Best AC Repair Companies in St. Petersburg, FL: How to Choose (2026)

What to check before you hire an AC contractor in St. Petersburg, and how five companies that serve the city compare on facts you can verify yourself.

Facts checked September 23, 2026 · 5 companies compared · Sources: Florida DBPR license records and each company’s own website

Quick Answer

How to choose an AC repair company in St. Petersburg

To choose an AC repair company in St. Petersburg, check five things before you book: an active Florida Certified Air Conditioning (CAC) or Certified Mechanical (CMC) license, which anyone can look up at myfloridalicense.com; current general liability and workers’ compensation insurance; a written estimate you approve before work starts; a building permit pulled by the contractor for any system replacement, as your city or Pinellas County requires; and whether the company offers a maintenance plan for the years after the repair. Most established local companies meet these basics, so the right choice usually comes down to service area, scheduling, and how clearly the company explains the diagnosis.

What to check before you hire

Florida license

Florida requires a Certified Air Conditioning (CAC) or Certified Mechanical (CMC) license. Search the company or license number at myfloridalicense.com and confirm it is current and active.

Insurance

Ask for current certificates of general liability and workers’ compensation insurance before anyone works in your attic or on your roof.

Written estimate first

A contractor should explain the diagnosis and give you a written price to approve before the work starts, not an invoice afterward.

Permits for replacements

A system replacement generally needs a building permit from your city or Pinellas County. The licensed contractor should pull it and schedule the inspection.

Maintenance plan

A maintenance plan keeps the system on a regular inspection schedule after the repair. Ask what each visit includes.

Service area and scheduling

Confirm the company serves your address and ask how after-hours calls are handled before you need one.

St. Petersburg AC companies at a glance

License status comes from the Florida DBPR license search. Founding dates, service areas, after-hours service, maintenance plans, and online booking are as each company states on its own website. All were checked on September 23, 2026; confirm current details with the company before you book.

Disclosure: This page is published by Hales AC, one of the companies listed. Companies appear in no ranked order after Hales AC. We list only facts a reader can check at the linked sources, and we do not publish ratings or review counts for any company.

On a small screen, scroll the comparison to see every column. Company profiles follow below.

Company	In business	Florida license	Service area	Maintenance plan	Online booking
Hales AC This site	Since 1986	CAC1822636 (Certified Air Conditioning Contractor; current, active)	Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando counties	Comfort Club maintenance membership	Yes
Total Air	Since 2003 (company-stated)	CAC1823011 (Certified Air Conditioning Contractor; current, active; licensee Total Air LLC)	St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Gulfport, Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island	Total Air Care Club	Yes
Forest Air Conditioning & Heating	Since 1994 (company-stated)	CAC1813476 (Certified Air Conditioning Contractor; current, active)	Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Sarasota counties	Cool Club membership	Yes
Cool Today	Since 1963 (company-stated)	CAC055539 (Certified Air Conditioning Contractor; current, active)	Central Florida, Sarasota-Bradenton, Tampa-St. Pete, and Naples-Fort Myers	Maintenance plans	Yes
Scott’s One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating	More than three decades in the St. Petersburg area (company-stated)	Not listed on its St. Petersburg page; search the company name at myfloridalicense.com	St. Petersburg and Pinellas County	Club membership	Yes

Company profiles

Each profile lists the sources checked for it.

Address4700 95th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33708

Florida licenseCAC1822636 (Certified Air Conditioning Contractor; current, active)

Service areaPinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, Hernando counties

After hours24/7/365 scheduling; current emergency-service availability is confirmed when booked

Maintenance planComfort Club maintenance membership

Online bookingYes

NoteLennox dealer. Repair pricing follows diagnosis and a written scope.

