Questions About Black Jack Air & Mechanical
Got questions? We've got answers.
The most common questions we hear from customers, organized by topic. Don't see yours? Give us a call, we answer the phone.
Scheduling & Pricing
Do you offer maintenance agreements?
Yes, for both residential and commercial properties. An agreement covers scheduled visits and keeps a documented service history on your equipment.
How do I book a service call?
Call us at (941) 312-6527 or use the request form on our contact page. Customers regularly mention reaching a real person by phone, so calling is the quickest way to speak with our office.
What are your hours?
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, with 24/7 service coverage. Existing maintenance-agreement customers receive priority when service demand is high.
Do you charge to diagnose a problem?
Our office will explain the applicable diagnostic charge when the appointment is scheduled, before a technician is dispatched. After the diagnosis, you receive our findings, recommendations and supporting pictures so you can see what is happening before repair work begins.
Will you tell me if a repair is not worth doing?
Yes. If a system is past the point where repair makes financial sense we will say so and show you the arithmetic. It works the other way too: one reviewer had two other companies tell him to buy a new unit, and we replaced a part instead.
General
How long have you been in business?
We have served Sarasota and the surrounding counties for fifteen years, across commercial construction, custom home construction, and residential service and maintenance.
Are you licensed?
Yes. Black Jack Air & Mechanical holds Florida license number 1816555. Florida requires contractors to display their certification number on advertising, and you should be suspicious of any contractor who does not.
What kind of work do you specialize in?
Our work includes commercial construction, custom-home system design, and maintenance and service for residential and commercial properties. We have installed mechanical systems in more than twenty Sarasota landmark condo towers, hotels and retail properties.
Do you work with builders and property managers?
Regularly. Custom-home builders and property-management companies make up a large share of our work. Builder Ryan Perrone wrote, "Blackjack Air consistently delivers for us, and their team is responsive, professional, and dependable."
Do you handle both residential and commercial?
Yes, and a number of our customers use us for both.
Air Conditioning
How often should my system be serviced?
At least once a year, and ideally before the hot season rather than during it. Coastal Sarasota is harder on equipment than most of the country: salt air corrodes coils, and systems run most of the year with little idle time to recover.
Why does my AC run constantly but never feel comfortable?
Usually sizing or ductwork rather than the unit itself. An oversized system cools quickly, shuts off, and never runs long enough to pull humidity out, so the air ends up cold and clammy instead of dry. It is one of the most common problems we are called to fix.
How long should an air conditioner last here?
Roughly ten to fifteen years in this climate, at the shorter end for properties close to the water. Salt exposure and near-year-round runtime both take their toll, so a system that would last twenty years inland will not do so on the keys.
My drain line keeps clogging. Why?
Condensate lines block with algae and debris, and in humid conditions they do it faster. It is the fault most likely to cost more in water damage than in repair, which is why we clear and treat the line on every maintenance visit.
Should I repair or replace?
It depends on the system's age, what failed, and whether repairs are becoming a pattern. One repair on a ten-year-old system is maintenance; three repairs in two seasons on a fifteen-year-old system is money better spent on equipment that will not fail again in August.
Commercial
What kinds of buildings do you work on?
Condo towers, hotels, apartment and multi-family buildings, retail and restaurants. Our portfolio includes The Epoch, The Evolution, Six88, Peninsula Residences, The Collection Residences, The DeMarcay, The Sarasota Modern Hotel and UTC Mall, among others.
Can you replace equipment without shutting the building down?
Commercial replacement is planned around the building's operations. We coordinate crane picks, roof access, equipment staging and the installation sequence with management to reduce downtime.
Do you work on buildings you did not install?
Yes. On buildings we originally commissioned we already have the design intent and equipment history, which makes diagnosis much faster, but we take on new properties regularly and simply spend more time on the first visit.
Can you provide documentation for our board or owners?
Yes. Commercial maintenance visits are documented, and repairs come with a written account of what failed and what it means for the rest of the equipment. Boards generally need that in writing before approving significant spend.
Do you offer planned-replacement forecasting?
Yes, as part of a commercial maintenance agreement. Knowing which units are three years from end of life is what turns a special assessment into a budget line.
Custom Homes
Do you design systems for new custom homes?
Yes. We work with custom-home builders from design through commissioning rather than arriving at the end to install whatever fits.
Why involve an HVAC contractor early?
Because most of the decisions that determine whether a house is comfortable are made before anyone installs equipment: duct routing, mechanical space, zoning, ceiling heights and glazing. Correcting those after drywall is expensive and rarely as good.
Do you keep servicing the homes you build?
Yes, and most of our luxury residential service is exactly that. We already know the equipment, the zoning and the design intent, which makes every later service call faster.
