Cooling Direct

AC Tonnage Chart: What Size AC by Square Footage
AC Tonnage Chart: What Size AC by Square Footage Here's the chart everyone searches for, followed by the adjustments that keep it from steering you wrong. Tonnage measures cooling capacity — 12,000 BTU per hour per ton — and matching it to your home is the single highest-stakes decision in the entire AC purchase. More expensive to get wrong than any brand or efficiency choice. The Chart Square footage Hot/humid climate Moderate climate 600–1,000 1.5–2 ton 1.5 ton 1,000–1,300 2–2.5 ton 2 ton 1,300–1,600 2.5–3 ton 2–2.5 ton 1,600–1,900 3–3.5... Read more...
Evaporator Coil Replacement Cost in 2026: Repair Math That's Changed
Evaporator Coil Replacement Cost in 2026: Repair Math That's Changed The evaporator coil — the indoor coil that actually absorbs heat from your air — is the most common major failure on systems in their middle years. It's also the repair whose math changed most when the industry left R-410A behind. Here's what a coil costs in 2026 and when replacing just the coil is the wrong move. The Cost Breakdown Scenario Typical cost Coil part, in warranty (registered) $0 part + $900–$1,800 labor/refrigerant Coil part, out of warranty $700–$1,400... Read more...
Buying an AC Unit Online: The Wholesale Buyer's Guide
Buying an AC Unit Online: The Wholesale Buyer's Guide Ten years ago, buying a central AC online sounded like buying a kidney online. Today it's how a growing share of homeowners skip $2,000–$5,000 of dealer markup. This is the honest guide to doing it right — including the parts that still require care. What You're Actually Buying A complete cooling system is a matched pair: outdoor condenser plus indoor coil or air handler, selected to work together at a rated efficiency. Reputable online wholesale pricing for current-generation matched systems (R-32... Read more...
AC Replacement Cost in Naples, FL: 2026 Guide
AC Replacement Cost in Naples, FL: 2026 Guide Naples has some of the highest AC replacement quotes in Florida — $7,000–$13,000 for jobs that run $6,000–$10,000 one county north. Same equipment, same labor hours, pricier zip code. Here's what the project actually costs in 2026 and how to keep the Naples premium out of your invoice. The Naples Numbers System Typical Naples home Wholesale equipment Common installed quote 2–2.5 ton Condo or villa $2,500–$3,300 $7,000–$9,500 3–3.5 ton 1,500–2,200 sq ft single family $2,900–$4,100 $7,500–$11,000 4–5 ton Larger single family, two-story... Read more...
AC Unit Prices by Ton in 2026: 1.5 to 5 Ton, Real Numbers
AC Unit Prices by Ton in 2026: 1.5 to 5 Ton, Real Numbers AC pricing splits into two numbers nobody shows you side by side: what the equipment costs, and what the installed quote says. Here's both, by tonnage, for 2026 — so you know what you're actually paying for before anyone's in your driveway. The Price Table Size Covers (approx.) Wholesale equipment* Typical installed quote 1.5 ton 600–1,000 sq ft $2,400–$2,800 $5,500–$8,000 2 ton 900–1,300 sq ft $2,500–$3,000 $5,800–$8,500 2.5 ton 1,200–1,600 sq ft $2,700–$3,300 $6,000–$9,000 3 ton 1,500–1,900... Read more...
AC Running But Not Cooling? Work Through This Before You Call
AC Running But Not Cooling? Work Through This Before You Call Half of “my AC died” service calls end with a tech changing a filter or flipping a breaker — at service-call prices. Run this list first. It takes fifteen minutes, costs nothing, and tells you whether you're facing a free fix, a real repair, or a replacement conversation. The Free Fixes (Check These First) 1. Thermostat settings Cool mode, not fan-only. Setpoint below room temperature. Fresh batteries if the display is dim or blank — a dying thermostat battery... Read more...
Mini-Split vs. Central AC: The 2026 Cost Comparison
Mini-Split vs. Central AC: The 2026 Cost Comparison Mini-splits have the buzz; central AC has the installed base. Both cool well. The internet will tell you mini-splits are always cheaper to run and central is always cheaper to buy — and both claims fall apart depending on your house. Here's the cost comparison that actually holds up. Equipment and Installation Costs Scenario Mini-split Central AC Single room/zone $1,200–$2,500 equipment, $2,500–$4,500 installed N/A — overkill Whole home, ducts already exist $6,000–$14,000 multi-zone installed $2,400–$5,000 equipment; $6,000–$11,000 installed Whole home, no ductwork... Read more...
Packaged AC Unit vs. Split System: Which Does Your Home Need?
Packaged AC Unit vs. Split System: Which Does Your Home Need? Every ducted home cools one of two ways: a split system (outdoor condenser + indoor air handler or coil) or a packaged unit (everything in one outdoor cabinet). Most of the time your house has already made this decision for you — but if you're at a genuine fork, the trade-offs are real. Here's the full comparison. How Each Works Split system: the condenser sits outside; the evaporator coil and blower live inside (closet, garage, attic). Refrigerant lines connect... Read more...
SEER2 Ratings Explained: What You Actually Need
SEER2 Ratings Explained: What You Actually Need Every AC sold today carries a SEER2 rating, every salesperson leans on it, and almost nobody explains what the number is worth in dollars. Here's SEER2 in plain English, including the part the pitch leaves out: when a higher rating stops paying for itself. What SEER2 Measures SEER2 is seasonal cooling output divided by electricity consumed, tested under conditions that simulate real ductwork static pressure (the “2” marks the tougher 2023 test). Higher number, less electricity for the same cooling. A 16 SEER2... Read more...
How Long Do AC Units Last? Lifespan and When to Replace
How Long Do AC Units Last? Lifespan and When to Replace The honest national answer is 12–17 years. The honest hot-climate answer is shorter: a system that runs eight months a year in salt air and 95-degree heat lives 10–14. Here's what actually determines where your unit lands in that range, and the signals that say replace before the dead-of-summer failure makes the decision for you. Lifespan by the Numbers Factor Effect on lifespan Mild climate, seasonal use 15–20 years achievable Hot/humid climate, long season 10–14 years typical Coastal salt... Read more...
The Best AC Brands of 2026: An Honest Ranking
The Best AC Brands of 2026: An Honest Ranking Most “best AC brands” lists are affiliate bait that rank whoever pays. Here's a different approach: rank the brands by what you get per dollar, tell you who actually builds what, and admit our bias up front — we sell value-tier equipment at wholesale pricing because that's where the math favors most homeowners. First, Understand Who Builds What Residential AC is far more consolidated than the badge count suggests: Daikin builds Daikin, Goodman, and Amana Carrier builds Carrier, Bryant, Payne, and... Read more...
AC Compressor Failed? The Repair-or-Replace Math for 2026
AC Compressor Failed? The Repair-or-Replace Math for 2026 The compressor is the heart of your AC and the most expensive single part in the system. When it dies, you're facing the biggest repair-or-replace decision in residential HVAC — and in 2026 the math has shifted hard toward one answer for most homes. Here's how to run it. First: Make Sure It's Actually the Compressor Plenty of “dead compressors” are $20 capacitors. A compressor that hums but won't start, trips the breaker instantly, or runs without moving refrigerant needs a proper... Read more...