RV AC Unit Replacement - Fort Lauderdale FL

When the repair cost exceeds 50% of the replacement cost, or when the unit is older than 10 to 12 years and requires a major repair, replacement is usually the better economic decision. Additional indicators: the refrigerant type is R-22 (now discontinued and very expensive), the unit has had multiple repairs in the past few seasons, or the cooling capacity is insufficient for your needs in Broward County's heat.

Full rooftop unit replacement typically takes 3 to 4 hours for a standard 15,000 BTU unit. Larger units or those with non-standard mounting configurations may take longer. We recommend planning for a half-day appointment for unit replacement. The RV will be without AC for the duration of the replacement - in South Florida's summer heat, this should be done in the morning when temperatures are cooler.

For most RVs in Broward County, the Dometic Brisk Air II 15,000 BTU unit is the most commonly requested replacement. It is available in high-efficiency variants with a higher SEER rating than the standard unit. For smaller Class B and Class C motorhomes, the 13,500 BTU Brisk Air is sufficient. Full-time liveaboards in the Fort Lauderdale summer often benefit from upgrading to a 15,000 BTU unit if they currently have a 13,500 BTU unit.

The ceiling assembly (the interior portion of the AC unit that distributes air inside the coach) is typically separate from the rooftop unit. In many cases, the existing ceiling assembly can be reused with a new rooftop unit of the same product family. If the ceiling assembly is damaged, has mold issues, or is an incompatible type, we will include a ceiling assembly replacement in the estimate.

Yes. New Dometic and Coleman-Mach units come with a manufacturer warranty - typically 2 years for parts and 1 year for labor from the manufacturer. Additionally, our installation work is covered by our 90-day labor warranty. We register the new unit with the manufacturer on your behalf after installation so you have full warranty coverage.

Yes - always. The roof gasket creates the watertight seal between the rooftop AC unit and the RV roof membrane. When we install a new unit, we always install a new gasket regardless of the existing gasket's apparent condition. Reusing an old gasket is a false economy that frequently results in a roof leak around the AC unit within the first year.

Yes. We perform AC unit replacements at storage facilities throughout Broward County, at residential driveways, and at campgrounds. The only requirements are that the RV is accessible, there is adequate vertical clearance above the RV for our technician to work on the roof safely, and there is shore power available to test the new unit after installation.

For a travel trailer or Class C motorhome 25 to 35 feet in length, a single 15,000 BTU unit is typically adequate for Fort Lauderdale's climate. Larger Class A motorhomes (35 to 45 feet) generally need two units - typically 15,000 BTU front and rear. Older RVs with poor insulation, large windows, or slide-out rooms will have higher heat loads and may need larger or additional AC capacity.

Clear access to the roof area around the AC unit and make sure there is adequate space for our technician to work safely. Have shore power available at the site. Ensure you know the AC unit model number and whether you have a standard 30-amp or 50-amp electrical system - this affects which replacement unit is appropriate. Disconnect power to the AC circuit before our technician arrives.

Yes. We will remove and dispose of the old rooftop AC unit as part of the replacement service. Old units contain refrigerant that must be properly recovered before disposal per EPA regulations. Our technicians are EPA 608 certified for refrigerant recovery and handle this process correctly.