Conditioned Air Company of Naples, LLC Blog: Archive for the ‘HVAC Tips’ Category

Should I Repair or Replace My Aging Air Conditioner?

Saturday, February 19th, 2022

If you turn on your air conditioner and it doesn’t seem to be working right, or it won’t run at all, you may be wondering if you should have your air conditioner repaired, or if it is finally time to have your aging HVAC system replaced. While a variety of factors will influence whether it is worth it to have your AC system repaired, here are a few things that you should consider when trying to decide whether to repair or replace your home’s air conditioner, including whether you may be dealing with blown air conditioner fuse problems.

How Your Air Conditioner’s Age Affects Replacement Decisions

When trying to decide whether to repair or replace your ailing AC system, the first thing that you should consider is your unit’s age. The average life expectancy of a residential air conditioner is around 10-15 years. This means that if you are experiencing problems with your air conditioner and it is 15 years old (or older), then it likely doesn’t make financial sense to have it repaired. You will likely only continue to experience problems with it, and it could end up costing you more money in the long-run to maintain an aging system without yearly air conditioner tune-up.

When AC Repair Costs Become Too Expensive

The next thing that you will want to consider is how much it will cost to repair your air conditioner. If your air conditioner is fairly new, it may make sense to put $800 into having it repaired. However, if the cost of repairs approaches 50% the value of your unit, then repairs likely no longer make sense. You should also consider how much money you have already put into having it repaired if this is not the first time that you have encountered problems with your air conditioner. If you have had it repaired multiple times in recent years, this may be a sign that your system is failing and needs to be replaced.

Why Energy Efficiency Matters When Replacing an AC System

Has your air conditioner gotten more expensive to run in the last year? As air conditioners age, they lose their energy efficiency. Ultimately, you will want to consider how expensive it has gotten to run your air conditioner, and how much it will cost to have your system repaired, as it may end up being more cost-effective to invest in a new energy-efficient HVAC system, such as ductless air conditioning installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: Should I repair or replace my aging air conditioner?
Answer: The right choice depends on the system’s age, repair cost, efficiency, and comfort performance. A simple repair may make sense for a newer system, but replacement may be smarter if the unit is older, breaks down often, or can no longer cool your home reliably.

Question: How old is too old for an air conditioner?
Answer: Many air conditioners begin to show their age after 10 to 15 years, especially in Florida’s heat and humidity. If your system is in that range and needs frequent or expensive repairs, it may be time to compare replacement options instead of continuing to pay for fixes.

Question: What signs mean my AC should be replaced?
Answer: Signs that replacement may be the better option include rising energy bills, uneven cooling, frequent breakdowns, loud operation, poor humidity control, and repair costs that keep adding up. An aging system that struggles during hot weather may no longer be efficient or dependable.

Question: When is AC repair still worth it?
Answer: AC repair may still be worth it if the system is relatively new, the problem is minor, the repair cost is reasonable, and the unit has been well maintained. A professional inspection can confirm whether the issue is isolated or part of a larger pattern.

Question: Can a new air conditioner lower my energy bills?
Answer: A new air conditioner can help lower energy use when it replaces an older, inefficient system. Modern systems are designed for better performance, improved comfort, and more consistent cooling. The actual savings depend on your home, system size, usage habits, and the equipment you choose.


If you are unsure whether your ailing HVAC system needs to be repaired or replaced, contact us at Conditioned Air to schedule a consultation. One of our skilled HVAC technicians can inspect your unit and help you to decide whether to have your air conditioner repaired or replaced.
You can call us toll-free in Southwest Florida (888) COLD-AIR valid in Collier, Lee, Charlotte, & Sarasota Counties. Service Available 24 Hours a Day!

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Prevent Your Commercial Air Conditioner from Freezing with These Tips

Monday, December 27th, 2021

Commercial air conditioners are usually larger, unlike their residential counterparts. That means they are costlier, not just upfront but in repairs as well. Therefore, keeping your commercial air conditioning system in a good functional condition will always go a long way into reducing your business expenses. One of the common problems you’re likely to face with your commercial air conditioning is freezing. This can happen even during hot months. Freezing reduces the efficiency of your air conditioning system, and in most cases, you’ll need to shut it down until you fix the problem to prevent high energy bills. Below are tips on what to do when your commercial air conditioner freezes up.

