Allen Air Conditioning Company answers Frequently Asked Questions
Allen Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat owner Steve Lauten answers some of the questions that are frequently asked by home owners about AC Repair and Maintenance.
Q: Why is my indoor A/C coil/pipes/compressor covered with ice?
A: A frozen indoor coil indicates that the refrigerant level is low, or the air filter is clogged. In either case, the coil will get colder & colder until the condensation on the coil turns to ice. This condition can be very harmful to the air conditioner, and is a common cause of bad compressors.
In the event of a freeze-up, turn the system off. Check the air filter. If the filter is not clogged, the air conditioner probably needs service.
Q: Does my air conditioner use freon? Is freon “illegal?”
A: The current law prevents the use of R-22 in NEW systems after 2010. The law also caps production of R-22, and will result in higher prices as supply tightens. R-22 should be available to service your air conditioner for a long time to come.
Q: What can be done to fix “hot spots” in my house?
A: Temperature variations from room to room result when duct work is incorrectly sized. In some cases, our technicians are able to rework the duct system to improve airflow. Another solution may be to replace the windows in a hot room with Low-E glass or have the existing windows tinted. The reduced sun load will cool the room and save energy.
Q: My air conditioner has just been diagnosed with a bad compressor. Should I repair the system or just get a new air conditioner?
A: Compressors fail for a number of reasons. One of the most common is “burnout.” In this situation, acid and burnt varnish are distributed throughout the system contaminating the indoor and outdoor coils and the refrigerant piping. This acidic oil is very difficult and costly to clean-up and will contaminate and shorten the life of the new compressor. In a burnout situation, we recommend replacing the entire air conditioner (indoor, outdoor, and piping) to insure long life and reliability of the new system.
If the compressor failure is due to broken valves, lightning strike, etc., compressor replacement is a feasible option. A homeowner should then consider the current age of the system, the energy saved by a new high-efficiency A/C, and benefits of a new system warranty.
Allen Air Conditioning Company, Total Air and Heat, is owned by Steve Lauten, the second generation owner. Founded in 1957 by Steve’s dad, Fred Lauten, Total Air and Heat is proud to have received some of the highest awards for quality and service that are offered in the Industry. Among those awards are the Readers Choice Awards from the Collin County Newspaper, the Trane Pacesetter Award in 2002, and designation as a Trane Comfort Specialist.
Steve is a member of the Advisory Council for the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. The ACCA is a non-profit industry organization led by the contractors to improve quality and services among members of the industry. TheACCA has a rich history of being overseen by strong leaders who have kept the organization moving ahead and worked to create a vibrant contracting industry.
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