Few things are more frustrating than having your air conditioner fail on a sweltering summer or fall day. The good news is that AC systems rarely stop working without warning. By paying attention to early warning signs, you can catch small problems before they turn into major breakdowns. Here’s what to look for if you want to keep your cooling system running smoothly and avoid costly emergency repairs.
Conditioned Air Company of Naples, LLC Blog: Posts Tagged ‘AC Repair’
Detecting a Failing AC Before It’s Too Late: September Edition
Monday, September 22nd, 2025Don’t Ignore These 5 AC Noises in Venice, FL
Tuesday, May 30th, 2023Air conditioners are essential to many homes and businesses. They typically make little to no noise, but some odd sounds may indicate a problem that needs addressing by an HVAC technician. Here are five common AC noises you shouldn’t ignore in Venice, FL.
1. Squealing
A high-pitched squealing noise often means that either the bearings or belt need replacing. It’s not something to try replacing yourself; an HVAC expert needs to do it. Not addressing this could cause damage to the motor or other components of the AC system.
2. Rattling
Loose screws, bolts, or other parts of the AC unit may be the source of a rattle. Debris that has become entrapped inside the unit could also be the reason. Additionally, it could be possible that a part of the unit, such as the compressor, is malfunctioning or damaged.
3. Hissing
A hissing sound can indicate a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant cools the air in the AC unit, and a leak can cause the system to stop working efficiently or even break down entirely. An HVAC technician needs to come in and check for the source of the refrigerant leak and determine a solution.
4. Grinding
A grinding noise usually means a malfunctioning motor, worn bearings or a metal component that’s rubbing or scraping against another and causing friction. Not getting the problem fixed immediately could result in the issue worsening and getting more expensive to repair.
5. Banging
A banging noise indicates a broken compressor, an issue with the fan, or a problem with the motor. It’s important to have a professional inspect the unit and have them maintain your system in the future through preventative maintenance visits. The latter can help catch minor issues before they have the potential to become major ones.
If you hear any unsettling noises, turn off your HVAC system immediately. Promptly addressing any unusual AC noise can help prevent further damage to the unit. Contact Conditioned Air to repair or replace your AC system.
Image provided by iStock
HONEST AIR CONDITIONING OF VENICE JOINS CONDITIONED AIR; MERGER CREATES ONE OF THE LARGEST AC FIRMS IN SARASOTA COUNTY
Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019HONEST AIR CONDITIONING OF VENICE JOINS CONDITIONED AIR; MERGER CREATES ONE OF THE LARGEST AC FIRMS IN SARASOTA COUNTY
NAPLES, FL. – Conditioned Air and Honest Air Conditioning of Venice announced a partnership under which Honest Air will be acquired by Conditioned Air and operate as a division of the air-conditioning contracting and service firm. This merger expands Conditioned Air’s presence in Sarasota County and enables Honest Air Conditioning to provide enhanced products and services.
“This is a great partnership as our two companies share the same core values and a commitment to serve our customers with honesty and integrity and to provide service that will exceed their expectations,” said Tim M. Dupre, President and Chief Executive Officer for Conditioned Air.
Once the transaction is completed, Honest Air Conditioning will operate under its existing name as a division of Conditioned Air. A number of improvements also are in the works to allow the company to better serve customers, such as an updated dispatching/operating software program.
“We will have more access to employee training programs to ensure that we have the best technicians in the market,” said Nicholas J. Masher, President of Honest Air. “Our service fleet also will have increased inventory, which will allow us to serve customers faster, and improved buying power will ensure our ability to provide fair and competitive pricing in the local market.”
Headquartered in Naples, Conditioned Air is currently the region’s largest air-conditioning contracting and service firm with a total of 390 employees serving Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota and Manatee counties. The company expanded into Sarasota, Manatee and Charlotte counties in 2011, mostly to serve existing clients in those markets. The company has since experienced tremendous growth, increasing revenue and boosting its employment throughout the region.
To accommodate further growth in the northern region, Conditioned Air last year moved into the remaining flex space in its northern headquarters building located on Knight’s Trail Road in North Venice, growing from about 5,000 square feet up to 15,000 square feet. The company also has been increasing employment and expects to hire an additional 15 to 20 people over the next year.
