Frequently Asked Questions

Twice a year. Florida heat and humidity keep cooling systems working hard for much of the year, and the system is removing moisture every time it runs. We check it going into cooling season and again later in the year. Twice is what we recommend here. Our VIP Maintenance Program covers both visits.

A clogged condensate drain line. Your system pulls moisture out of the air and drains it away; over time that line fills with algae and sludge, backs up, and either trips the safety switch and shuts your system off or overflows into the ceiling. It's the most common preventable summer problem we see, and clearing and treating the drain line is part of every maintenance visit we do.

There isn't one lifespan that applies to every system. Installation quality, how hard it runs, maintenance, drainage, electrical conditions, and salt-air exposure all matter. Age is useful context, but it is not a reason by itself to replace a system that is working.

It depends on what actually failed. A capacitor or contactor is a different conversation from a compressor or coil on an older unit, especially when repairs are recurring. We will explain what we found, the repair option, and what replacement would involve so you can decide what makes sense for your system.

If replacement is the call, we publish what our own replacements have actually cost.

We install traditional tank, tankless, and heat-pump water heaters, in both gas and electric. The right fit depends on how much hot water your household uses, the space available, the fuel or electrical service already in place, and what the installation requires in your home. Tankless can be a good fit, but it is not automatically the right choice for every home. We will look at the site and walk you through the tradeoffs before recommending equipment.

Shut the water off first. Most fixtures have their own supply valve — under the sink or behind the toilet — and closing that one can stop the leak without shutting down the rest of the house. If that valve will not close, or you cannot tell where the water is coming from, shut off the main valve for the house. It is worth finding that valve now, while nothing is wrong, so you are not looking for it with water running. Then call us and describe what you found.

Maybe, and the age of your house isn't what decides it. A panel gets upgraded when the equipment is damaged or obsolete, when it can't support what you're adding, or when it's part of a larger project — a generator tie-in, a heat pump, or an EV charger. We'd want to look at the panel itself and at what you're planning before saying yes or no.

It sits at your panel and limits certain voltage surges before they reach equipment throughout the house, including AC controls and appliances. It is one layer of protection, not a guarantee against every electrical event or a direct lightning strike. Whether it makes sense, and which device, depends on your electrical system, grounding, and the protection already in place.

We install Kohler — we're a Kohler Titanium Dealer, and our technicians are Titan Certified. But we service all makes, so if you already own something else, we can maintain and repair it. You don't need to have bought it from us.

It starts with what you want to keep running when the power is out. For some households that is the AC, refrigerator, and a few lights. For others it is a well pump, medical equipment, or a home office. We then look at your panel, fuel supply, and possible equipment location before recommending a size. Square footage alone is not enough to answer that well over the phone.

Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, you'll reach our office. Nights and weekends, calls go through our automated on-call system and our own on-call technicians respond. The same process applies to air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and generator emergencies.

It depends on the job. Some predictable repairs are flat-rate. Other work depends on what the diagnosis finds and is billed for the time and parts used. Before work begins, we explain the price and scope. If the technician finds something different, they stop and explain what changed before continuing. When you call, describe what is happening and we will tell you what we can before anyone comes out.

We cover all of Manatee County, plus Longboat Key, Bird Key, St. Armands Circle, University Park, and North Sarasota. That includes all of Lakewood Ranch, including the parts in Sarasota County. If you are not sure whether your home is in our service area, call and ask.

A family-owned company. Founded on Anna Maria Island in 1983, Air & Energy served the island and Bradenton from the beginning and is now based in downtown Bradenton. We handle air conditioning, plumbing, electrical, and generators, with the required licenses held in house.