Inspect Your Air Filters and Clean/Replace If Necessary

Airflow problems are the most common culprits when it comes to frozen air conditioners. That’s because proper airflow is imperative for keeping the cold air warm and preventing freezing. Therefore, check the air filters for dirt and other debris and clean or replace them depending on the model of the filters. Keep in mind that sometimes an air filter that isn’t the right size can also cause airflow issues. If your air filters aren’t the problem, schedule a ductwork inspection too. Blocked ducts can also prevent proper flow of air through your air conditioning system.

Check Your Refrigerant Lines for Leaks

If you have recently replaced your air filters or ductwork inspection doesn’t reveal any blockages, consider scheduling an inspection of your refrigerant lines. That’s because you could be dealing with low refrigerant or coolant levels. The refrigerant plays a crucial role in the cooling process. Usually, the refrigerant operates at a certain level of pressure. A drop in this pressure resulting from refrigerant leaks can facilitate the condensation of moisture on the refrigerant lines. While refilling the refrigerant may seem like a viable solution here, leaky refrigerant lines should be repaired. Refilling will only cost you more since the refrigerant will continue leaking.

Inspect Your Blower Fan

The blower fan is a crucial component of your commercial air conditioning system whose function is to aid the movement of the warmer indoor air outside your home to allow the cold air to settle inside. A defective blower fan will allow the cold and denser air to settle on the coils instead, resulting in condensation and freezing. Some of the things to watch out for when inspecting your blower fan for damage include breakages and cracks.

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Signs That You Should Call an HVAC Contractor

Wednesday, October 13th, 2021

Few things are more frustrating than having to deal with a malfunctioning heater in the dead of winter or a fickle air conditioner during a blazing summer. When worst comes to worst, all you can really do is call the professionals and have them either fix the problem or replace the appliance entirely. However, you can save a lot of stress and money if you catch these issues before they bloom into complete catastrophes. In order to give you the most comfortable home possible, here are some key signs that you should call out an HVAC contractor ASAP.

Your Air Quality Is Low

There are a variety of ways that low air quality can manifest, ranging from increased sickness in the house to a noticeable scent when the air conditioner or heater are turned on. In some cases (and especially if cash is tight), this may seem like a temporary problem and mild inconvenience that will soon pass, but that’s not always true. Poor air quality is often a warning sign that things will be getting much worse in the future. The filters could be clogged, which can lead to overheating and damage in the appliances themselves. Mold can grow quickly and spread throughout the home via ventilation, leading to severe health risks.

Your Appliance Is Making Strange Noises

If you hear strange noises coming from your heater or air conditioner while they’re running, then those may be indicators of much worse problems. If pieces are loose inside, then they may break entirely. This isn’t necessarily a common problem in state-of-the-art models, but it can be a serious issue for older appliances. In the worst-case scenario, this could potentially lead to an electrical or gas hazard that could become a fire.

How a Contractor Can Help

Getting a contractor to your home as soon as possible is one of the best ways to nip these problems in the bud. They can identify what’s causing the problem, how serious it is, and determine the best way to go about fixing it. Of course, they can also help you in other ways that people don’t often think about. Your air conditioner may be working fine, and the problem may be minor, but it may also be an extremely old model that simply doesn’t have the efficiency of modern air conditioners. A contractor can help you decide if an upgrade is worth it and how much you stand to save.

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How to Tell If an Air Conditioner Fuse is Blown

Monday, October 26th, 2020

A number of different problems can occur in an air conditioner that can cause it to stop functioning. However, if you notice that your air conditioner just up and dies on you during some of the hottest days of the year, it may actually be caused by a blown fuse, especially without yearly air conditioner maintenance.

What happens when an air conditioner blows a fuse is that fuse was preventing damage to the air conditioning unit and the electrical system. A common example is during a heat wave when the air conditioner needs to run itself almost constantly. At this time, it may heat up beyond the normal levels. If it gets too hot, a fuse will blow in order to stop any damage or potential fires from happening. While this keeps your home safe, it does stop the AC from functioning and may raise questions about aging air conditioner replacement.

