Where Does Air Conditioner Water Come From
I bet when you have taken a look at your indoor air conditioner that you may have noticed that there was water dripping. First time most people notice this they immediately think something is wrong, but rest-a-sure that this is completely normal. Have you ever gotten a bottle of water out from the fridge and set it down, and usually within a few minutes you start seeing water collecting on the outside of the bottle, which is known as condensation. This is basically what happens to the indoor air conditioning unit. The way our bodies work to cool us down is by sweating, and when the sweat evaporates, it takes the heat along with it. The only bad thing is that if the moisture in the air is really high our sweat will not evaporate, which makes it very difficult to cool down. Refrigerant that is used by your air conditioning system is what is used to give the cooling effect in your home. What it does is once the air in the home is sucked out of the room; the refrigerant pulls the heat from the air which all of that is pushed through to the outdoor unit. There, the heat is released and the now cooled air is pushed back into the home and out into the rooms through the registers and vents. With the indoor unit, when that air hits the evaporator and the refrigerant, the moisture that is in the air itself gets condensed. It then drips into the drain that is in the AC unit. The amount of liquid that gets condensed in the evaporator varies. This is due to how humid each day is, and we all know here in Houston it stays pretty humid quite often, especially in […]
When My Air Conditioner System is on it Smells
We all know how hot and humid the summers in Houston, Texas can be. Being without air conditioning can be a major nightmare, but having an AC unit that also tends to have a funky smell to it definitely is not a plus either. When you crank on your AC you should get that relief from the heat feeling refreshed, but getting smacked with this real foul, majorly stinky smell coming from your vents definitely does not give you that refresh and relief feeling. If you do find that you have a foul smell coming from your registers or vents, it is best to see about getting that fixed as soon as possible. Not only is the smell difficult to deal with, but it can also end up being hazardous for you and your family. There are a few reasons that could cause your AC unit to be blowing out that foul smelling air: If your drip pan is clogged – Mildew can grow if this drip pan has been moved, filling up too fast, or is clogged. If the clog can be seen, you more than likely can unclog it on your own, but if you cannot, it will more than likely need the assistance of a HVAC specialist. If your filters are clogged or dirty – Your air filters are built to catch dust, dirt, debris, and much more. If they are expose to too much moisture or the tiny, organic particles that it catches can accelerate their mildew growth if exposed to moisture. This you can handle yourself by changing out the filter. If there is moisture in your ductwork – Ductwork is what the maze of tunnels coming from your outdoor AC unit that delivers the cooled air to each room through registers […]
Why AC Unit Leaks Water
When your air conditioner unit goes down for any reason, there is absolute frustration. Especially if it is the middle of the hot and humid summer here in Houston, Texas, but the frustration level can be even higher if you find that there is a leak of some kind, like one that involves water. The indoor part of your AC unit is usually the one that a water leak can happen. They can be rather messy and could even cause significant water damage to your home. This type of issue can also lead to more serious problems down the road if they are not addressed. There are some common causes that can lead to water leaks: Condensate Pump Issues – If your condensate pump is dirty or malfunctioning in some way, this can cause your AC unit to have a water leak and could potentially flood the area this part of the unit is located in. If there is a continual leak that is not fixed, potential mildew and mold can grow and cause it to clog. Drain Line is Clogged – Having your condensate drain pipe clogged can cause overflow in your drain pan. This is the most common of causes for water leaks and tends to be the reason for many service calls during those high summer temperatures. Dirt, debris, algae, and more can be the cause to clog this drain line. Drain Line is Disconnected – If you find that the drain pipes were improperly installed, the fittings may not be secure on the pipes. As time goes on, these fittings can loosen and cause the drain pipe to disconnect from the AC completely and cause it to drain somewhere else like your floor or ceiling. There is a primary and secondary drain pipe, so […]
Why AC Unit Fan Is Not Working
During the hot and humid months in Houston, Texas having an air conditioner system that is functioning properly is one of the most important things needed to keep you and your family comfortable. So when your AC fan suddenly quits working, one of your worst nightmares has come true. For a central air conditioning unit there are two units that make up the entire system. One is an indoor unit that contains the evaporator coil that pulls the heat from inside your home. The other is an outdoor unit that contains the condenser that releases the heat that was absorbed and sends back into the house the newly cooled air. There are some common reasons as to why your one or both fans are not operating: Burnt Out Motor – It is completely nature for the fan motors to go through lots and wear and tear, but under too much stress they can burn out. If your AC unit is not properly maintained, then it is much more likely that this can happen. Having a bad fan motor can is something that is needed to be fixed by a trusted HVAC specialist like Autumn Mechanical, or if it is not able to be fixed then a replacement would be needed. Air Filter Is Blocked – With your indoor fan, if you air filter is really clogged, it will still be working properly, but the air that is attempted to be blown out can’t. In other words, you will not feel that air blowing into your home, be sure to check your air filter and either clean it or replace it. Capacitor Issues – The capacitor is what provides the power to your air conditioner’s fans by storing up the energy. There are many reasons why your […]
Which AC Unit Is The Quietest?
