Recently, we had a customer who filled out our Ask an Expert form and asked, “Once the [air conditioning] system is filled with Freon, how long might the Freon last? Forever so long as there are no more leaks? For context, this customer’s parents had a slow refrigerant leak in their AC system. These are great questions. So we wanted to share the answers with everyone. Freon (which is really just a particular brand of refrigerant) lasts forever. It’s not like gas in car; it does not get “used up.” You see, your air conditioner’s refrigerant system is a “closed/sealed system,” meaning that it does not allow refrigerant to escape in any way. Of course, if you are low on refrigerant your system has a leak. So adding refrigerant without addressing the leak wastes money. A ton of it. R-22 refrigerant (a common refrigerant in older ACs) is expensive because it’s being phased out by the EPA. Adding 7 lbs of Freon could easily cost you $700. So, that leads to the next question.

Age eventually takes its toll on an air conditioner, so you could say a refrigerant leak is inevitable. Refrigerant circulates under high pressure and therefore wears down and thins the inside of the tubing. A better question is, “What can I do to prevent refrigerant leaks?” Your goal is to prevent refrigerant leaks and, when you do get them, nip them in the bud before they get too large. The larger the leak, the more refrigerant you lose. Keep your dog away from the outside AC unit Dog urine is acidic and can eat through the refrigerant coils. So keep your pooch away. Alternately, you could add a small fence around the unit. But make sure you leave at least 2 feet of space free around the AC so it can cool your home properly. Get professional AC maintenance once a year Many leaks occur because of vibration and wear and tear at multiple joints in the system. Annual air conditioner maintenance can catch any possible leak problems before they become expensive disasters.

See what a professional AC maintenance visit should look like according to ENERGYSTAR. We love hearing from our neighbors in the metro Atlanta area. So if you have any questions, ask one of our experts for help. Also, if you think your AC is low on Freon, or you just want to prevent a Freon leak, contact us for help. (P.S.: You’ll save 10% on any repairs by scheduling online!) Coolray is your Atlanta-area home comfort expert with specialists in heating, air conditioning, air quality and plumbing. We’d be happy to help – just contact us online.For answers to all your heating and air conditioning questions please call us at or email us at downingheating@sbcglobal.net. We look forward to serving you. Q: Why should I consider replacing my heating or air conditioning system? A:  There are a number of factors to consider when determining whether to repair or replace an existing system. Depending on the type and age of the unit you currently have installed you may be able to save a significant amount of money by replacing it with a newer, more energy efficient unit.

Systems manufactured as recently as eight to ten years ago are up to 60% less energy efficient than systems on the market today. ac to dc power supply circuitThat means that, in many cases, a new unit can pay for itself in lower energy costs in a very short time.security for ac unit If you are facing a large repair on an older system it might be a good time to replace the unit instead of simply buying a few more years on a system that will eventually need replacing. top 10 hvac companies in usaIf financing a new unit, the monthly energy savings can usually offset a majority of the cost of a new system. Q:  How expensive are new Heating and Air Conditioning units?A:  The answer depends on a number of factors including the size of your home or office, the condition and configuration of the ductwork the energy source for your units and many others.

The experienced professionals at Downing Heating & Air Conditioning can help you choose the system that best suits your needs. Through determining the physical requirements of your home or office along with your preferences and desires we can help you choose a unit that will match your needs and control recurring costs. Q:  How long should my new heating and air conditioning unit last?A:  Manufacturers provide different guidelines for the life expectancy of their various heating and air conditioning units. In general, under normal operating conditions and provided that routine maintenance is conducted in accordance with manufacturers’ guidelines you can expect your new unit to deliver dependable service for 18 to 24 years. Q:  What types of preventative maintenance can I do myself?A:  There are a number of things that you can do yourself to ensure the optimal operation and efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Call Downing Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. at to schedule a complete, professional inspection of all your heating and air conditioning equipment today.

