“My highest recommendations for Devon and the Maritime Air team — thorough, honest, and on time. They explained everything in plain language and didn't push any unnecessary upsells.”
Spencer Fuller
May 2026
Repair Guide · Treasure Coast
Your AC Is Probably Costing You Double What It Should
When FPL bills spike, blame falls on rates — but most Treasure Coast homes have an AC problem driving 40% of that bill. Here's what we actually measure on a high-bill diagnostic, and the seven causes we find most often.
Why Treasure Coast Trusts Us
Reasons Homeowners & Captains Pick Maritime Air Co.
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Treasure Coast residents
Residential · Commercial · Marine
Full-spectrum HVAC
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Start with the meter, not the AC
We bring an amp clamp and watt meter on every high-bill diagnostic. Step one is measuring actual AC power consumption — total amps × voltage during a steady-state cooling cycle. A 3-ton 16 SEER system should pull 2.8–3.6 kW running. Pulling 4.5+ kW means the compressor is working harder than it should, and the rest of the diagnosis tells us why.
Cause 1: low refrigerant charge
The #1 cause of high bills we find. A system 15% low on refrigerant uses 25% more electricity while delivering 30% less cooling. The AC compensates by running constantly. Most homeowners blame the weather or their habits; we find a slow leak and fix it.
Cause 2: dirty condenser coil
Salt air, lawn debris, and palm pollen plug the outdoor coil within months on the Treasure Coast. A coil that can't reject heat raises head pressure, which raises compressor amp draw, which raises your bill. A 30-minute coil cleaning often drops electrical consumption 15%.
Cause 3: leaky ductwork in the attic
Typical Florida ductwork loses 20–35% of its conditioned air through leaks before it reaches your rooms. Worse, the returns suck 130°F attic air into the system. Your AC works overtime cooling air you'll never feel. We pressure-test ducts with a duct blaster and seal with mastic — usually pays back in under 18 months.
Cause 4: wrong thermostat settings
Smart thermostats with poor scheduling, setbacks that drop below 78°F when nobody's home (then a brutal recovery), and humidity-aware modes that run extra cycles all drive bills up. We reprogram for Florida and explain why each setting matters.
Cause 5: undersized return ducts
A 3-ton system needs about 400 sq inches of return grille area. Many Treasure Coast homes have a single 14×20 return — half what's needed. The blower fights restriction, evaporator coil starves for airflow, and you pay for the inefficiency. We add returns when the math demands it.
Cause 6: failing compressor pulling high amps
A compressor with worn windings or weak motor bearings draws more current to do less work. If amp draw is 20%+ over nameplate FLA, we test windings and check superheat — often the compressor is on its way out and replacement is the right call.
Cause 7: 12+ year old system
A 10 SEER system from 2008 uses 60% more electricity than a modern 16 SEER unit to produce the same cooling. Sometimes the math just works for replacement. We give you honest ROI numbers — including FPL rebates and HVAC financing options — so you can decide.
What we leave you with
A written diagnostic report showing measured electrical consumption, refrigerant charge, static pressure, duct leakage estimate, and a prioritized fix list with estimated payback for each. No upsell — just the math.
Reviews
What Treasure Coast Customers Say
5.0
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“Devon has provided thorough maintenance and excellent service. Truly family-owned care — they treat your home like it's their own. Highly recommend for Treasure Coast homeowners.”
Oh Canada
March 2026
“Working with Devon on my HVAC system was a great experience from start to finish. Fair, clean install, and the system has been running perfectly through Florida summer heat.”
David Alker
February 2026
Our Work
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Real installs and repairs we've completed across the Treasure Coast.
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FAQ
Common Questions
Why did my electric bill suddenly double?+
Six common causes: undercharged refrigerant making the AC run constantly, dirty condenser coil, leaky ductwork pulling attic air, wrong thermostat settings, failing compressor drawing high amps, or a stuck contactor running the AC 24/7. We diagnose all six in a single visit.
How much should AC cost to run in Florida?+
A properly maintained 16 SEER 3-ton AC in Fort Pierce costs about $90–$140/month in peak summer (June–September) for the cooling portion of your bill. Over $200 means something's wrong.
Does setting the thermostat lower cost more?+
Yes, significantly. Each degree below 76°F adds about 5–8% to your cooling cost. 72°F vs. 76°F can be a 30% bill difference.
Will a smart thermostat lower my bill?+
Modestly — 8–15% if you weren't already setting back when away. Bigger savings come from fixing what's making the AC inefficient in the first place.
Why does my AC run all the time?+
Either the system is undersized (rare in Florida — most are oversized), the refrigerant charge is low, airflow is restricted, the thermostat is reading wrong, or the home has air infiltration / inadequate insulation. We measure to find which.
Are variable-speed systems really worth it?+
Yes in Florida. Variable-speed compressors run at low capacity for hours instead of cycling on/off, which uses 30–40% less energy and pulls more humidity. Payback in 4–6 years on bill savings alone.
Should I close vents in unused rooms?+
No. Modern systems are designed for a specific airflow rate. Closing vents raises static pressure, reduces efficiency, and can damage the blower motor. Use a zoning system if you need room-by-room control.
What affects the cost of fixing high-bill issues?+
What's actually wrong — a $50 thermostat reprogram is different from a $1,500 duct seal or a $3,000 system replacement. Diagnostic visit identifies the specific issue and gives you a fix-cost menu.
Bill out of control? Get a real diagnosis, not a guess.
Call (772) 236-4277 or schedule online. Class-A licensed across the Treasure Coast.