Across Florida · Vetted local pros
Find the right AC & heating pro in Hollywood, FL
AC & Heating (HVAC) for homes in Hollywood and the surrounding area, by a vetted MB pro near you. Free estimate.
What to check first
What you might be seeing
- The AC runs all day but the house stays warm and sticky
- Water stains, drips or a damp smell near the air handler, a closet or a ceiling
- Weak airflow from the vents, or some rooms much hotter than others
- The system stopped after a storm, outage or power flicker
- Ice or frost on the indoor unit or the thick refrigerant line
Safe to check yourself
- Check that the thermostat is set to cool, set a few degrees below room temperature, and has working batteries if it uses them.
- Look at the air filter. If it is gray and clogged with dust, a dirty filter can choke airflow and may be part of the problem.
- From a distance, look at the outdoor unit. Is the fan spinning? Are leaves, debris or overgrown plants blocking it? Don't touch the unit or reach inside.
- With a flashlight, look for water around the indoor unit or in the drain pan area, and listen for hissing, buzzing or clicking.
Stop and get a pro if…
- Water dripping through a ceiling, especially near light fixtures or outlets. Turn off the system at the thermostat and call a pro.
- A burning smell, sparks, a breaker that keeps tripping, or a unit that hums but won't start
- Ice on the refrigerant line or an oily residue and hissing near the coil, which can point to a refrigerant leak
- Any gas smell. Leave the home, then call the gas utility or emergency services.
What to ask the pro
- What is your Florida air-conditioning contractor license number? (Verify it on the Florida DBPR website.)
- If this is a change-out, will you pull the mechanical permit with the city or county?
- Is the written free estimate itemized, and does it include the SEER2-rated equipment you are proposing?
- How will the outdoor unit be secured against wind, and what protects the coil from salt air near the coast?
- Can you check the condensate drain and drain line while you are here?
In Hollywood, the AC works hard almost all year. The Census median year built here is 1969, so many one-story block-and-stucco ranches have systems that have been replaced at least once, and Hollywood Beach and the Intracoastal corridor add salt-laden air that attacks outdoor coils. When you choose who works on your AC, look for an independent, local pro who holds the Florida air-conditioning contractor license, pulls the permit for a change-out, and understands coastal corrosion and humidity.
That is who we match you with. Call or send the form, and we pair you with a vetted, independent, locally owned AC & heating pro near you, book the visit and stay your point of contact. Your MB pro gives the free estimate and does the work, from a system that runs but won't cool to a full replacement. Before you call, the checklist below can help you describe the problem and know what to ask.
Homes within a mile or two of the Broadwalk and the Intracoastal take a constant salt-spray beating, and outdoor AC coils, fasteners and disconnect hardware corrode years faster than they would inland. Hollywood is in Broward County, which is part of the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, so how an outdoor unit is anchored matters as much as how well it cools. The hurricane season runs June 1 through November 30, and power surges and outages can damage compressors and control boards. Beachfront condo towers add another layer, since an association may need to approve exterior equipment before work starts.
Problems to watch for in Hollywood
Running but not cooling
Hollywood's humid heat can push an older system past what it can handle. Low refrigerant, a dirty coil or a failing part can leave the air warm and the house sticky.
Clogged condensate drains
High humidity means the AC produces a lot of water, and a clogged drain can overflow into a ceiling or closet. Mold can follow wherever moisture collects.
Salt-air coil corrosion
Near Hollywood Beach and the Intracoastal, salt air eats away at outdoor coils and fittings. Corrosion can lead to refrigerant leaks and early failure.
Storm and surge damage
After a tropical storm, outages and power surges can damage compressors and control boards. A system that won't restart is worth a professional look.
Aging systems in 1950s to 1970s homes
With a Census median year built of 1969, many Hollywood homes have older equipment, ductwork and thermostats that waste energy or no longer keep up.
Ductless and condo setups
Condo owners and converted garages or additions often suit a ductless mini-split. Association rules may affect where the outdoor unit can go.
What your MB pro can help with
- AC repair and diagnosisYour MB pro finds out why the system is not cooling, from refrigerant leaks to failed parts, and explains the options in a free estimate.