If a fuse has blown, most commonly you will still hear a humming coming from the outdoor unit. This is the unit still asking for a current, but not getting anything. If you have a voltmeter and know how to use it, you can concretely test to see if a fuse has blown.

Is It Safe to Check an AC Fuse Yourself?

As this is an electrical issue, if you are ever unsure of what to do next, you will want to call a professional air conditioner technician. In most cases just because the fuse was blown doesn’t mean the current has stopped flowing. This means that while you are investigating your blown fuse and happen to find something like wire damage as the cause, you will want to avoid touching it for your own safety.

As is the case with most electrical issues, it is often safer and quicker to just call a professional. As this issue often happens when the temperatures are at their hottest, speed can be a huge deciding factor, especially for homeowners comparing repair needs with ductless air conditioning installation.

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5 Types of Air Conditioning Contractors to Stay Away From

Tuesday, September 1st, 2020

You have to be careful when you get an air conditioning contractor. Make sure that the person you contact is well-known in their field and has good reviews. A good air conditioning contractor is someone who will be punctual, professional and courteous.

They’ll be forthright about how much your air conditioning installation, repair or service is going to cost. They won’t quote one price and then charge you a different price later. And, of course, they’ll get the work done in time.

But where do you find someone like this? Well, here are certain things to stay away from:

  1. A Contractor Who Has Bad Reviews: Sometimes, you see that someone has bad reviews online but you decide to go with them anyway, either because they are located closeby or you can’t get anyone else to come at the time you want. It’s better not to do this. There’s a reason why that contractor has bad reviews and it’s better to avoid them altogether.
  2. A Contractor Whose Reviews All Sound Similar: It’s very easy to fake reviews online nowadays. And if a contractor is desperate to get some good reviews, they might register under several different names and write reviews for themselves. Or they might ask friends to do so. So if all the reviews are sounding the same, stay away.
  3. A Contractor Who Is Quoting an Absurdly Low Price: You’re thinking there’s nothing wrong with a low price. But if someone is quoting a price which is half the market price and they’re not giving you any good reason for doing so, then something’s not quite right. When it comes to air conditioning, you get what you pay for.
  4. A Contractor Who Doesn’t Know What You’re Talking About: Maybe you are getting a strange smell from your AC and you tell your contractor this. But they say that they’ve never heard of such a problem. Most good contractors have come across every problem you are likely to have. So, if it’s taking a while to explain what’s wrong, just go with someone else.
  5. A Contractor Who Can Fix Anything: Sure, there are handymen who will fix many little things for you around the house. But they are not terribly specialized. If you come across a contractor who insists that he can solve each and every problem in your home, from carpentry to plumbing to electrical, well they may be legit – but they may not. Just make sure you look into their credentials before hiring them.

 

Since our beginnings in 1962, Conditioned Air has stood the test of time as the area’s leading AC contractor. We know what it takes to offer quality service at a fair price, which allows us to stand out from the less than reputable companies. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you with your HVAC needs!

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Summer is back in Southwest Florida!

Monday, May 6th, 2019

Summer in Southwest Florida can be brutal. Are you ready? Most importantly, is your AC Unit ready?

Don’t be surprised and left out in the heat this summer. We can come out and make sure your unit is ready for summer. Manufacturers suggest getting your unit checked twice per year to keep your unit under warranty.

In case you didn’t know, we offer maintenance agreements where we come make a house call twice per year to keep your HVAC unit cleaned and running properly. It’s just like your car, it needs love too.

If you have any questions about just what our maintenance agreements are all about, please feel free to live chat with us here on our website or by calling us anywhere in southwest Florida at 1-888-COLD-AIR.

We are proud to serve from Bradenton to Naples so let us keep you cool all summer long!

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Spring Tune-Up Time

Tuesday, April 2nd, 2019

 

Before you head back north, make sure you schedule your preventive maintenance tune-up today. If you are a snowbird and leave Southwest Florida for the summer it’s always a good idea to have us come out and make sure your hvac system is in tip-top shape to survive the long hot Florida summer. The last thing you want to come back to in the fall is mold. Mold is always a concern when you are going to be away from your home for a long period of time.

