Furnace & heating
AC repair
Heat pumps
Ductless mini splits
Carrier
Trane
GoodmanSeasonal tune-up and full diagnostic on your Carrier, Trane, or Goodman system - readings shown to you before any repair is proposed
Diagnosis first, numbers second - you approve the repair price before a single part goes in.
Get your free estimateLennox AC Installation in Fort Lauderdale: What to Know First
Lennox AC installation in Fort Lauderdale typically runs $3,500 to $7,500 depending on the model line, your home’s square footage, and whether ductwork needs modification. We’re an independent Lennox service provider, which means we install and service these systems without being tied to corporate sales quotas or manufacturer pricing mandates. Most Lennox installs take one to two days, and you’ll have a written price in hand before any equipment gets ordered. If your Lennox has quit on you or you’re planning a replacement before the next Florida summer hits, call (754) 354-7289 for a free estimate. Victor Mancini and our crew have been turning wrenches on Lennox systems throughout Fort Lauderdale for years, from Coral Ridge to Rio Vista to the neighborhoods west of I-95.
How Lennox Products Fail – and How We Fix Them
Lennox builds efficient equipment. Like every brand, it has patterns. Here’s what we actually see in Fort Lauderdale homes and how we address it when the time comes to replace or repair before a full installation.
- Evaporator coil leaks on the Merit Series. The Merit line, Lennox’s entry-level tier, uses aluminum coils now, but older copper-to-aluminum joints at the coil connections are a frequent leak point. In Fort Lauderdale’s salt air, that decay accelerates. We see Merit systems along Las Olas and Victoria Park losing charge within five to seven years of install. Fix: we pin down the leak with a nitrogen pressure test, then either replace the coil under warranty or quote a full replacement if the unit is past ten years and out of refrigerant R-410A.
- Compressor failures tied to long run times on the Elite Series. Elite models, like the XC16 and EL18, run long cycles because they’re built for efficiency, not blast cooling. South Florida heat waves push them hard from March through November. The compressor is mature technology, but a fifteen year old unit in Fort Lauderdale has been through roughly 45,000 run hours. When it seizes or the windings burn, replacement becomes the honest recommendation rather than patching.
- The Signature Series and its proprietary controls. The XC25 and XC20 use Lennox’s iComfort communicating thermostat. When the thermostat main board fails, it’s not a $25 part; it’s a $400 to $700 board, and the entire system depends on it. That’s worth knowing before installation because you’ll want to factor in warranty coverage. We can install a generic thermostat as a stopgap, but it removes the variable capacity feature that made the Signature Series worth its premium.
- Condensate drain issues with Lennox evaporator pans. Lennox drain pans are shallow compared to some other brands. Combined with Fort Lauderdale’s humidity and a slightly off-level install, biological growth clogs the drain line fast. You’ll know it when water backs up and trips the float switch, killing the AC. Our installs use a deeper redrain pan conversion where the existing duct layout allows it, plus a secondary float switch on every coil we put in.
- Fan motor and capacitor stress common to all split systems, with a Lennox twist. Lennox outdoor units use ECM condenser fan motors on newer models, including the EL17 and SL18. ECM motors aren’t cheap, and when they fail, it’s often because voltage from Florida Power & Light flickers during storm season. We see it after summer storms in neighborhoods like Harbordale and Tarpon River. And that’s why a surge protector on the disconnect box is standard practice for us, not an add-on.
Styles & brands we work with







Our Lennox AC Installation Process
Here’s the job from start to finish, the way we run it in Fort Lauderdale every day.
- 1
Call us at (754) 354-7289. A live person answers, day or night. You describe the problem. We schedule a firm window, not a four-hour shrug.
- 2
Diagnostic visit. Victor or a crew member arrives on time, walks the system, checks refrigerant charge, electrical draw, airflow, and duct condition. We’ll tell you plainly if the Lennox can be saved or if you’re pouring money into an old system.
- 3
Written quote before anything is ordered. We hand you the full installation price including equipment, labor, refrigerant recovery, permit handling, and any needed line-set or pad replacement. That price doesn’t shift at the door.
- 4
Install day. We recover old refrigerant per EPA rules, set the new Lennox unit on a composite or concrete pad, install the matched coil, connect and braze lines under nitrogen, pull a deep vacuum, and charge to manufacturer spec. We handle Fort Lauderdale’s permitting requirements, including the mechanical and electrical side.
