NYC Metro Area’s HVACR Blog

Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC, Commercial Installations, Residential HVAC, Residential Installations

How Long Should an Air Conditioner Last?

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how long should an air conditioner last

With the hottest temperatures of the year staring us down, the last thing we need is a meltdown over an air conditioner breakdown. Home and business owners and facility and property managers across the NYC metropolitan area are keeping their fingers crossed that mature air conditioning systems make it through the summer. This tenuous situation can’t help beg the question, “How long should an air conditioner last?”

HVAC experts say an air conditioner should last about 15 to 20 years under normal conditions. However, many factors can reduce that life, including poor installation, operating conditions, system sizing, and neglected maintenance.

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Commercial HVAC, Commercial Refrigeration

New HVAC refrigerants: Could CO2 Replace R-22?

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Technician adding HVAC refrigerants to air conditioning unit

If you’ve been following our HVAC blog articles, you probably notice that they’re usually very practical. We offer guidance about issues that are on your mind and provide information that’s immediately helpful. Once in a while, though, we like to talk about something just because we think it’s interesting and enlightening. This blog about new HVAC refrigerants is one of those posts. We hope you’ll find it interesting and enlightening, too!

The true story behind HVAC refrigerants

Refrigeration was originally invented because we wanted to make our food last longer and prevent waste from spoilage. We learned that keeping it cool accomplished that goal. Isn’t it ironic that the chemical HVAC refrigerants we developed to chill our food (as well as cool our living and working spaces) are some of the worst contributors to the greenhouse effect and global warming? That’s right: as we chill our food to preserve it, we’re heating up our planet and destroying it.

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Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC, Commercial Installations

R22 Phased Out: The Timeline & Facts You Need to Know

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r22 phased out

If you are a facilities manager who has responsibility for older air conditioning systems, chances are you are alarmed by the news that R22 has been phased out. Does this mean you’ll need to replace a lot of expensive equipment? You’re probably also wondering about the R22 phase out schedule and how quickly you need to act.

In this article we’ll discuss the timeline for the R22 phase out to help you understand the urgency of the situation. Then we’ll discuss the options for facilities with R22 air conditioning equipment and some tips for making the best decision for your company.

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Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC, Commercial Installations, Residential HVAC, Residential Installations

When Does R22 Become Unavailable? Help For AC Equipment Owners

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when does r22 become illegalHave you been limping along with your older R22 air conditioner? Hoping to avoid replacing it during the high season? Especially if you know your unit has a refrigerant leak, you may be trying to decide how long you can get by before you’ll have to invest in a new system. An important factor in making that decision is answering the question: when is R22 no longer available?

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Commercial Refrigeration

Restaurants: How Do You Know If Your Refrigerator Is Leaking Freon?

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how do you know if your refrigerator is leaking freon

Signs of freon leak in a refrigerator: You might have a Freon leak if you notice a chemical smell, oil on the floor, or if the motor is running continuously. You can buy a leak detection kit, do it yourself with soapy water, or hire a professional.

Read on to explore these signs of Freon leak in refrigeration equipment in more detail.Read more 

Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC

The Secret to Getting Your Commercial HVAC Upgrades Approved

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hvac upgrades

As a facilities manager, you know proper facility management is sometimes a thankless job. That fact is never more apparent than when you’re trying to get HVAC upgrades approved.

A case in point: you devote significant attention to ensuring the building you manage is cool and comfortable in the summer and pleasantly warm in the winter. The trouble is, accolades seldom go out when the indoor climate is pleasant. Yet you’d hear about it quickly if your building was inundated with excessive heat and humidity because your HVAC system went on the blink.Read more 

Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC, Preventive Maintenance Agreements

HVAC Questions to Ask a Service Provider (and Answers You Should Hear)

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hvac questions

Do you trust your contractor to honestly answer your HVAC questions?

When you’re considering hiring a new HVAC service provider to install a new unit, do preventative maintenance, or fix broken equipment, we know you have questions. Over the years, we have figured out the HVAC questions people are thinking but feel uncomfortable asking. That may be because you don’t think you’ll get an truthful answer from a provider who just wants to sell you services.

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Commercial Air Conditioning, Commercial HVAC

Why is my AC making a loud noise?

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noisy air conditioner

Is your noisy air conditioner about to break down?

The cool air provided by your air conditioning system gives you welcome relief from the heat, but the noise coming from your air conditioner is quite another story. A noisy air conditioner that’s always been loud might not necessarily have a problem. However, if you’re hearing an unusual air conditioner noise like banging, buzzing, whistling, screeching or rattling, it can be a symptom of a system that’s struggling and headed for a breakdown.

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