Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Read the latest about Watkins and the HVAC industry

How to Prevent A/C Evaporator Coil From Leaking Freon

By David Watkins | April 19, 2024

Refrigerant, commonly referred to as Freon, is essential to the functioning of your air conditioning system. Your air conditioner pumps refrigerant around, absorbs heat from inside your home, and releases it outside to produce cold air. If your refrigerant levels are even slightly low, your home may…

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What Causes Refrigerant Leaks in Air Conditioners

By David Watkins | April 3, 2024

What causes a/c evaporator coils to leak? We have found this to be the most common problem plaguing air conditioners. To explain this, we first need to bust a common air conditioner myth.

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What Refrigerant is Used in Home A/C Units?

By David Watkins | March 25, 2024

Refrigerant is the lifeblood of your home’s air conditioning system. It circulates between your A/C’s indoor evaporator coil and the outdoor condenser coil, transferring heat energy. We think of an air conditioner as pumping cool air into our homes, but in reality, the job of the air…

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Cutaway view of Trane heat pump air conditioner showing spine fin condenser coil

Trane Aluminum Spine Fin Coils – Pros and Cons

By David Watkins | February 20, 2024

Trane All-Aluminum Spine Fin™ Coils The Trane Spine Fin™ condenser coil is a distinctive and patented technology used by Trane in their air conditioning and heat pump systems. This design is known for superior performance compared to traditional finned coils. Key features and benefits of the Spine…

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Watkins HVAC tech stands with new Trane XV20i heat pump after replacement job

Can I Replace Just My Air Conditioner Without Replacing My Furnace?

By David Watkins | February 9, 2024

Can I Replace the AC Unit Without Replacing the Furnace? It’s one of the most common questions we get in the HVAC world and we hear it phrased in a lot of different ways. Basically, the question is, “Can I replace my outdoor unit without having to…

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SEER2 EnergyGuide Air Conditioner Rating Label

What the New SEER2 Standards Mean for Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps In 2024

By David Watkins | February 7, 2024

What is SEER? What on Earth is SEER2, how is it different than the regular old SEER rating, and what does it mean for my cooling and heating system? The recent move to the SEER2 rating for air conditioning systems has left a lot of people scratching…

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Gas furnace heat exchanger safety check

Cracked Heat Exchangers

By David Watkins | December 2, 2023

Scam alert! Every heating season, we see heating contractors lying about cracked heat exchangers in an attempt to sell more furnaces. Learn about the causes of cracked heat exchangers and correct method to diagnose them.

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Danfoss thermal expansion valve TXV

Understanding the TXV

By David Watkins | October 2, 2023

The HVAC TXV (Thermal Expansion Valve). How it works and why it fails. When it comes to a heating & cooling system, there are many parts that work together to keep our homes comfortable. One of those critical components is the TXV, or Thermal Expansion Valve. Let’s…

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Top 10 Most Common HVAC Issues and How to Prevent Them

By David Watkins | April 16, 2023

A well-functioning HVAC system is essential for maintaining a comfortable and healthy living environment in your home. However, HVAC systems are complex and can experience various issues, leading to decreased performance, discomfort, or even costly repairs. In this article, we will discuss the top 10 most common…

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Replace install hvac heat pump air conditioner

Discovering Heat Pumps: Your Comprehensive Guide to Energy-Efficient Home Comfort

By David Watkins | April 2, 2023

Heat pumps offer an eco-friendly and energy-efficient heating and cooling solution for homeowners, with options such as air-source, ground-source, ductless, and hybrid systems. Even in northern climates like Ohio, they can lead to significant energy bill savings over time. Thorough research and a reputable contractor are essential for finding the ideal heat pump that meets your needs.. With the right system, you can enjoy a more energy-efficient, comfortable, and environmentally friendly home.

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