Is It Time for an Air Conditioning Replacement?

You rely on your air conditioner to take care of you and your loved ones when the temperatures are just too much to bear by providing you with cool air when you need it most. Summers are especially toasty, and it’s important that you keep cool and comfortable all the time.

But after many years of working tirelessly to help you maintain a comfortable temperature, your air conditioner is exhausted. It’s possible that it may just need some serious TLC, but there’s also a good chance that you’re in need of an air conditioning replacement.

Air Conditioning Replacement

3 Signs and Symptoms That You Need an Air Conditioning Replacement

1. Age of Your Air Conditioner

Nothing lasts forever, not even an plumbing or air conditioning. If you’re lucky, though, you’ll only have to replace your air conditioner a few times in your life. If your air conditioner or heat pump is older than 10 years, put some serious consideration into having it replaced. Call Larry & Sons today for the most energy-efficient air conditioning replacement options available to you.

It’s been a good run so far, but using an old air conditioner could be costing you more than you think. Replace your old, inefficient air conditioner with a new, energy efficient unit and save up to 20 percent on your cooling costs! Replacing your air conditioner might seem like a daunting and expensive venture, but you’ll notice a decrease in costs and an increase in how comfortable you are.

2. Frequent A/C Repairs

If you’re having to call a technician out frequently for air conditioner repair in Frederick MD, you’ll want to look at the benefits of having it replaced. Don’t take this the wrong way, we love repeat customers, but we care more about saving you money and helping you maintain a comfortable home – in the most efficient way possible.

We hate to see customers constantly drop their hard earned dollars on air conditioning repairs. You’ll find that replacing your current air conditioner with a new Energy Star model will diminish repairs and lower your utility costs!

While an air conditioning replacement will more money upfront, you’ll soon discover that the money you save on frequent repairs and utility costs will actually cover the cost of that installation!

3. Uneven Temperatures

It’s all about a healthy, balanced flow. If one room in your home is consistently hotter or colder than other rooms, have a professional come out and inspect the situation. In some cases, a replacement won’t be required, however, it’s important to address the issue promptly to diagnose the underlying cause.

Uneven heating or cooling is usually due to improper equipment operation, duct problems, or poor insulation. Have a professional inspect the situation to determine what steps you should take in moving forward.

Another thing you can do is use EnergyStar’s HOME ENERGY YARDSTICK tool. If your score is below 5, that means that your home is not very energy efficient and you could probably benefit from an air conditioning replacement and/or other home upgrades.

If you have answered YES to any of the above 3 signs and symptoms, now is the best time for Maryland homeowners to replace their HVAC system.

We are currently offering a HUGE Air Conditioning Replacement Promotion:

air conditioning replacement promotion


At Larry & Sons, we’re equipped to handle all your HVAC problems, no matter how simple or complicated. When you need an air conditioning expert, give us a call.

You can reach us online or at 301-733-5428.

You can also keep in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

Troubleshoot Air Conditioning Problems

The last thing you want to happen on a hot summer day is for your air conditioning to stop working properly. We’ve all been there a time or two. It’s as if your air conditioner is fighting against you, purposely malfunctioning on the hottest day yet, just to get a good laugh. Learn how to troubleshoot air conditioning problems before they become problems!

DIY troubleshooting air conditioning

We’ve put together a list of several of the most common air conditioning problems and how to troubleshoot them. Some of these should by default be left to a certified technician, and we’ll be sure to let you know which ones.

Should you experience any trouble while attempting to troubleshoot air conditioning problems or don’t feel comfortable working on your unit altogether, leave the work to a licensed, trained HVAC professional as you wouldn’t want to cause any further damage to your system.

How to Troubleshoot Air Conditioning Problems

1. Faulty Installation/Improper Sizing

Proper sizing and a precise installation is of the utmost importance when it comes to installing an HVAC unit. A possible indication that your unit wasn’t installed correctly is if it short cycles or if your home never feels cool enough.

If this is the case, have an expert inspect the entire system and ensure that your unit is cooling efficiently. The size of your unit is dependent on the square footage of your home that needs cooling. To give you a better indication, Energy Star has put together a A/C Sizing Chart:

troubleshooting air conditioning problems

2. Low on Refrigerant

If your unit is low on refrigerant, it means that it was improperly charged or you have a leak. In both cases, it’s imperative that you call a technician as soon as possible to inspect the issue, making any necessary repairs and/or charging the system correctly.

It is not as simple as adding more Freon; if your have a leak, you need to schedule air conditioner repair immediately. Beware of HVAC companies that only refill your refrigerant without addressing the underlying leak problem.

3. Inadequate Maintenance

How well your HVAC unit functions is entirely dependent on how often you schedule professional maintenance. You wouldn’t neglect your car for years on end, so why neglect your HVAC unit? Much like your car, your HVAC unit has numerous parts and components that need cleaning and adjusting annually so that it can operate at maximum efficiency.

Life is often fast paced, with work and/or classes, having to take care of the kids and keep the house clean, prepare dinner, etc. It seems like sometimes there isn’t a moment to spare. Scheduling a tune-up for your unit is the last thing on your mind right now.

The easiest solution is to join a maintenance program; that way, it isn’t your job to remember to schedule your appointment! They’ll do it for you at your easiest convenience.

Call Larry & Sons now to talk to someone about joining our HVAC maintenance program! We’re here to make life just a little bit easier – and ensure comfort.

4. Poor Airflow

If your home isn’t as cool as you’d like to be, there are a few things you can do before calling in an expert. Put it on your chore list to vacuum vents regularly as this will cleanse your vents of all the dirt and debris that could be blocking airflow. Clear away anything that could be blocking airflow, such as furniture, rugs, drapes, etc.

If you really want to improve indoor air quality and home energy efficiency, your best bet is to have your air ducts professionally cleaned every 5-7 years.

5. Change Your Air Filter

One of the most important things you can do to ensure proper airflow is by changing the air filters regularly. While our technicians can change your air filter when performing maintenance, that’s just twice a year.

troubleshoot air conditioning air filter

On average, you should change your filters every 1-3 months to ensure a healthy flow. Forgoing changing the air filter will lead to poor indoor air quality, uneven heating and cooling, short cycling, strain on your system, and a buildup of dust and dirt on your HVAC fan blades and around vents. Put reminders in your phone and calendar so you never forget.

We recommend using HEPA (high-efficiency particulate arrestance) filters. Although they cost more, they do a better job of filtering your indoor air and last a lot longer,


At Larry & Sons, we want our customer to get a refreshing respite from summer’s blistering heat. If you find yourself without cool air and can’t seem to tackle the problem, big or small, give us a call at 301-733-5428.

You can also keep in touch with us on Facebook, Twitter, and Google+!