Free written scope consultation - allowances, timeline, and change-order rules on paper before a single trade is scheduled
Why Orlando Homeowners Choose Ameristar Construction
We provide independent Orlando Ameristar service, focused on the intersection of your home’s HVAC equipment and your remodeling project. When we pull cabinets, retile a bathroom, or cut into a roof, we’re often working around an Ameristar air handler, condenser, or packaged unit, and we know exactly how to integrate that equipment so it keeps running right. We’re not an Ameristar dealer and we’re not authorized by the manufacturer, but that’s precisely why homeowners call us: we have no incentive to sell you a new unit when a repair, a reroute, or a coordinated swap makes more sense. If you have an Ameristar system in your Orlando home and you’re planning any remodel or roof work, call (850) 427-6454 and we’ll walk the job with you.
Why Trust Penhallow Remodeling Orlando for Your Ameristar Construction?
Trevor Nash grew up in Los Angeles, learned the fundamentals of construction at Los Angeles Trade-Technical College, and spent the better part of two decades swinging a hammer on everything from slab foundations to finish carpentry. He and our crew have been serving Orlando homeowners for years, including Kissimmee Ameristar service and projects in College Park, where the older bungalows keep us honest about what 1950s-era framing actually looks like up close. When we show up to a remodel that involves an Ameristar system, we’re not guessing at what’s behind the drywall. We’ve pulled enough Silver Series air handlers out of attic crawl spaces in Orlando to know their failure patterns before we even open the access panel.
Our written price comes before any work starts, and it stays the same through the job. That matters when an Ameristar unit is part of the scope. If we find a cracked drain pan during a bathroom remodel, the cost to replace it is a line item you see and approve before we touch it, not a surprise on the final invoice. Every job carries our 365-Day Done Right Promise in writing: if the work fails inside that year, we come back and fix it at no charge. No service call fee, no re-inspection fee, no back-and-forth. That guarantee covers the Ameristar-related work we do, just like everything else.
Our technicians are background-checked and arrive in uniform. A live person answers our phone 24/7. And we’re part of the Kingswell family of companies, operating to The Kingswell Way since 2004: say the price before the work, show up in the window we gave, and leave the place cleaner than we found it.
Styles & brands we work with
Common Ameristar Construction Problems We Fix in Orlando
Orlando’s humidity, heat, and airborne debris do specific things to Ameristar equipment. Here’s what we see most often in this market:
- Evaporator coil leaks on Silver Series split systems. The Ameristar by American Standard Silver Series is common in Orlando spec homes from the 2000s and 2010s. After five to seven years of running hard in our humid climate, the copper-aluminum coils develop pinhole leaks. The symptom is weak cooling and a system that runs constantly. A lot of techs misdiagnose this as a refrigerant charge issue, top off the system, and leave. We pressure-test the coil and show you the leak before recommending anything.
- Condenser fan motor bearing wear on packaged rooftop units. Ameristar packaged units sit flat on Orlando roofs, exposed to pine pollen, oak debris, and eight months of heat. The fan motor bearings take the abuse. When they go, you’ll hear a grinding or squealing sound from the roof and the unit will start tripping its high-pressure switch. On flat-roof conversions and older commercial-to-residential projects, this is one of our most frequent finds.
- Cracked drain pans on attic-installed air handlers. Thermal cycling, plain and simple. Orlando attics swing from 140 degrees in August to 50 degrees on a January night, and the plastic drain pan under an Ameristar air handler expands and contracts until it cracks. The first sign is usually a water stain on the ceiling below, often right above a kitchen or bathroom. If you’re remodeling that room anyway, this is the time to replace the pan and re-route the condensate line.
- Compressor contactor pitting on older Ameristar units. The contactor is the electrical switch that tells the compressor to start. On units that have been in service for eight to twelve years, Orlando’s frequent lightning storms and voltage dips cause the contact points to pit and carbonize. The cooling cuts in and out, and homeowners often blame the thermostat. It’s a $40 part and an hour of labor, but it presents like a much bigger problem.
