Air Conditioning - Larry & Sons, Inc.

Advantages of a Ductless Mini-Split System

Posted on August 21, 2022December 20, 2023 by Larry & Sons

Do you have one or more areas of your home that never get comfortable? It can be frustrating when you run the air conditioner all day and your office or bedroom just never seems to reach the desired temperature.

Thankfully, there is an easy solution for conditioning areas of the home that don’t get enough from the central unit: a Daikin ductless mini-split unit It is called a ductless mini-split because it can be installed without have to add or connect air ducts.

ductless mini-split air conditioning infographic — source: http://www.salmonplumbing.ca/fujitsu-heat-pump.htm

What is a ductless mini-split system?

A ductless mini split system is an indoor handling unit that is installed in the room you desire and connected to an outdoor condenser unit (much smaller than typical heat pumps) by means of tubing. Refrigerant is passed through the tubing passing heat from one area to another. Rather than having to install conventional ductwork, all that is needed is a 3-inch hole in the outside wall.

You can either install ductless mini-splits to supplement your existing central air unit or completely replace your system them. Using ductless mini-split systems as a supplement will help you to avoid spending a lot of money to resize your current heating and cooling system.

Here are some areas of the home that could benefit from a ductless mini-split unit:

Additions
Garage
Basement
Attic
Home Office
Bedroom
Home Without Ductwork

6 Advantages of a Ductless Mini-Split System

Small Size – With a small outdoor compressor and an even smaller wall mount unit, you won’t even notice it’s there. No additional ducts need to be installed, making the ductless mini-split system a very discrete heating and cooling method.

Quiet Operation – Small, ductless units provide whisper-level silence.

Easy to Install – Copper tubing, carrying refrigerant, runs through a small hole in the exterior wall from the indoor unit to the outdoor unit. These systems are easier to install since they don’t require ducts that take up a lot of space.

Flexible – You can choose where you want the indoor unit – on the wall, ceiling, or floor. Most ductless mini-split systems can support multiple indoor air handlers, giving you the option to expand later. Each room can have its own remote thermostat control.

Energy Efficient – All ductless mini-split systems meet the minimum efficiency standards for central heat pumps and usually exceed them. Without having to pass air through leaky and inefficient ductwork, your air handler can release the conditioned air right into your living space. This improves energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Quality – The Daikin Quaternity ductless mini-split unit include air purification and humidity regulators so that your air remains clean and properly humidified.

Click here for more information on Daikin’s Quaternity Ductless Mini-Split Systems.

Larry & Sons offers professional and competitively priced Daikin ductless mini-split installations and maintenance in Hagerstown, MD and the surrounding areas.

Visit our ductless mini-split page for more information on how Larry & Sons can create HVAC zoning for increased comfort and energy efficiency.

Whether you want to supplement your existing heating and cooling system or replace it entirely, give Larry & Sons a call today at (301) 733-5428.

We service Hagerstown, Frederick, and the surrounding Maryland areas. We also service parts of West Virginia and Pennsylvania.

Common Air Conditioning Repair Problems

Posted on September 4, 2019May 5, 2023 by Larry & Sons

The Most Common AC Repair Issues

AC season isn’t over yet here in Frederick, MD, and if you never had that strange sound looked at from the end of last summer, or if you’re concerned that it needs professional attention, now is the time to get in touch with your local AC professional. When problems are neglected, they tend only to worsen. In this post, we’d like to examine a few common air conditioning repair problems, so that you can recognize the need for pro assistance when you see them. Call Larry & Sons today!

Not enough cooling: This is a common symptom that has numerous possible causes. There’s no quite telling what the root cause of it is without professional inspection. One common cause is an airflow issue, often caused by a clogged air filter. Remember to make sure your air filter is clean of debris about once a month during the cooling season. While it is intended to prevent the accumulation of dust and debris on your system components, when it gets clogged or becomes dirty, it can actually impede airflow and block the cool air that you need to stay comfortable.
Dirty coils: When your condenser coils get dirty, which can happen frequently because they are housed in the outdoor unit, it won’t be able to dissipate heat into the outside air. If this process is disrupted, the cycle will not be as efficient, and it may result in warmer air coming out of your ducts. A technician can ensure that all aspects of your AC are clean so that you can avoid any further disruptions.
Low refrigerant: When it was installed, your AC was “charged” with a set amount of refrigerant. Over time, however, you may have developed a leak in one of the coils, or the lineset that has resulted in low levels of refrigerant circulating through your system. This causes a wide variety of problems, including inadequate cooling and a lack of dehumidification.

Make sure you’re ready to go the rest of this season, and next summer. Call Larry & Sons for comprehensive air conditioning repair services in Frederick, MD if you’re concerned about your AC!