- Replacement and new installsWhen repair no longer makes sense, your MB pro quotes a replacement system, including heat pumps, and handles the permit a change-out requires.
- Ductless mini-splitsFor additions, converted garages and some condos, your MB pro can quote a ductless system that doesn't rely on existing ductwork.
- Maintenance and tune-upsRegular service helps keep coils clean and drains clear, which matters in Hollywood's salt air and humidity.
- Condensate drains and thermostatsYour MB pro can clear clogged drains, address AC water leaks and replace or set up a thermostat. Air duct cleaning is a separate MB service.
Permits and codes in Hollywood
Florida requires air-conditioning work, whether installing, replacing or repairing AC and heat-pump systems, to be done by a licensed air-conditioning contractor, or a mechanical contractor whose license covers it, under chapter 489, Florida Statutes. A building or roofing license does not cover AC work. The Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR) and its Construction Industry Licensing Board regulate this, and you can look up a license number on the DBPR website. A change-out of a system, condenser or air handler typically needs a mechanical permit from the city or county building department, pulled by the contractor, while routine maintenance and minor repairs usually do not. The Florida Building Code requires outdoor units to be secured against wind, and since Hollywood is in the High-Velocity Hurricane Zone, confirm current requirements with the building department. Since January 1, 2023, new central air conditioners and heat pumps must meet the U.S. Department of Energy's SEER2 standards, and the Southeast region, which includes Florida, has a higher minimum than northern states. MB Home Improvements offers AC & heating in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties only.
Your MB pro handles the permit when the job needs one. You can look up a contractor's license at Florida DBPR.
When to reach out
Demand rises in late spring and early summer as Hollywood residents prepare for hurricane season, and again from November through April when seasonal owners return and open long-vacant homes and condos. If your AC is struggling, booking before the wet season peaks gives you more choice, and a check after a storm can catch surge damage early. Call (954) 707-6550 or request a free estimate with the form on the page, and we will match you with a vetted pro near you and book the visit.
We match homeowners with pros in Hollywood Beach, Downtown Hollywood, Hollywood Lakes, Hollywood Hills, Emerald Hills, Boulevard Heights, Driftwood, Liberia, Beverly Park, North Beach, Oakwood Hills and Washington Park.
How it works
Step 1
Tell us what you need
Call or send the short form with your city and the job. Estimates are free.
Step 2
We match you with a vetted pro near you
We pick a vetted pro from our network who works in your part of Florida and book the visit.
Step 3
Your pro gives a free estimate and does the work
Your MB pro looks at the job and gives you a free estimate. You decide whether to go ahead — and we stay your point of contact.
AC & Heating in Hollywood: common questions
- Who should I hire for AC work in Hollywood?
- Florida law requires AC work to be done by a licensed air-conditioning contractor, or a mechanical contractor whose license covers it. We match you with a vetted, independent pro near you, and you can verify the license number on the Florida DBPR website.
- Does a new AC in Hollywood need a permit?
- Replacing a system, condenser or air handler typically needs a mechanical permit from the building department, pulled by the AC contractor. Routine maintenance and minor repairs usually do not. Verify with the local building department.
- Does salt air near Hollywood Beach really affect my AC?
- Yes. Salt spray and moisture corrode outdoor coils and hardware much faster near the Broadwalk and the Intracoastal than inland. Ask your pro about coil protection and regular service.
- Why is my AC running but the house is still warm?
- Check that the thermostat is set to cool and that the filter isn't clogged, and look for debris around the outdoor unit. If the problem continues, or you see ice on the line, call a pro, since low refrigerant or a failing part may be the cause.
- Are there special wind rules for outdoor AC units in Hollywood?
- The Florida Building Code requires outdoor units to be secured against wind, and Hollywood is in Broward County's High-Velocity Hurricane Zone. Ask your pro how the unit will be anchored and confirm requirements with the building department.
Request a free ac & heating estimate in Hollywood
Tell us what's going on. We'll match you with a vetted pro near you.
- 1Tell us what you need.
- 2We match you with a vetted pro near you.
- 3Your pro gives a free estimate and does the work.
Prefer to talk?
(954) 707-6550