- Secondary condensate line clogs from algae growth. Orlando’s warm, wet conditions breed algae inside PVC condensate lines. The primary line clogs, the secondary line backs up, and water finds the lowest point, which is usually the ceiling over a hallway or the corner of a bedroom. We clean the line, check the float switch, and if we’re already in the house for a remodel, we’ll add a cleanout tee so it’s easier to maintain next time.
Ameristar Parts & Our Repair-vs-Replace Approach
When a repair is straightforward and the unit has reasonable remaining life, we source OEM Ameristar parts. That means the drain pan, contactor, fan motor, or control board comes from the same manufacturers that supplied the original equipment. For Orlando remodel-integrated jobs, OEM is usually the right call because it keeps tolerances tight and eliminates fitment surprises.
But we’re honest about replacement. If a Silver Series coil has leaked twice in three years, or a compressor on a ten-year-old packaged unit has finally given up, patching it again is throwing good money after bad. We’ll show you the repair cost, the replacement cost, and the expected remaining life of the unit, then let you decide. No pressure either way. If replacement makes sense and you’re mid-remodel, we coordinate the Ameristar Construction in St. Cloud, FL and our construction timeline so the HVAC work never delays the cabinet install or the tile set. Call (850) 427-6454 and we’ll give you a written number before any work starts.
Our Ameristar Service Process – Step by Step
- 1
Diagnosis. We inspect the Ameristar unit, identify the failure, and document it. If it’s a coil leak, we pressure-test with nitrogen. If it’s a drain pan, we pull the access panel and show you the crack. You see the problem before you pay for the fix.
- 2
Repair or replacement quote. We write the number down and hand it to you. OEM part costs, labor, and any construction integration work are separate line items. The price on day one is the price on the invoice.
- 3
The work itself. We do the Ameristar repair or coordinate the unit swap alongside the rest of the remodel. Background-checked, uniformed technicians handle the HVAC work; our construction crew handles the build.
- 4
Testing and verification. After the repair, we run the system through full heating and cooling cycles, check refrigerant pressures, measure temperature splits, and clear the condensate lines. If we replaced a drain pan, we pour water through it before we leave.
- 5
Warranty in writing. Every Ameristar repair we do carries our 365-Day Done Right Promise. If it fails inside a year, we return and fix it at no charge. That’s the whole promise, and it’s in your paperwork.
See the difference
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AfterAmeristar Products We Service & Install in Orlando
Our crews work on the full range of Ameristar equipment found in Orlando homes. We service Ameristar by American Standard Silver Series split systems, the entry-level units common in spec-built homes across the region. We also service Ameristar by American Standard Platinum Series units, the higher-efficiency systems found in mid-range remodels and newer construction. For flat-roof applications, including commercial-to-residential conversions and accessory structures, we service Ameristar packaged rooftop units. We stock common consumables locally: contactors, capacitors, drain pans, float switches, and condensate line fittings. Larger components like coils and motors are sourced quickly through our distributor network.
We Also Service These Brands
While this page focuses on Ameristar, our General Contractor crews work with cabinets from KraftMaid, countertops from Cambria and Silestone, and fixtures from Kohler. The brand of the product matters less than the standard behind the work. If your kitchen, bath, or roof project includes equipment or fixtures from multiple manufacturers, we handle the whole scope under one written price and one guarantee.
FAQs – Ameristar Construction Service in Orlando
Is Penhallow Remodeling Orlando authorized by Ameristar?
No. We are an independent Orlando construction and remodeling company. We service and integrate Ameristar equipment because it’s common in the homes we remodel, not because the manufacturer has certified us. That independence means our repair-versus-replace advice is based on what’s right for your house and your budget, not on moving units.
Do you use genuine Ameristar/OEM parts?
Yes, when a repair makes sense. We source OEM Ameristar parts including drain pans, contactors, control boards, fan motors, and capacitors through established supply chains. For some components, a quality aftermarket part matched to the original tolerances is just as good and costs less; we’ll tell you which is which and let you choose. Call (850) 427-6454 for a written quote on any Ameristar repair.
How long does Ameristar service take in Orlando?
