When you’re comparing bids for a new system or scheduling maintenance, the details matter. A professional quote should do more than list a price but should explain what’s being inspected, what’s being replaced, and what could affect performance long after the job is done. Homeowners often focus on equipment brand and tonnage, but comfort problems in Florida are just as often tied to airflow, installation quality, and drainage.
Asking the right questions helps you avoid repeat visits, premature failures, and unexpected add-ons. If you’re calling for AC repair, use this checklist to make sure you’re getting a complete evaluation, not just a quick estimate.
Poulin Cooling provides air conditioning and refrigeration repair services in the Clearwater area, with a focus on educating customers so they can make informed decisions.
1) “Is my ductwork the right size for this system?”
Your ducts are the delivery system for your air conditioner. Even the best equipment will struggle if supply and return ducts are undersized, leaking, or poorly balanced.
What you want the contractor to verify:
- Supply duct sizing for each room (airflow needs vary by room)
- Return duct sizing (too small = poor airflow and noisy operation)
- Airflow restrictions at grills, filters, or flex duct runs
- Duct leakage or disconnected runs in attic spaces
Why it matters: Improper ducting can lead to hot spots, high humidity, noisy operation, and higher energy bills. A solid quote should include duct evaluation, not just equipment replacement.
2) “Are my copper line sets the right size, and will you clean or replace them?”
The copper line set (suction and liquid lines) connects the indoor and outdoor components. If it’s the wrong size or contaminated, it can reduce efficiency and shorten compressor life.
Ask specifically:
- Are the line set sizes correct for the system capacity and manufacturer specs?
- Will you flush/clean the lines if reusing them?
- If changing refrigerant types, will you replace the line set?
Why it matters: An incorrect or dirty line set can cause oil contamination, pressure issues, and long-term reliability problems that show up after the install.
3) “Are you licensed, insured, and pulling a permit?”
This question protects you. Licensed and insured contractors reduce liability risk, and permits help ensure the work meets code and manufacturer requirements.
What to confirm:
- State license number (Poulin Cooling lists license #CAC1819909).
- Proof of insurance
- Whether a permit is required for the scope of work, and who pulls it
Permits help protect resale value, confirm code compliance, and may be required for warranties in certain situations.
4) “What are my refrigerant levels and what does that indicate?”
Refrigerant isn’t something that “gets used up.” If levels are low, there’s usually a leak or another problem that needs to be addressed.
An experienced contractor will explain:
- What the measured pressures and superheat/subcool readings indicate
- Whether low refrigerant suggests a leak
- If leak detection is recommended before simply “topping off”
Adding refrigerant without diagnosing the cause can lead to repeated failures and higher long-term costs, especially if you call for AC repair multiple times in a season.
5) “Did you inspect the drain pan and overflow protection?”
In Florida, drain issues are a top cause of ceiling stains, shutdowns, and emergency calls. A maintenance visit or quote should include drain pan inspection.
Specifically ask:
- Did you check the primary drain pan condition?
- Is there rust, cracking, or standing water?
- Is an overflow switch present and functional?
A damaged pan or failed safety switch can cause water damage quickly. A strong preventive approach reduces emergency breakdowns.
6) “Did you clean the condensate drain line?”
Clogged drain lines are common in humid climates. Algae buildup can block drainage and trigger shutdowns.
Confirm the service includes:
- Clearing and flushing the drain line
- Checking slope and drainage path
- Verifying proper flow outside the home
Drain clogs can look like “the AC stopped working,” but the real issue is water backing up into the system. Regular maintenance prevents surprise shutdowns.
7) “How is the coil condition and did you inspect it?”
Coils affect heat transfer. Dirty evaporator coils reduce cooling, raise energy costs, and can contribute to icing.
Ask for details:
- Was the evaporator coil inspected (not just guessed)?
- Is there visible buildup or restricted airflow?
- Was the condenser coil cleaned or evaluated for blockage?
Coil condition is directly tied to performance. If your system struggles or freezes up, coil inspection is a core step in proper AC repair diagnostics.
If you want our technicians to provide an unbiased assessment of your HVAC system, visit our website to schedule a Free Second Opinion.
Quick checklist you can keep on your phone
Before approving a quote or maintenance plan, ask for clear answers to these seven points:
- Duct sizing: supply and return evaluated
- Line sets: correct sizes + cleaned or replaced
- License/insurance/permit: verified and documented
- Refrigerant levels: measured + explained (not “topped off”)
- Drain pan: inspected + overflow protection checked
- Drain line: cleaned and verified flowing
- Coils: inspected and addressed as needed
A trustworthy company will welcome these questions and explain findings in plain language.
Want help with this? Contact Poulin Cooling
If you’re comparing quotes, planning maintenance, or dealing with an urgent issue, Poulin Cooling provides professional AC repair and refrigeration repair services in the Clearwater area. You can schedule service or request an estimate through our Contact Page.
Call us now at (727) 252-9602