With technology today, you can also have us install a Nest thermostat, which you can control right from your smartphone, anywhere in the world. It’s a really good option if you are indeed a snowbird who visits us just in the winter here in Southwest Florida.

Want to learn more about tips for snowbirds? Call us anytime at 1-888-COLD-AIR from anywhere in Southwest Florida.

 

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Prepare Now For Summer

Wednesday, March 27th, 2019

 

Summer in Southwest Florida is no joke. The heat and humidity are brutal. Is your air conditioning system ready for the long hot summer?

The average lifespan of an air conditioning system here in Florida is 8-12 years, that is why it’s so important to be pro-active and schedule your preventive maintenance today. Our technicians can help save you thousands down the road with this service every 6 months. If you want to learn more about money in the long run give us a call today. We have a great team who is dedicated to serving you and can give you more information on how you can make your system last longer than average.

Partnering with Conditioned Air on maintenance provides you with a wide range of benefits and the confidence that our highly-skilled and customer-focused technicians are here to serve you with the highest quality customer service available in the industry. For a safe and dependable comfort system – and the peace of mind that goes with it – sign up for a Conditioned Air maintenance program.

  • Two Precision Tune-Ups a Year
  • 15% Discount on Repairs
  • Priority Scheduling
  • Agreement is Transferable to New Owners
  • Help Maintain Efficiency & Capacity
  • Help Prevent System Failures
  • 24-Hour Answering Serving

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4 DIY Maintenance Tips to Keep Your AC Unit Running Efficiently

Monday, January 7th, 2019

Our air conditioning units in Southwest Florida run more than anywhere else in the United States. The average lifespan of a HVAC unit in Southwest Florida is 10-12 years which means it is very important to make sure your unit has proper care and preventative maintenance. We recommend our maintenance plans for proper and professional cleaning twice per year but in the meantime here is some do-it-yourself tips to help get the most out of your hvac unit all year long.

 

  1. Clean and unblock all vents and register : Make sure your airflow is consistent throughout the home
  2. Program your thermostat: Saves money and saves you time
  3. Clean your drain line with hot water and vinegar : This makes sure your unit doesn’t get clogged up
  4. Clean or replace your air filters: Because no one likes a dirty air filter 

Simple DIY HVAC Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

To maintain your home’s heating and cooling system, start by keeping all air vents and registers clean and clear for steady airflow. Adjust your thermostat to run efficiently when you’re away or asleep. Replace or clean air filters monthly to keep your system running smoothly, and remove debris around outdoor units while cleaning condensate drain lines to prevent blockages.

Keep your ac unit running year round and make sure you follow these tips and more on our website

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: What are easy DIY tasks I can do to maintain my AC unit?
Answer: You can clean and unblock all vents and registers, program your thermostat for efficient cooling, flush the drain line with hot water and vinegar, and clean or replace the air filters. These tasks help keep your system running smoothly between professional visits.

Question: Why is cleaning or replacing the air filter important for AC maintenance?
Answer: A dirty or clogged filter restricts airflow, forcing the system to work harder, raising energy bills, and shortening the unit’s lifespan. Regular filter maintenance improves efficiency and helps preserve the system.

Question: How does the condensate drain line affect my AC system?
Answer: The drain line removes moisture from the indoor coil area. If it gets blocked, water may back up, causing leakage, damage or mold. Flushing it regularly with hot water and vinegar helps prevent clogs and maintain proper drainage.

Question: Why should I program my thermostat and keep vents/registers clear?
Answer: Proper thermostat programming ensures your AC isn’t over‑cooling when it’s not needed, saving energy. Keeping vents and registers unblocked allows consistent airflow, so your system can cool effectively without strain.

Question: When should I call a professional instead of doing DIY maintenance?
Answer: When you notice signs like strange noises, refrigerant leaks, major airflow issues, or if the system hasn’t been professionally serviced in over a year, it’s time to call an HVAC technician. DIY is great for basic upkeep, but professional check‑ups catch deeper issues.

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