The acquisition of Honest Air Conditioning fits with Conditioned Air’s strategic plan to grow the company both organically and through acquisitions of companies with similar corporate cultures.
Honest Air Conditioning has served the South Florida community since 2000. It is owned by husband and wife team, Nick and Brooke Masher. The couple is committed to the local community, to providing superior service to their customers and to running a successful company that provides a rewarding career to their employees. The Mashers will remain in a leadership role.
Founded in 1962, Conditioned Air offers local expertise in light commercial and residential HVAC systems, including design, engineer, estimate, installation and maintenance of new construction, refrigeration, indoor air quality and dehumidification systems. For additional information or to schedule service, call 1-888-COLD-AIR or visit www.conditionedair.com.
THE END OF R22: WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR OLD AIR CONDITIONER
Wednesday, August 14th, 2019Florida homeowners with older air conditioning systems may soon be facing a difficult choice: replace their entire air conditioning system or continue to pursue increasingly costly and hard-to-find R22 refrigerant when it’s time for AC service. For many, the smarter option is upgrading to newer technology, such as ductless mini split systems for additions. Standards for types of refrigerants used in air conditioning repair and maintenance are changing, and this means that this most common and least expensive refrigerant will soon be phased out. When the phase-out is complete in 2020, R22 refrigerant will no longer be available.
Why replacing your old AC may be better than maintaining R‑22 refrigerant?
- R‑22 refrigerant is being phased out due to environmental rules; no new R22 can be produced.
- As R‑22 becomes scarce, its price rises and availability becomes limited, making maintenance increasingly expensive.
- Old units using R‑22 often are less efficient than modern units that use newer refrigerants like R‑410A.
- Replacing the entire AC system with one designed for compliant refrigerants is often more cost‑effective in the long run than repeated R‑22 recharges and repairs.
R22 refrigerant, sometimes known as R22 Freon or HCFC-22 Freon, is an environmental danger because it contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. The U.S. government has placed restrictions on R22 and has issued the requirement that R22 refrigerant must be eliminated from use in cooling systems by the year 2020, making regular maintenance tasks like changing your air filters even more important for system efficiency. At this point, R22 will no longer be manufactured and cannot be used as a refrigerant in new air conditioning systems. R22 is being replaced by R-410A, a safer material which is the current, compliant standard refrigerant in air conditioning equipment.
The refrigerant change means several things for homeowners with older ACs:
- You can continue to use R22 refrigerant in existing systems, but it will only be available through after-market sales, such as when it is recovered from older systems that have been salvaged.
- Prices of R22 refrigerant have been rising and are expected to continue to rise. By the time the phase-out is complete, R22 will most likely be very expensive. Even if you need a recharge of R22 in the future, there can be no guarantee that the refrigerant will be available, especially as summertime temperatures continue rising.
- Availability of R22 will be limited since it cannot be purchased new. Even if you need a recharge of R22 in the future, there can be no guarantee that the refrigerant will be available.
- Complete air conditioning system replacement to an R422 model may be the most cost-effective solution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Question: What is R‑22 refrigerant and why is it being phased out?
Answer: R‑22 (also known as Freon or HCFC‑22) is a refrigerant commonly used in older air conditioning systems. It is being phased out because it depletes the ozone layer and contributes to environmental harm. Regulations require its production to stop and its use to be restricted.
Question: Is it still legal to use R‑22 in existing air conditioning units?
Answer: Yes. Existing AC units that use R‑22 can still operate and be serviced, but R‑22 is no longer manufactured or imported. Only recovered or recycled R‑22 is available, which tends to be more expensive and less easily sourced.
Question: What are the cost implications of continuing with an R‑22 AC system?
Answer: Costs tend to rise because R‑22 supply is limited. Repairing leaks, recharging refrigerant, or maintaining such systems becomes more costly. Over time, these rising service costs can make keeping an old system less economical than replacing it.
Question: Can I retrofit my old R‑22 air conditioner to use a newer refrigerant?
Answer: In some cases it may be possible to retrofit, but there are limitations. Differences in system design, oil types, and compatibility can make retrofits costly, less efficient, or technically impractical. It’s not always guaranteed or cost‑effective.
Question: When is it more sensible to replace an R‑22 AC unit rather than keep repairing it?