Most Ameristar repairs we do in Orlando, including contactor replacements, drain pan swaps, and condensate line clearing, are completed same day. Coil replacements may take a day or two depending on part availability. When the Ameristar work is part of a larger remodel, we schedule the HVAC portion around the construction schedule so it never slows down the build.
What Ameristar models or series do you cover?
We service Ameristar by American Standard Silver Series split systems, Platinum Series split systems, and Ameristar packaged rooftop units. If your unit has an Ameristar data plate, we can almost certainly diagnose and repair it. If it’s a discontinued series with hard-to-source components, we’ll tell you that too and give you honest options.
Will your service void my Ameristar warranty?
No. The work we do on your Ameristar unit does not void the manufacturer’s warranty. We follow standard repair procedures and use parts that meet or exceed the original specifications. If your unit is still under the manufacturer’s coverage period, we can coordinate with the appropriate channels where applicable. Our own 365-Day Done Right Promise applies to our workmanship regardless.
How much does Ameristar construction or repair cost in Orlando?
It depends entirely on scope. Here are the relevant ranges for the work we do:
| Service | Orlando Price Range |
|---|---|
| Full kitchen remodeling, Ameristar-compatible scope | $14,000 – $45,000 |
| Full bathroom remodeling, Ameristar-compatible scope | $9,000 – $28,000 |
| Roof repair, Ameristar packaged unit roof penetration work | $400 – $1,800 |
Smaller Ameristar component repairs, like a contactor or a condensate line cleanout, cost far less than a full remodel. For an exact number, call (850) 427-6454 and we’ll put it in writing.
Can you move an Ameristar air handler during our kitchen remodel to make room for taller cabinets?
Yes. This is a documented part of our Orlando kitchen remodel workflow. Air handlers are frequently located in a closet, hallway, or attic space directly above the kitchen. If the unit needs to shift to accommodate taller cabinets or a new island layout, we handle the relocation as part of the construction scope, including the duct connections, refrigerant line extension, and condensate re-route. We’ll give you the number first, then pick up the tool.
Your team found a cracked drain pan on our Ameristar unit during our bathroom remodel. Is that a common issue in Orlando?
Yes, very common. Orlando’s attic temperatures cycle dramatically, and the plastic drain pan under an Ameristar air handler expands and contracts with those temperature swings. Over five to ten years, that thermal stress causes hairline cracks. We’ve found this on Silver Series units across the market, including a recent Conway-area kitchen remodel where the cracked pan was directly above the new island. The good news is the fix is straightforward and inexpensive when caught early.
How do you handle Ameristar rooftop units when doing a roof repair or replacement in Orlando?
When we do roof work that involves an Ameristar packaged rooftop unit, we coordinate the roof penetration details around the unit. That means proper flashing, correct curb height, and verifying the condensate drains still have proper fall after the roofing material is changed. If the unit needs to come off the roof to complete the work, we handle the uninstall and reinstall in sequence with the roofing crew so your cooling isn’t down any longer than necessary.
Do you replace Ameristar evaporator coils during a remodel, or do you refer that out?
We replace Ameristar evaporator coils as part of our remodel scope when it’s warranted. During a kitchen or bathroom remodel, the coil is often accessible because we’ve already opened the ceiling or wall cavity. That saves you the cost of a separate HVAC visit and lets us complete the coil replacement before the new finishes go in. We use OEM coils and test the system before we close the walls.
Can you build a custom enclosure for an Ameristar condenser unit that matches our new outdoor kitchen?
Yes. We build condenser enclosures that match the cabinetry and finish of the outdoor kitchen, with the clearances Ameristar requires for airflow and service access. The enclosure is built around the manufacturer’s minimum clearance specifications, so the unit keeps breathing properly and remains serviceable. If we’re building your outdoor kitchen anyway, the condenser enclosure is part of the same written quote.
Book Your Ameristar Service in Orlando, FL
If you own an Ameristar system in Orlando and you’re planning a kitchen, bath, or roof project, or you’re seeing water stains, weak cooling, or intermittent operation, call us. We’ll put the diagnosis and the price in writing before any work begins. Call (850) 427-6454 to schedule your free estimate.
Written by Trevor Nash, Owner at Penhallow Remodeling Orlando, serving Orlando homeowners for years.
