part, the repair price and a photo, and get a second opinion. The repair might be uneconomical for other reasons, such as age or a failed compressor, but the refrigerant rule alone is not one of them. I have not seen an EPA deadline in 2026 that changes this, and I'd be skeptical of anyone claiming one.

Fixr lists R-410A refrigerant at $12 to $25 a pound. The much older R-22 runs $50 to $80 a pound, which is where real repair-or-replace decisions tend to come up. Our repair or replace guide goes through it.

Permits in Crestview and Okaloosa County

The City of Crestview's permit FAQ says Florida Building Code requires a permit to replace a mechanical system. A few points from the city and the county:

• Crestview says a simple A/C change-out permit is typically issued within a day or two.
• Crestview also says that if a contractor asks you to pull the permit, it is a warning sign, and the contractor may not be licensed.
• Okaloosa County processes all trade permits in its Fast Lane and issues them next day. Applications go in online through the county's CSS portal.
• The county also posts a Hurricane Recovery Permit Guide for storm repairs.
• Fort Walton Beach, Destin, Niceville and Walton County each run their own building departments. Confirm with the one for your address.

Ask whether the permit is included in a replacement quote. If a company suggests skipping it, find another company. An unpermitted change-out can cause trouble when you sell or file an insurance claim, and with permits this quick there is no time saved by skipping one.

Florida's owner-builder exemption, s. 489.103(7), lets an owner act as their own contractor on their own home that is not offered for sale or lease. It exists for owners doing their own work. It is not a way around a contractor's licensing.

Licensing

Florida licenses AC contractors at the state level. The prefixes you will see are CAC (Certified Air Conditioning Contractor), CMC (Certified Mechanical Contractor), RA (Registered Air Conditioning Contractor) and RM (Registered Mechanical Contractor). Under section 489.105, Class A has no size limit and Class B is limited to 25 tons of cooling and 500,000 Btu of heating in any one system, which covers any house. Look up a license on MyFloridaLicense.com. Our license guide walks through it.

Two more rules worth knowing before you sign a big contract: a direct residential contract over $2,500 must include Florida's construction lien notice, and a sale signed at your door or in your home can generally be canceled until midnight of the third business day.

Rentals and base housing

Florida's landlord statute, section 83.51, does not list air conditioning among the landlord's duties, though a lease or local code may still cover it. Off-base renters near Eglin and Hurlburt Field should read our guide to a broken AC in a Florida rental. On-base housing is different: AC problems there go through the base housing office or its privatized housing partner.