When those hot and humid summer months hit in Houston, Texas it is always important to make sure that you and your family are comfortable in your home. So if you are needing to replace your old system with a new air conditioning system or just recently finished building a new home and need to decide on an AC, finding the right one that fits your home is important. There are a lot of things that need to be considered when comparing different AC units. The number one is making sure that it properly cools your home which is followed closely by it being energy efficient. Saving on your energy bill is a major plus with purchasing a new unit, which goes hand in hand with having a quiet system. Having an air conditioner that is quiet is a major bonus, especially if you are a light sleeper or having children that are. Though I do not think that most anyone would prefer a unit that makes a lot of racket if given the choice. There are numerous ways that air conditioning units are compared, which most charts you will find contain things such as BTUs and SEER but the rating you are looking for a dB, which stands for decibel. This is the sound rating. You will want to find the lowest number, as the lower the number the quieter the unit will be. As of last year in 2015, the two AC systems that had the lowest dB rating of 55 were Trane XV18 and American Standard Platinum CX25. Currently, the lowest range right now is 55-60 dB, though that could change in the future. Keep in mind that if you are wishing for the quietest air conditioner, you will need to expect […]
When My Air Conditioner Is On It Smells
Living in Houston, Texas during its hot and humid summers can sometimes feel unbearable, so making sure to have a fully functional air conditioning system is utmost important for you and your family’s comfort in your home. That being said, having a AC that is working but when it runs you have this foul smell running through your home can be majorly frustrating, and not to mention just gross. One of the things that you should feel when your AC unit is working and bring cool air into your home is being refreshed and relieved of the heat outside. But if you have this foul smell running through your home along with the cool air, you are not feeling very refresh or relieved anymore. If this foul and strange smell is floating through you home, it is important to find out just why there is a smell and how to fix it. If you neglect to, it could become hazardous in various ways for you and your family. Here are some things to check that are common reasons why you may be getting that foul smell: Having Moisture in You Ductwork – Ductwork is what the outdoor AC unit pushes the newly cooled air through to bring it back into your home. These are tunnel like and are connected to your vents and registers where the cool air blows out. If your AC is not properly removing the moisture from the air, it can collect in the ductwork and cause mildew to start growing. Also, mildew can grow if the ducts were not properly sealed. Internal Problems – If there are issues inside your air conditioner such as parts being dirty or has mildew growth on it can cause that smell. Clogged Drip Pan – If you […]
What Happens When The AC Unit Is Low On Freon?
It is summertime in Houston, Texas area and having an air conditioning unit that keeps you and your family nice and cool is a big necessity. So when you notice that your AC system is either acting strange or not functioning to its full potential, then one possible issue could be that your Freon is low. Freon, which is the refrigerant that helps your entire AC function is the blood of the machine. This refrigerant is in charge of cooling your home by absorbing the heat out of the air inside your home. Which means that if it is low, then your unit will not properly cool your home. If your Freon is low, it is a major problem because it can cause some serious damage to your air conditioner if it is not recharged. There are some signs that you can keep an eye out for that can alert you to the possibility. If you notice that the air that is blowing out of your vents or registers is lukewarm or even warm. Your energy bills are much higher than they normally are during this time of year. This is because your AC unit will run for longer periods of time to try and cool your home to the temperature set by your thermostat. You hear bubbling or hissing sounds which means that there is a leak. A refrigerant leak is pretty much the only way you can end up being low on Freon. Which when it escapes through the leak, it will make that bubbling or hissing noise. If your notice that it is taking longer and longer for your home to cool down could be a sign that the Freon is low. Since Freon is in charge of absorbing the heat from […]
How Often Do You Need To Get AC Tune-Ups?
