Air Conditioning Repair, Replacement, and Maintenance
Air Conditioning Repair
An air conditioner that is not cooling properly wastes electricity and puts unnecessary strain on every component in the system. The longer a struggling unit runs, the more likely a minor issue becomes a major failure. Full Nelson diagnoses AC problems accurately and completes repairs that address the root cause.
AC maintenance tasks include:
Refrigerant leaks
Low refrigerant reduces cooling capacity and causes the evaporator coil to freeze. The system runs longer, produces less cool air, and the compressor can overheat. Refrigerant leaks must be located and repaired before the system is recharged.
Compressor failure
The compressor pumps refrigerant between the indoor and outdoor coils. Electrical failures, overheating, and refrigerant issues can all damage the compressor. A failed compressor often means the system produces no cooling at all.
Capacitor failure
Start and run capacitors provide the electrical boost that motors need to start and continue running. A failing capacitor causes the outdoor fan or compressor to struggle on startup, hum without starting, or shut down intermittently.
Frozen evaporator coil
Restricted airflow from a dirty filter, closed vents, or a blower motor problem can cause the evaporator coil to ice over. Low refrigerant produces the same result. Ice on the coil blocks heat transfer and reduces cooling output to nearly zero.
Contactor wear
The contactor is an electrical switch that sends power to the compressor and condenser fan. Pitted or burned contacts cause intermittent operation or prevent the outdoor unit from starting.
Condensate drain blockage
The evaporator coil produces condensation that drains through a line to the outside or to a floor drain. Algae and debris clog this line over time, causing water to back up into the drain pan and potentially overflow into the ceiling or furnace cabinet.
Full Nelson technicians carry common AC repair parts on service vehicles and complete most repairs in a single visit.
Air Conditioning Replacement and Installation
Air conditioning systems typically last 15 to 20 years with proper maintenance. As a system ages, repair frequency increases and efficiency drops. When repair costs begin approaching the value of the remaining equipment life, replacement becomes the better investment.
Signs that AC replacement may be the right decision:
- The system is more than 15 years old and requires frequent repairs
- Energy bills have increased without a change in usage patterns
- The system uses R-22 refrigerant, which is no longer manufactured and increasingly expensive
- Cooling is uneven throughout the house despite adequate ductwork
- The compressor has failed on a system that is already past its expected lifespan
-
System Sizing
Proper sizing is the most important factor in a new AC installation. An oversized system cools the house quickly but cycles off before removing enough humidity, leaving the air cold but clammy. An undersized system runs continuously without reaching the set temperature, driving up energy costs and wearing out components prematurely.
Full Nelson performs a load calculation that accounts for square footage, insulation levels, window area and orientation, ceiling height, ductwork condition, and number of occupants. The result determines the correct tonnage and SEER rating for your home.
-
SEER Ratings
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) measures how efficiently an air conditioner converts electricity into cooling output over a typical cooling season. Higher SEER ratings mean lower operating costs. Current federal minimum standards require 15 SEER for new equipment in the northern region, which includes Kansas and Missouri. High-efficiency models range from 16 to 25+ SEER.
The difference between a 14 SEER system and an 18 SEER system can amount to hundreds of dollars in annual energy savings, depending on usage. Full Nelson helps you weigh the upfront equipment cost against the long-term operating savings to find the right balance for your budget.
-
Installation Process
A proper AC installation involves more than swapping equipment. Full Nelson evaluates the existing ductwork, electrical connections, refrigerant line set, and condensate drainage before installing new equipment. We verify airflow across the evaporator coil, check refrigerant charge, test all electrical connections, and confirm the system cycles correctly at the thermostat.
Air Conditioning Maintenance
AC maintenance tasks include:
- Inspecting and replacing the air filter
- Cleaning the condenser coil on the outdoor unit
- Inspecting the evaporator coil
- Checking refrigerant levels and testing for leaks
- Testing capacitors, contactors, and electrical connections
- Clearing the condensate drain line
- Verifying thermostat calibration and system cycling
- Inspecting belts, bearings, and blower motor operation
Annual maintenance before the cooling season starts helps prevent mid-summer breakdowns when HVAC companies are busiest and wait times are longest.
Types of Air Conditioning Systems
Full Nelson services and installs several types of cooling systems.
- Central air conditioning: The most common residential system. An outdoor condensing unit and an indoor evaporator coil work together, using ductwork to distribute cooled air throughout the home.
- Heat pumps: A heat pump provides both cooling and heating from one system. In cooling mode, it operates identically to a central air conditioner. In heating mode, it reverses the refrigerant cycle to extract heat from outdoor air and move it inside. Heat pumps are covered in detail on our heating page.
- Ductless mini splits: Mini split systems deliver cooling and heating to individual zones without ductwork. Covered in detail on our mini split page.
Why Full Nelson
- Family, Women, and Veteran owned since 2003
- HVAC division built on a proven 25-year Kansas City HVAC company acquisition
- Licensed, insured HVAC technicians
- Up-front pricing before work begins
- All makes and models serviced
- 24/7 emergency AC service
- Total Home Care Club members receive priority scheduling, 10% discount, and annual cooling checkups