Frequently Asked Questions

At Modern Air & Refrigeration, we know you and your family need cool and clean air in your home. We understand how frustrating it can be to have a broken or inefficient HVAC system. That’s why the Sarasota and Bradenton community has trusted us for decades as their preferred air conditioning and refrigeration company.

We’re consistently rated 5 stars on Google and Facebook by our clients, because customer satisfaction is a priority to us. Owner Brett Allred is a second-generation HVAC expert, and learned the trade at a young age from his father. He was taught a strong work ethic, and to take care of each client like they’re family.

That’s why Modern Air won’t ever sell you something you don’t need, and we often end up fixing work done by other companies because it wasn’t done properly. 

We care about using our expertise to make sure your HVAC system is efficient and performing like it should.

Most HVAC systems last between 10 to 15 years. The life of an HVAC unit varies depending on how often it was maintained and serviced by qualified HVAC technicians. The location where it was installed is important too. HVACs are used year round in Florida and tend to take more of a beating. Because Sarasota and Bradenton are coastal environments, the salt in the air can also create more corrosion of machine parts. 

Other factors in the lifespan of an AC are the type of system it is, whether it’s the right size for the building it cools, and how it was installed. If the home’s windows and doors were left open regularly, the system will show age faster because it was forced to work harder than it was meant to.

Another thing to keep in mind when it comes to the life of an HVAC system—it’s vital that the company you hire for maintenance service knows what they are doing. Otherwise, they can damage your system and shorten its life. At Modern Air, we don’t take shortcuts when it comes to hiring qualified technicians and we continually train our employees on the latest technology.

The International Association of Certified Home Inspectors (InterNACHI) recommends changing HVAC filters at a minimum of every 90 days. At Modern Air & Refrigeration, we replace or clean air filters for our Comfort Club Maintenance program members regularly, as they’re often saturated in dust, dirt, animal hair, mold, and pollen. We not only want to prevent our customers from breathing that type of bacteria, but we also care about their HVAC systems lasting a long time! 

Keep in mind—if you have allergies, your filters should be changed more often. We recommend every 30 days.

This can cause major issues. If a filter is left in an HVAC system for longer than 90 days, it can lead to expensive repairs, and even system failure. Something as simple and preventable as a clogged filter can cause a lot of damage! 

Because air filters are built to catch particles and contaminants, these build up over time and create a barrier, blocking air flow. When air flow is stopped or severely limited, the HVAC system won’t be able to circulate air and cool the home or building properly, resulting in many issues.

Getting your air filter changed is easy with Modern Air’s Comfort Club maintenance program. You won’t have to worry about remembering; we’ll take care of it for you and make sure that correct, clean air filters for your HVAC system are installed at all times.

Regular tune-ups and inspections are vital to keep your HVAC system operating as it should be. This also helps prevent costly repairs down the road. Our highly trained technicians often catch small problems before they turn into big issues, and this helps save you money as well as extends the life of your machine. With our Comfort Club Membership maintenance program, you’ll get regular inspections and service on a set schedule that works for you.

The purpose of Modern Air’s maintenance program is to keep your machine running like it should. Without the expertise of our technicians reviewing, testing, and evaluating your equipment on a regular basis, it’s easy to miss warning signs. It’s also important to have scheduled maintenance to keep your HVAC system operating at an optimum level. Another bonus to our maintenance plan? It ensures your equipment is efficient, which helps keep your energy bills low.

Noise coming from your AC system is a sign you need a repair or maybe even a new HVAC installation. 

Check out our Air Conditioning Repair and Installation pages, and contact a Modern Air specialist to come out to your home and investigate. We’re always here for you, to help get your problem solved!

Some of the most common HVAC problems we fix are: incorrect thermostat settings, replacing dirty and clogged air filters, ice buildup in an AC unit, loud noises, and finding the source of an HVAC cooling problem. We also often find we need to fix HVAC repairs that were done improperly by inexperienced technicians.

This can be caused by a lot of factors. A big one is the age of your HVAC system, and how well it was maintained. If it’s past its prime, your system may be overworking to keep your home cool, and using up a lot more electricity as a result.

Some other causes of increasing energy bills are disconnected ducts, or an incorrectly wired thermostat (often from DIY jobs or inexperienced technicians).

Yes, and here’s why: the indoor and outdoor units are joined with insulated lines. These lines distribute Freon (a refrigerant). 

Indoor and outdoor units are built to work together. When only one system is replaced, performance can be negatively affected. Though unmatched indoor and outdoor units will still work, you risk dependability of both units when they are not properly matched. You also increase the likelihood that your unmatched system will be inefficient and this will increase your energy costs. 

Though purchasing an entirely new HVAC system is an investment, it will save you money in the long run. Newer HVAC systems are quieter, better at filtering contaminants, and significantly outperform units even just a few years older. The technology they run on is also superior and easier to manage. 

If you’re worried about the cost of purchasing both an indoor and outdoor unit, check out Modern Air’s simple financing program.

It depends on how old your HVAC system is. Even though most air conditioners last 10-15 years, replacing a 10-15 year old system can save you 20 to 40 percent of your energy costs (Energy.gov). As HVAC systems reach the mid-life point, many become inefficient. 

The key to making sure your next AC system lowers your energy costs? Make sure to purchase an energy efficient system, and have an experienced HVAC expert install it. Modern Air & Refrigeration will make sure that your system is the correct size for your home, that ducts are installed properly with no kinks or bends, and that there’s no leakage so air is flowing properly throughout the system.

Mini-splits are great for smaller homes, Airbnbs, VRBOs, garages, Florida rooms, and tiny houses. They’re built to cool smaller spaces and work without the use of air ducts. 

Mini-Split air handlers are mounted on a wall inside the home and the compressor and condenser unit is installed outside. The two systems are linked with refrigerant lines.

These small ductless AC units are highly efficient, eco-friendly, and a perfect low-cost option for smaller square-foot spaces.

When your HVAC system is properly maintained on a set schedule, it will last longer and you’ll avoid expensive repairs. To do that, you need expert HVAC-trained technicians who will inspect and regularly service your air conditioner equipment. Rather than paying for separate service calls and maintenance, the lowest-cost option to keep your HVAC running smoothly is with our Comfort Club Membership maintenance program.

Check the vent covers in your home and return air registers for any dust, dirt buildup, pet hair, or matted debris. Sometimes you may even see a puff of dust near your vents when your system turns on. You can also check your air filters. If they’re covered in clumps of dust, pet hair, and dirt, that means the air you’re breathing is going through all those contaminants. These are all telltale signs it’s time to have Modern Air come look at your system.

A recent study showed that more than 99.9% of seasonal coronaviruses in the form of air droplets exposed to UV light were killed. 

Modern Air uses the most reliable and trusted brands of UV light purifiers in our clients’ AC systems. This means you can relax knowing that not only mold, mildew, and bacteria are destroyed by UV light, but also the majority of contagious germs from COVID-19 and related viruses.

Signing up for our Comfort Club maintenance plan not only will save you thousands of dollars in potential repairs, but you’ll also save the time and hassle of having to remember to schedule regular maintenance for your HVAC system.

As we mentioned above, our Comfort Club membership also extends the life of your air conditioner system through regular service and preventative care.

We often have positions open for talented, hardworking people who love serving our community with excellent HVAC service and installation.

Visit our hiring page and apply today!