When living in Houston, Texas we pretty much deal with heat nearly year round. Turning our furnaces on during our “winter” time is rare in itself, which means we usually tend to run our air conditioning systems much more than not. With this being said, taking proper care of our AC is very important. Part of taking care of these AC units is making sure to do our own maintenance as well as to have that annual tune-up schedule in early spring to prepare the AC for the hot and humid summer months. Now when you hear about giving your AC system a tune-up, one of the first questions that pops into your head is when and how often are you supposed to have these tune-ups done? It is always important to take care of all your possessions, and that also includes your AC unit as well. With the cost to purchase and install these units, it is important to stay on top of the maintenance and have it done properly to help keep it running to its full lifespan. If neglected, the air conditioner will eventually give out, and much quicker than the promised lifespan. AC tune-ups, as known as preventative maintenance helps make sure that any potential problems are solved before repairs are needed, as well as making sure that your system is running at its full potential. These tune-ups are generally only needed once a year, which is what most warranties require in order to keep it from becoming void. Having a tune-up done regularly, meaning annually, can end up being a big money saver in the long run. As well as give you and your family that piece of mind without the worry of your air conditioner unit breaking down […]
Air Conditioning Tune Up
We all know how hot and humid the summers here in Houston, Texas can get, so having your air conditioner unit breaking down in the middle of July is a true nightmare. Not only is your AC no longer providing that nice, cool air, but you also more than likely cannot get an appointment scheduled until a couple weeks or more out. The summertime for HVAC specialists, like Autumn Mechanical, is like Christmas time for retail stores, it is the absolute busiest time. Lucky for you, there is a way to help potentially prevent a mid-summer breakdown. During the early springtime months, call your local and trusted professional to schedule your AC tune-up or better known as preventative maintenance. This entire process will help keep your system tuned up as well as potentially prevent any repair issues that could happen due to neglect. There are many reasons why it is important to have your AC unit maintenance regularly, usually once to twice a year. One of the big ones is to keep your warranty from becoming void. Another reason is to help save you money down the road. Paying a small amount compared to potentially hundreds to thousands to repair an issue that could have been avoided is definitely better. After that reason comes the reason of getting the most out of your AC system. This means getting its full potential when it comes to its lifespan and efficiency. If it is not properly maintained, then there are chances of it operating inefficiently as well as reduce its lifespan. Your next question is exactly all will the professional do during this preventative maintenance? This is what you should expect: To have your thermostat fully calibrated to verify that it functioning properly. A nice, […]
Air Conditioning Tune Up Necessary
One of the most asked questions is whether or not your annual AC tune-up, also known as annual preventative maintenance is necessary. There are many benefits and reasons why having this done to your air conditioning system is very important. One thing that a homeowner themselves can do is to make sure to change the air filter regularly, though there are more than just air filters. Making sure that you have your annual preventative maintenance done can help prevent you from sitting in your home without AC in the middle of the hot and humid summer of Houston, Texas. When the question pops into your head about whether or not you should schedule that appointment for the tune-up, ask yourself these few questions. Are you wishing to get the full, expected lifespan of your air conditioner? Are you wanting to improve the performance and efficiency of your AC equipment? Do you wish to save money on energy costs? Is it important for you and your family to be both comfort as well as safe? If you answered yes to one or more of these, then it is rather important for you to schedule that tune-up appointment. That tune-up appointment can give you all of these benefits plus more. Even in Houston, Texas there is a time that our air conditioning units are shut off for a period of time. During this time, dirt and debris builds up during that time and when you first kick on your AC unit, the coils will burn that off. The bad thing is that is it’s a large build up, it can cause your cooling system to start operating inefficiently. Also during this time refrigerant leaks and electrical problems can happen. Having your HVAC specialist, like Autumn Mechanical, […]
