The $5000 Rule in HVAC Is Outdated: Why Kansas City Homeowners Should Consider the $12,000 Rule

September 15, 2026

A practical repair-or-replace guide from Summit Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing Quick answer: The traditional $5,000 rule in HVAC says to multiply your equipment’s age by the proposed repair cost. If the result is more than $5,000, consider replacement; if it is less, repair may make sense. Summit Heating, Cooling, & Plumbing believes the formula is still useful, but the threshold no longer reflects today’s HVAC repair costs or equipment and installation costs for new equipment. For many Kansas City homeowners, a $12,000 rule is a more realistic starting point—not an automatic verdict. When your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump...

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Why Is There Ice on My AC?

July 10, 2026

If you notice ice forming anywhere on your air conditioner or on the refrigerant lines connecting your system to your home, go to the thermostat and turn the system OFF and the fan to ON. Like, right now. I’ll wait. Once the system is off and no longer running, you can safely let it thaw while you understand what may be going on. Why Is My AC Freezing Up? Ice on an HVAC system is always a sign that something is not working correctly. A properly functioning air conditioner should never freeze during normal operation. Even if it still appears...

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Why Is There a Shortage of the New Refrigerant (R454B)?

July 3, 2025

The HVAC industry has had many new regulations recently and a short review of this history might help understand the current situation. In 2019, manufacturers were no longer able to produce residential furnaces that had traditional AC powered PSC blower motors, favoring instead the more efficient DC powered ones. In 2020 we saw the end of production of R22 refrigerant and the beginning of the reduction in production of R410A. The M1 Efficiency Increase came in 2023, and now in 2025 we have begun the A2L refrigerant transition. This transition marks the end of production of all residential R410A equipment....

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How Soon Should I Replace My Air Conditioner: r410a Phase Out

January 30, 2024

Updated August 25, 2025 There are a lot of questions surrounding the EPA’s restriction on equipment produced with r410a refrigerant and the refrigerants’ phase-out. These questions are leading to uncertainty for homeowners with borderline HVAC systems over whether they should replace their equipment now or wait for the new refrigerant to be produced. Why are they changing refrigerants? Let’s start with why the change is being mandated. R22 was the standard for decades, but it uses chemicals called hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) that when heated by the sun release chlorine. The chlorine atoms bond with ozone and break down the ozone layer....

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Why is the SEER Rating Important to My HVAC System?

July 13, 2022

If you’re considering replacing your existing HVAC system any time soon, you’ll no doubt see SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) ratings come up at some point in your search for the right system. You may already know that the SEER rating is associated with the energy efficiency of an air conditioner or heat pump. What you may not know exactly how this affects your energy costs and the performance of an HVAC system. In this article, we’ll take a look at what SEER ratings are, what they mean, and how they can affect your decision when choosing a new HVAC...

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Spring Maintenance Tips

April 20, 2022

Longer days, bees buzzing, flowers blooming… all signs that spring is here. What spring is complete without a spring-cleaning list? Donate clothes, organize the garage, and clear out the pantry. We change burned-out lightbulbs and check our smoke and CO detectors, but what about your air conditioner? It should definitely make the to-do list. Maintenance for your air conditioner is more than a tune-up. A thorough maintenance is a multi-point process. A certified technician will check your AC’s electrical and controls systems and refrigeration. They will also clean the physical unit, including the coils and outdoor cabinet. While we might...

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Can a Mini-Split System Heat and Cool Simultaneously?

March 16, 2022

Updated April 23, 2024 A Ductless Mini-Split system is a great way to heat and cool a home when a traditional HVAC system isn’t the right option. If you have an older home that didn’t originally include central air conditioning, it’s often cost-prohibitive or impractical to install ductwork. If you’re renting or leasing, you also might not be able to replace the existing system. is the go-to HVAC for Mini-Split installation in Kansas City, MO. A mini-split system also offers the convenience of zoned temperature control. Here’s a look at how ductless mini-split systems work and why they’re a great...

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8 Benefits of Insulating Your Home

August 19, 2021

Most homeowners lose too much heating and cooling energy due to poor insulation. Heat naturally moves from warm to cold regions, which can make your indoor temperature unbearable. Luckily you can use insulation to fill gaps in your house and slow down the airflow. Here are some benefits of a properly insulated house. 1. Saves on Energy Inadequate insulation allows the conditioned air to seep out of the house and lets in outdoor air. This increases the volume of air that your HVAC unit will need to cool or heat, resulting in more energy consumption. Adding a layer of insulation...

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Hot as Hell on your 2nd Story? How to Cool Your Upstairs Area

July 19, 2021

If it has begun to feel as though the second story of your home is comparable to the Sahara Desert, it may be time to investigate various options for providing more cooling comfort. With different options available, such as variable speed, mini-splits, and different zoning, it can be confusing to determine the best option for providing maximum cooling efficiency throughout your home. Below, we examine common options to assist you in determining the most effective way to cool down your second story. Variable Speed Although the term variable speed is used commonly, what it is actually referring to is the...

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Planning for Your HVAC Service Visit

September 14, 2019

It’s that time of year when we say goodbye to one season and hello to another. Your HVAC system will need some closure to prepare as well. Getting a tune-up and maintenance visit will help your system perform the way it should all season long. Here are some tips to improve your HVAC appointment and potentially reduce your energy bills. 1. Change Air Filters on Time We’ll take care of the lubrication, testing, safety, and environmental tasks. Replacing the air filter will help you significantly if you change it monthly. Many of our customers mark it on the calendar, and...

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