Do you work with the homeowner or the builder?
Either, and often both. Builders bring us in as a trade partner on the project, and homeowners frequently stay with us directly for service once they move in.
Service Areas
Which areas do you serve?
Sarasota and the surrounding counties, Bradenton, Longboat Key, Siesta Key, Lakewood Ranch, University Park, Venice and North Port among them. If you are near Sarasota and not sure whether you are in range, call and ask.
Do you work on the keys?
Yes. Longboat Key and Siesta Key are regular territory. Properties that close to the water need more frequent attention than inland homes, since salt air is measurably harder on condensers and outdoor equipment.
Do you charge extra for distance?
Any travel consideration is discussed when you book, not added afterwards. Call us with your address and we will tell you plainly where you stand.
Reviews
Why People Keep Saying Yes!
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RC Regina Callahan
Google review, July 2026
“Excellent customer service on phone. Quick response time and very friendly helpful technician.”
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SC Sharon Casaburo
Google review, July 2026
“Service tech was very professional and polite.”
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KH Katie Hollingsworth
Google review, July 2026
“Always quick and responsive!”
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RP Ryan Perrone
Custom home builder
“As a custom home builder, we expect a high level of quality from our trade partners. Blackjack Air consistently delivers for us, and their team is responsive, professional, and dependable. We appreciate their attention to detail and the consistency they bring to our projects.”
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AW Allan Wattenmaker
Residential & commercial customer
“Blackjack has been our go to company for HVAC services for our residential and commercial properties. Their knowledge and service is beyond reproach.”
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BR Brittney Rose
Residential & commercial customer
“We use Black Jack Air for residential and commercial work, and we have been very pleased with both aspects! Debbie is very helpful in their office, and the technicians they’ve sent out have also always been very nice too! I trust them, and I know their work is top-notch! We’ve actually used a few other companies at our business, and Black Jack Air has been one million times more knowledgeable than the others!!”
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SD SEI d/b/a Supercuts
Commercial customer, several years
“We have used Blackjack for several years and find them reliable and fairly priced. We continue to use their services for our ongoing needs”
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JH Josh Hesson
Google review, July 2022
“This company is amazing and professional! I had 2 other AC companies look at my AC both told me to purchase a new unit, this company replaced a part and now my AC is working! Thanks guys”
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W Walter
Google review, February 2025
“If you are any place near Sarasota, Florida, your biggest challenge is finding a competent, honest HVAC contractor. Donny just replaced a faulty thermostat. He properly diagnosed the problem. He wired it so that we could have AC until he could return with a new one. He came back as soon as he could get his hands on the new thermostat. Lizzie in the office kept us up-to-date on the status as it had to be shipped in. These people actually have factory trained technicians.”
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ML Michelle Lam
Customer of ten years
“I’ve had them for a decade, that tells all 😀”
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BS Beth Spencer
Install & ongoing maintenance
“Black Jack installed our heating/cooling and have maintained it for us ever since. Alway professional. Always courteous.”
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HK Holly Kuri
Google review, September 2025
“Black Jack Air went above and beyond for me. I reached out with a last-minute AC problem and they arrived promptly, diagnosed it right away, and had it fixed quickly. The price was reasonable and clearly explained, no surprises. What stood out most was how kind and friendly the team was, and how respectful they were in communicating with me. Professional, reliable, and fair, highly recommend!”
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RB Robert Bennett
Google review, April 2026
“My AC drain was clogged. Suction, vinegar, nothing seemed to work. Many technicians tried. Today, he found the clog along the Pipe that no one else could find and now all is good and cool. Thank you.”
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OL Olivia Loos
Maintenance agreement customer
“I absolutely love my CMA agreement! Black jack has the most attentive service. So friendly and they know how to get what you want.”
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MS Mac Spencer
Google review, June 2026
“A/C not working at home May 2026 and the fixed it quickly We have a rental house that was having a new roof installed and the roofers had put two nails in the a/c pipe which drained all the fluid out. The damage was in the attic and very difficult to get to but they got it fixed quickly and for a fair price. WE HAVE USED BLACK JACK FOR MANY JOBS OVER TIME AND THEY ARE GREAT”
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WK wally kulesza
Google review, July 2026
“I have used their services several times, often in emergencies, some on weekends. Extremely responsive, professional, courteous, and always top-notch service. I could not recommend highly enough!”
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TG The George
Google review, March 2026
“Very pleased with this company. Service tech Ridge came out and troubleshot the problem. Turns out I did not need the condensation pump that I thought I needed! He saved me a bunch of money and fixed the real problem(s). Very professional and knowledgeable. Also, this was the only company that called me back, when I left a message.”
Still have questions?
Straight answers, documented work, and a real person on the phone.