Tired of High Energy Bills? Try a Programmable Thermostat

Posted on June 8, 2017April 27, 2023 by Larry & Sons

When the mercury rises, you rely on your air conditioner to keep your family cool and comfortable. Unfortunately, using your air conditioner can really drive up your electric bill. If you are feeling tempted to swelter through the summer to save a few dollars, there is a better option. With a programmable thermostat from Larry & Sons, you can beat the heat without breaking your bank account.

How Programmable Thermostats Save Money

Even if you have installed a new air conditioner recently, you may not have thought about upgrading your thermostat. The thermostat itself doesn’t use much energy, so upgrading may not seem important. However, old manual thermostats lack features that allow you to reduce your energy consumption and lower you bills.

Programmable thermostats save money by allowing you to automatically adjust the temperature in your home throughout the day. While you are at work or asleep, you can set the temperature a few degrees higher to take some strain off your cooling system. Set it to a lower temperature shortly before you arrive home or wake up to enjoy a comfortable temperature while you are using your home. Adjusting the temperature by just 7 to 10 degrees could have a big impact on your electric bill.

Programmable Thermostat Installation in Fredrick

If you are ready to upgrade to a programmable thermostat or learn more about the benefits, we can help. For programmable thermostat installation in Fredrick and the surrounding areas, depend on the experts right here at Larry & Sons.

At Larry & Sons, we are always here to help you and your family stay cool and comfortable throughout the summer, and we can help you find solutions to make your cooling bills more manageable. To schedule an appointment with one of our expert technicians, please contact us today by calling 301-733-5428.

Tips for Upgrading your Air Conditioning Unit

Posted on July 20, 2016August 11, 2022 by Larry & Sons

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

865-977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Larry & Sons Shares Tips for Upgrading your Air Conditioning Unit

Leading Tri-State air conditioning, heating and plumbing company provides consumers with a guide to selecting the right HVAC system for their homes

HAGERSTOWN, MD. July 20, 2016 – Larry & Sons, Inc., a leading air conditioning, heating and plumbing company serving Hagerstown and Frederick, Maryland and surrounding counties since 1960, offers homeowners tips for upgrading their HVAC unit to reduce costs and gain greater efficiency.

Upgrading a home heating and air conditioning unit gives homeowners a chance to save money and control the temperature in their homes more efficiently. This can lead to significant savings when it comes to utility costs.”

To save energy and money, Corbett suggests an energy-efficient air conditioner to reduce the central air conditioner’s energy use. In an average air-conditioned home, air conditioning consumes more than 2,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity per year.

Here are some tips from Larry & Sons on things to consider if you are upgrading the central heating and air conditioning in your home:

Today’s best air conditioners use 30 to 50 percent less energy to produce the same amount of cooling as air conditioners made in the mid-1970s. Replacing it with a newer, more efficient model air conditioner can result in savings of 20 to 40 percent of cooling energy costs.

Proper sizing and installation are key elements to consider in determining an air conditioner efficiency. If the unit is too large, it will not adequately remove humidity. If it is too small, it will not be able to attain a comfortable temperature when it’s hottest outside. If the unit is not in an ideal location, if there is a lack of proper insulation or if there is flawed duct installation, the unit’s efficiency will be greatly diminished.

When buying an air conditioner, look for a model with high efficiency. Central air conditioners are rated according to their seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER). SEER indicates the relative amount of energy needed to provide a specific cooling output. Many older systems have SEER ratings of 6 or less.

The lifespan of a central air conditioner is generally 15 to 20 years. If the unit is older than that and being replaced, look for energy-efficient models that have the ENERGY STAR® These are 15 percent more efficient than standard models. New residential central air conditioner standards went into effect on January 1, 2015; see the efficiency standards for central air conditioners for details, and consider purchasing a system with a higher SEER than the minimum for greater savings.

Other features to look for when buying an air conditioner include:

A thermal expansion valve and a high-temperature rating (EER) greater than 11.6, for high-efficiency operation when the weather is at its hottest
A variable speed air handler for new ventilation systems
A unit that operates quietly
A fan-only switch, so you can use the unit for night-time ventilation to substantially reduce air-conditioning costs
A filter check light to remind you to check the filter after a predetermined number of operating hours
An automatic-delay fan switch to turn off the fan a few minutes after the compressor turns off.

For more tips on HVAC upgrades or to view the units and services that Larry & Sons offer, visit www.larryandsons.com.

About Larry & Sons, Inc.

Larry and Sons, Inc. has served Tri-State area homeowners since 1960. With experts for nearly any home service needed, Larry & Sons offers full-service plumbing for repair and installation of water heaters, sewer systems, drain services and water treatment systems. The company also has solutions for central heating and air conditioning, geothermal, or general indoor air quality control systems. The team at Larry and Sons, Inc. are licensed and trained to handle any job from leaky faucets and clogged drains to full remodels of bathrooms. For more information about Larry & Sons, Inc., visit https://larryandsons.com or call 301-733-5428.

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