Air Conditioning

NEVER!! That’s correct, never. The Freon system is a sealed system. Once the system is filled during the initial installation, a system should never need Freon again. If your air conditioner needs Freon yearly, it has a serious leak. You should consider repairing the leak or replacing the equipment.

Latta-Whitlow, LLC’s data suggests a dirty filter leads directly or indirectly to 71% of all service calls. A filter or no filter can contribute to an extremely expensive service call. In the cooling mode, a dirty filter causes low air flow across the evaporator coil. No filter allows airborne debris to collect on the evaporator coil. A dirty evaporator coil prevents heat from inside your home from transferring to the cool refrigerant. Putting it in simple terms, a dirty filter or lack of an air filter can result in thousands of dollars worth of equipment. A clean filter also presents a healthier living environment.

Annually. A cleaned and tuned-up air conditioner provides cold air at a lower cost of electricity to produce. A question I have for you, if you don’t mind: How often do you change the oil in your car? The air conditioner in your home operates more during the summer than your car. We like to call the residential air conditioner the “hidden appliance”. Most homeowners neglect this appliance until it’s too late. The unit will break down when it’s needed the most.

The best time of the year for servicing your air conditioner is in late March to early May. This will allow you to beat the heat and the rush. BUT, any time is the best time to service your air conditioner, if you haven’t had the unit serviced in years.

We don’t know your mechanical skills, so we can't necessarily answer this question. We can tell you that the outdoor unit should be kept free of grass clippings and other debris. If you wash the outdoor unit, make sure the electrical breaker for the unit is off! You don’t want to electrocute yourself. Never use a wire brush to clean the coil. Our maintenance program includes cleaning the outdoor coil (condensing unit).

Replacing an air conditioner is a major investment. Having the proper knowledge of the situation is extremely important when making the decision to repair or replace the unit. If the condensing unit is four years old, the decision may be different than if the unit is 10 years old and definitely different from a unit that is 15 years old. If the system is out of warranty, the decision becomes even tougher. Here at Latta-Whitlow, LLC, LLC., we explain all options, give you accurate advice and over 60 years experience you can rely on, so you can make the right decisions for you and your family.

No can do! The air conditioner needs to remove the humidity from the air in your home. An oversized air conditioning system won't dehumidify your home properly, which will make your home environment feel cold and clammy. An improperly sized heating and cooling system will eventually cause major issues for your equipment and your home.

Ice should never be on any part of your system. The temperature must always be above 32 degrees. If the temperature drops to 32 degrees, the humidity will turn to ice. Air cannot pass or flow through ice! Three reasons for ice forming are low levels of Freon, lack of air (usually caused by dirty filter or evaporator coil), or too much Freon in the system. The solution to this problem is simple and usually takes about an hour.

During the cooling season, when the air conditioner is operating, the warm air passes over the air conditioner’s evaporator. The heat from your home transfers from the warm air flow to the Freon cycling in the air conditioning system. The humidity in the air flow cannot transfer into the copper or aluminum coils. The humidity condenses into water and drains into a drain pan. The drain pan usually has a ¾ PVC fitting attached to it. When the coil pan leaks or the drain line is plugged, water will spill into areas around the furnace. This problem usually occurs with older equipment.

Poor ductwork design may be the problem. During the construction of the house, improperly sized ductwork may have been installed. Another possibility is the cooling or heating system is improperly sized. If the room is upstairs, lack of attic insulation may be the problem. Remember, all problems have solutions, and Latta-Whitlow, LLC, LLC. has experience you can rely on!