Repairing Your Air Conditioner or Heater Versus Replacing It - If your air conditioning or heating system fails occasionally you are faced with a choice, to repair the existing unit by replacing parts or by buying a new air conditioner or heater. Some air conditioning and heating companies push a certain solution based on what is convenient or what method earns them the most money. Get the solution that is best for your situation and a needs. Don;t be pressured into making a snap decision, first get the facts from Ra-Jac Air. What to Consider - If your air conditioning or heating system fails occasionally you are faced with a choice, to repair the existing unit by replacing parts or by buying a new air conditioner or heater. You should decide whether to repair or replace a unit based on what is in your best interest. To help with this important decision we have gathered this important information for you to consider. The Three Main Factors - When considering whether to replace your existing unit the three main factors to consider are the life expectancy, efficiency, and current condition of the unit.

Each must be considered carefully before you decide whether to repair or replace your air conditioning or heating unit. If any of these factors is a problem area then you should consider replacement and if two or three are problems then replacement is almost always your best bet. Life Expectancy - Most units last only eight to twelve years, after that point they become expensive to repair and break down often. After this time the parts are sometimes discontinued which causes them to be more expensive if not completely unavailable. If you live in an area near the ocean or with a high salt content the life span of your unit may be even shorter due to corrosion. Consider the age of your equipment when you decide whether to replace or repair your unit. If a unit is eight years old or older it is nearing its life expectancy. You can add at least four years to this number if you have consistently had it professionally maintained during this time. Efficiency - If you completely restore an aging unit, which is expensive to do, you will still only have the efficiency that it was rated for when it was manufactured at best.

Older units are much less efficient that newer ones due to constant improvement and increasing energy standards imposed by the government so replacing your unit can save you money if your units is old and inefficient. Units are rated by S.E.E.R. or seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. An easy way to understand these ratings is as follows; a unit that is rated at 10 S.E.E.R. gets ten units of cooling for a set amount of electricity a unit rated 14 S.E.E.R. gets 14 units for the same amount of electricity so you get 40% more cooing for the same amount. Savings of up to up to 60 percent or more on your electric or gas bill is possible when you replace it with high efficient equipment. In a lot of cases installing a new furnace and or air conditioning system can pay for itself in energy savings within a relatively short time. Current Condition - Consider the current condition of your unit when you decide whether to repair or replace your air conditioning and heating unit. Factors to consider are the quality of the equipment (reputable brand, builders model, etc.) number of breakdowns and how often the unit has been maintained.

If your unit hasn't been maintained or is an inferior quality or has frequent breakdowns consider replacement as a serious option. No matter the skill of the installer or service professional there is little that can be done with a unit that is in very poor condition besides restoring the unit which is almost always prohibitively expensive. Getting Professional Advice from a Reputable Company - A reputable company can help educate the consumer so that they can make an informed decision about the replacement or the repair of an existing air conditioner or heater. Repairing your unit may be the cheapest solution in the short term but may be more expensive down the road. If your unit is old, breaks down often and consumes more energy than a newer system installing a new system can more than pay for itself over time. If not then simple repairs may be the smarter option. A reputable company should be able to walk you through your options. In the end the decision is yours. Note on Matching Systems and other Pitfalls - Whenever your condensing unit goes out most reputable air conditioning technicians will recommend that you replace your indoor air handler at the same time because the two units must be matched so that your new outdoor unit can work at maximum efficiency.

Improperly matched units will shorten the life span of your new unit. This is just one of the many pitfalls that need to be avoided when replacing a system. Do not make a serious mistake when buying a system. Consult a reputable professional. Company Profile of Ra-Jac Services Air Conditioning and Heating TX - Our goal - Since 1966 we have been providing professional and affordable residential, commercial and industrial air conditioning and heating service and installation to our customers in and around the Galveston County area. Our goal is exemplary service built on honesty, education, certification, and high ethical standards. As a result we are quickly growing into one of the leading heating and air condition service companies in the Southern Texas area. Our Texas Service Areas -- If you are in the Algoa, Arcadia, Bacliff, Bayou Vista, Clear Lake City, Clear Lake Shores, Dickinson, El Lago, Friendswood, Galveston, Hitchcock, Kemah, La Marque, League City, Nasa Area, Nassau Bay, San Leon, Santa Fe, Seabrook, Taylor Lake Village, Texas City, Tiki Island, or the Webster Texas areas and want a professional to service, install, or maintain your air conditioning