Answer: It’s generally more sensible to replace when the unit is older (often over 10‑15 years), requires frequent repairs, has major component failures, or if the costs of maintaining R‑22 and its parts outweigh the benefits. Also when energy efficiency and environmental compliance are priorities.
Conditioned Air has the mission of keeping the residents of Ft. Myers, Sarasota, Naples, Bradenton, and the surrounding Florida communities cool and their air conditioners working properly and reliably.
Contact us today for more information on the types of refrigerants used in air conditioning system maintenance and what the new refrigerant changes will mean for your cooling system.
Conditioned Air plots major expansion
Wednesday, August 7th, 2019Conditioned Air of Naples recently announced plans to build a 52,710-square-foot operations center in Fort Myers.
The march up Florida’s west coast from Collier County to grab more market share continues to blow quickly for Conditioned Air of Naples.
The latest news: The company recently announced plans to build a 52,710-square-foot operations center in Fort Myers, a replacement of its current facility in the area and the culmination of a two-year search. The air conditioning contracting and service firm company, with 370 employees and $51 million in revenue in 2018, also plans to double in size in the next five to seven years, mostly in Lee and Sarasota counties. “We are very excited about the future of Conditioned Air, with a combination of organic growth through the company and potential acquisitions,” Conditioned Air President and CEO Tim Dupre says in a statement.
The new complex will be in the Southwest International Commerce Park, just across from Southwest Florida International Airport, off Interstate 75. The building will be slit into some 10,800 square feet of office space, 31,110 square feet of warehouse space and 10,800 square feet of mezzanine for storage and future expansion.
Founded in 1962, Conditioned Air’s 370-person payroll is divided into 185 people in Collier County, 124 in Lee County and 61 in Sarasota County. The new building — replacing an existing smaller facility nearby on Jetport Loop — will be the company’s central hub for the growing Lee and Charlotte county markets. It will provide operational support for its Naples headquarters and Sarasota branches, the release states, and will also be the company’s main training facility, with a fully functional training lab for hands-on education.
Officials hope to break ground for the project in October, with expected completion and occupancy scheduled for July 2020. The developer is Seagate Development Group, and the architect/designer is McHarris Planning & Design.
Happy July
Monday, July 8th, 2019July is here and it’s time to save big! Lennox has just unveiled new rebates just in time for summer. You can now save up to $1600 on select units. This doesn’t include the money you will save on your utility bills this hot and humid Florida summer. Get in now and find out more here
Lennox Rebates Are Coming
Tuesday, June 25th, 2019It’s Summer in Southwest Florida and your AC Unit is running overtime. If your unit is over 8-10 years old, now is the time to be thinking about a replacing that old tired AC unit. You will be amazed by the money a new unit will save you on your utility bill. Our friends at Lennox are offering great rebates to help you save money and stay cool all summer long. Starting July 1st you can save up to $1600 on a new high efficiency AC Unit from Lennox. Find out more details by clicking here
Summer is back in Southwest Florida!
Monday, May 6th, 2019Summer 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!
Conditioned Air Wins Again
Thursday, November 8th, 2018CONDITIONED AIR EARNS OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Conditioned Air Co. of Naples received the Southern Business Unit (SBU) Outstanding Achievement Award on Oct. 29 at the at the Mitsubishi Diamond Dealer Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. The company was one of three Florida firms to earn the honor and the only one from Naples to Sarasota. The SBU Outstanding Achievement Award recognizes Conditioned Air as the largest heating, ventilation and air-conditioning company in its market, utilizing state-of-the-art inverter-driven intelligent systems as the future of the industry and home automation. Based in Naples, Conditioned Air has more than 375 employees serving Collier, Lee, Charlotte, Sarasota and Manatee counties.
The Life of “Shorty”
Tuesday, July 24th, 2018Today marks a big milestone in the life of William “Shorty” Sander, our longtime service professional and Field Supervisor. Longtime does not do it justice as today is Shorty’s 50th anniversary with Conditioned Air. Yes, five zero, 50. He came to work on July 24, 1968 when CAC had only 12 people. 50 years of loyalty to the people of Conditioned Air, our customers and clients all over southwest Florida and the industry and profession he loves. What a landmark day in Shorty’s life and fortunately for all of us, our lives as well.
Shorty is part of the foundation and fabric that is Conditioned Air and his contribution to the lives of people here and the people we serve cannot be overstated.
Congratulations Shorty!!