- 5
Startup test and walkthrough. We run the system through a full cycle, measure temperature split, check condensate drainage, and set the thermostat. Before we leave, we clean the work area and review the 365-Day Done Right Promise with you in writing.
- 6
365-Day Done Right Promise on the whole installation. If anything fails within a year of the install due to our workmanship, we come back and fix it at no charge. That’s on paper, not a pat on the back.
See the difference
Before
After
Before
After
Before
AfterWhat Lennox AC Installation Costs in Fort Lauderdale
Here are the numbers you’ll actually see on a quote, not a national average pulled off a generic website.
- Lennox Merit Series (ML14 or ML17): $3,500 – $4,500 installed for a typical 2 to 3 ton split system in a single story Fort Lauderdale home with existing ductwork in workable shape.
- Lennox Elite Series (EL18 or EL180): $4,500 – $6,200 installed. You’re paying for efficiency and a quieter outdoor unit. For a 2,000 to 2,600 square foot home in areas like Victoria Park or Coral Ridge, budget closer to the top end.
- Lennox Signature Series (XC20 or XC25): $5,800 – $7,500 installed. These variable capacity units shine in Florida’s shoulder seasons when full blast cooling isn’t needed. The monthly energy savings help, but the upfront premium is real.
- Heat pump installation (Lennox XP series): $3,800 – $7,200, depending on the model tier. Heat pumps are an honest fit for Fort Lauderdale’s short, mild winters, and they double as your heating system.
What moves the price here? Your home’s square footage and duct condition first, then the model line, then modifications like new line sets, drain pan retrofits, or electrical whip upgrades. Fort Lauderdale code requires a permit and final inspection on full system changes, and our quote includes that cost. Call (754) 354-7289 for an exact price on your exact house. Estimates are free and there’s no obligation.
Why Fort Lauderdale Homeowners Call Cold Harbour Heating and Air Fort Lauderdale for Lennox Work
We’re independently owned and operated, part of the Kingswell network, and we’ve been at this since 2003. Around here, homeowners have had enough of contractors who overpromise. They want someone who answers the phone and backs the work. We do both. Our techs are background-checked and uniformed, and every one of them has worked on Lennox equipment long enough to know its quirks. But we also service Carrier and Trane, plus six other major brands, so when we recommend a Lennox, it’s because it’s the right call for your house, not because we’re boxed into one line.
The 365-Day Done Right Promise covers every repair and installation we do. If something fails in that window, we return and correct it at no charge. That promise goes in writing before the technician leaves your driveway. And the name Cold Harbour? A cold harbour was a roadside shelter where travelers waited out rough weather. That’s the job: keep your home comfortable through every Fort Lauderdale season, and mean it.
FAQs
Lennox’s manufacturer warranty covers parts only, typically five to ten years on the compressor and major components if registered. Labor is not covered. That’s why we include our 365-Day Done Right Promise on every install, in writing, covering workmanship for a full year. Call (754) 354-7289 for a detailed breakdown of what your specific Lennox model’s warranty covers.
Most single system Lennox installations take one full day. Duct modifications, new line sets, or moving the air handler from a closet to the attic can push it to two days. We’ll give you a firm schedule when we hand over the written quote, and we stick to the window.
If your Lennox is under ten years old and the repair is under $600, repair is usually right. If the compressor failed, the coil is leaking, or the system uses R-22 refrigerant, replacement is the honest path. R-22 is phased out and costs $150 to $200 per pound when it can even be found. We’ll show you the repair cost and the replacement cost side by side, and let you decide without pressure.
We can install equipment you purchased, with two caveats: Lennox manufacturer warranty stays intact only if a licensed contractor handles the install, and we’ll need to verify the unit is correctly matched to your indoor coil. Mismatched coils kill efficiency and can shorten compressor life. We’ll inspect before we commit.
Yes, sometimes. FPL runs efficiency rebates for certain SEER2 rated Lennox models, and Lennox itself offers seasonal manufacturer rebates on qualifying systems. We’ll figure out what applies to your install and handle the paperwork. Call (754) 354-7289 and we’ll check your address and equipment choices for current rebate programs.
If your Lennox system is acting up or you’re ready to plan a replacement before the humidity cranks up again, call (754) 354-7289. Tell me what it’s doing, and I’ll tell you what it needs, no guesswork, no runaround. Free estimates, written prices, and a live person on the phone every time.
Written by Victor Mancini, Owner & Lead HVAC Technician, Cold Harbour Heating and Air Fort Lauderdale at Cold Harbour Heating and Air Fort Lauderdale, serving Fort Lauderdale and nearby areas.