Checked September 23, 2026 at: www.myfloridalicense.com · www.lennox.com

Address3100 39th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33714

Florida licenseCAC1823011 (Certified Air Conditioning Contractor; current, active; licensee Total Air LLC)

Service areaSt. Petersburg, Clearwater, Gulfport, Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole, St. Pete Beach, Treasure Island

After hours24/7 emergency repair advertised

Maintenance planTotal Air Care Club

Online bookingYes

Checked September 23, 2026 at: www.totalairinc.net · www.myfloridalicense.com

Address2990 32nd St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33712

Florida licenseCAC1813476 (Certified Air Conditioning Contractor; current, active)

Service areaPinellas, Hillsborough, and Sarasota counties

After hoursAfter-hours and weekend emergency service advertised

Maintenance planCool Club membership

Online bookingYes

Checked September 23, 2026 at: www.forestairac.com · www.myfloridalicense.com

AddressSarasota, FL (main address on its state license)

Florida licenseCAC055539 (Certified Air Conditioning Contractor; current, active)

Service areaCentral Florida, Sarasota-Bradenton, Tampa-St. Pete, and Naples-Fort Myers

After hours24/7 emergency repair advertised

Maintenance planMaintenance plans

Online bookingYes

NoteAlso offers plumbing, electrical, and water-quality services.

Checked September 23, 2026 at: www.cooltoday.com · www.cooltoday.com · www.myfloridalicense.com

AddressNot listed on its St. Petersburg page

Florida licenseNot listed on its St. Petersburg page; search the company name at myfloridalicense.com

Service areaSt. Petersburg and Pinellas County

After hours24/7 emergency service advertised

Maintenance planClub membership

Online bookingYes

NotePart of the One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning franchise network.

Checked September 23, 2026 at: www.onehourheatandair.com

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions homeowners ask when choosing an AC repair company in St. Petersburg.

Who is the best AC repair company in St. Petersburg, FL?

There is no single best AC repair company for every St. Petersburg home. The companies compared on this page each hold or advertise the basics: Hales AC (since 1986, Florida license CAC1822636), Total Air (since 2003, CAC1823011), Forest Air Conditioning & Heating (since 1994, CAC1813476), Cool Today (since 1963, CAC055539), and Scott’s One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating (more than three decades in the area, part of the One Hour franchise network). All five serve St. Petersburg and offer maintenance plans and online booking. Choose on license status, insurance, a written estimate before work, permits for replacements, and fit with your address and schedule.

How do I check an AC contractor’s Florida license?

Search the company or license number at myfloridalicense.com, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation license portal. An AC contractor should hold a Certified Air Conditioning (CAC) or Certified Mechanical (CMC) license with a status of current and active. The record also shows the licensee’s legal name and address, which should match the company you are hiring.

How much does AC repair cost in St. Petersburg?

AC repair pricing depends on the diagnosed fault, equipment, parts, refrigerant requirements, access, and the approved work. Hales AC provides a written repair scope and price after diagnosis so you can review the work before approving it. If replacement is worth considering, compare the system’s condition, repair history, applicable warranty, and comfort needs with the proposed repair and replacement scopes. Age or a single cost percentage does not decide which option is best for your home.

Does an AC replacement in St. Petersburg need a permit?

Replacing a central air conditioning system generally requires a building permit from the City of St. Petersburg or Pinellas County, depending on where the home is. The licensed contractor normally pulls the permit and schedules the inspection. Ask for the permit number before work begins; a contractor who suggests skipping the permit is a red flag.

Does Hales AC serve all of St. Petersburg?

Yes. Hales AC has served St. Petersburg since 1986. Its office is at 4700 95th St N, St. Petersburg, and it serves Pinellas, Hillsborough, Pasco, and Hernando counties. Hales AC offers 24/7/365 scheduling; current emergency-service availability is confirmed when booked. Confirm your exact service address and appointment availability when scheduling. Florida license CAC1822636 is publicly verifiable at myfloridalicense.com.

Related Hales AC Pages

Need AC Repair in St. Petersburg?

Hales AC has served St. Petersburg since 1986 under Florida license CAC1822636, with 24/7/365 scheduling; current emergency-service availability is confirmed when booked. Review the written repair scope and price after diagnosis.

Schedule service online (727) 398-5515