Avoid Costly AC Repair with this Simple Suggestion

AC Repair: Best Practices to Avoid AC Repair

AC Repair Money Saving Tips

When was the last time you changed your air conditioning filter? If you don’t recall, it has definitely been too long. During the intense heat of a Texas summer, your AC system takes a beating. Contaminants, dust, and debris fill your home’s air. Expectations of your air conditioner filter to miraculously perform when you attempt to extend its life is dangerous and costly.

A leading cause of AC repair and air conditioning repair is the failure to replace your filter timely.

Top Excuses We Hear To Why The AC System Filter is Not Changed Regularly

– I didn’t remember to change it

– It is not “that dirty” it doesn’t need to be changed

– I am unable to change them myself

– I don’t know which filter to buy

This simple act can save you costly AC repair and prevent air conditioning repair that can eventually force you to replace the entire HVAC system.

Setting a calendar reminder on your computer or smartphone to remind you to change your filter is an easy solution to forgetting to change the filter. If your filter is not dirty after six months, chances are it was not properly installed from the beginning. Improper filter installation can cause serious damage to your system components. If you need assistance in installing your HVAC filter or knowing which filter to install, All Cool AC offers AC repair and maintenance.

How To Tell You Need AC repair or Air Conditioning Repair/Maintenance

New homeowners or renters may find it difficult to tell if they need to schedule an AC repair appointment with a professional HVAC technician. Being unfamiliar with the baseline of efficiency of your HVAC system allows you to judge when something is amiss more easily. Remember that addressing any issues quickly will prevent more serious system failures in the future. Here are the most common signs that you need air conditioning repair.

Reduced Airflow of Cool Air

This is something you will notice quite quickly and easily. If you start the system and your AC does not turn on it is a good sign that your system needs repair. If your system does engage but you find there isn’t enough airflow, or the air is not cool, it can indicate that the ductwork is clogged or the ductwork has disconnected. A reduction in airflow is one of the clearest indications that your AC is in need of repair.

Moisture and Condensation Buildup

When warm air and cool air mix, the result is condensation. When your air conditioning unit is working efficiently, the unit handles the condensation with no problems. If moisture and leakage begin to build up and become visible around the unit, it can mean that you have a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant leaks cause significant damage to your unit, and if neglected, it can lead to health threats to you and your family. If it is condensation, rust and mold can result, which can lead to a costly repair that extends beyond your HVAC system.

Vibrations or Mechanical Sounds

If you begin to hear noise coming from your air conditioning system or ductwork, it may be a sign that you need to schedule an AC repair appointment. Squeaking, grinding, excessive vibrations, and mechanical noises are also a sign that your air conditioning unit is aging and may need to be replaced. This is one of the most noticeable indicators that you need AC repair.

Need AC repair or Air Conditioning Repair?

If you are experiencing a noticeable decrease in the functioning and efficiency of your HVAC system, you need to call us at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email. The longer you ignore or put off making the call, the most costly the repair can be.

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June 3, 2016February 17, 2020

Keeping Your A/C Condensate Drain Line Clean

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Summer is just starting in Katy, Texas and your air conditioner is probably getting its first workout of the season. However, it is not too early to consider checking your condensate drain line for clogs so you can avoid having to call for A/C repair in Katy.

What is the Condensate Drain?

Your air conditioner’s evaporator coil absorbs heat while it is running. As it gets hot, it gathers moisture from the surrounding air. That moisture collects on the coil. When the droplets become heavy, the water drips off the coil and into the condensate pan. Then, a condensate pump removes the water from the pan. If the drain becomes clogged, it could require the attention of a Katy air conditioning repair company.

How Does the Drain Get Clogged?

In a hot, humid climate like the Houston area, algae can grow inside the drain blocking it. Dirt can also get inside the A/C cabinet, and then work its way into the condensate pan drain. A Katy air conditioning service will tell you that this can rapidly make the pan overflow because the pan is merely 1 inch deep. If it overflows, it can become a fire hazard. The overflow can also spill onto your furnace if your furnace and A/C are in the same housing. This issue can cause corrosion that will seriously damage your HVAC system.

The furnace is not the only place in your home where water leaking from your condensate pan can wreak havoc. It can accumulate behind your walls and cause costly damage before it is discovered and stopped. That leaking water is also a perfect environment for dangerous mold and mildew to grow. Elevated humidity and musty odors are tell-tale symptoms of the problem. Some companies do not check the condensate line during normal A/C check-ups or seasonal maintenance. That means you should understand how to clean the drain line if you notice problems.

How Do You Clean the Condensate Line?

If your condensate line is clean, your A/C system will run better. You will need a few things to do the job properly, including a wet/dry vacuum, a funnel, rags and distilled vinegar. Once, you have gathered the items, follow these steps to prevent issues with your A/C unit.

– Turn off the HVAC system’s power at the breaker and the thermostat.
– Locate the condensate pan, which is normally beneath the unit. It might be behind an access panel that is easy to remove.
– You will know that your drain line is clogged if the drain pan is filled with standing water. Use a shop vacuum or rags to remove the water from the pan. Then, use soapy water to cleanse the drain pan.
– Now you need to remove the clog in the drain line. Suction from the shop vacuum works well. Use your hand to form a nice, tight seal around the vacuum’s hose. You can examine the vacuum canister to see if the clog has been removed. If you do not own a shop vacuum, run some surgical tubing through the line to clear the blockage.
– Clean the drain’s access point with distilled vinegar or hydrogen peroxide. You can also use hot water with a little dishwashing liquid. Let it soak for about 30 minutes.
– Now, flush the pipe with clean water. Have a helper check the outside drain pipe to see if it is draining properly.

If you cannot get the clog out of the drain line, contact All Cool A/C & Heating at 281-238-9292. We can clear the condensate drain line and make sure your system is functioning at its peak efficiency.

September 15, 2015February 17, 2020

When Is It Time to Replace My HVAC System?

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Several factors come into play when it comes to determining if you should contact a Katy air conditioning service company to repair or replace your HVAC system. Obviously, the simplest way to tell is if you are sweltering during a Houston summer – or spring or fall – because it will not turn on. However, there are a number of less straightforward issues that you should look out for too.

Your Summer Electric Bills Keep Increasing

Unless Houston has been experiencing much hotter than usual summers lately, this may indicate that your cooling equipment is not as efficient at cooling your house as it used to be and that you should contact a Sugar Land air conditioning service professional. In fact, what you notice first is that your electric bill increases or surpasses by 50 percent even when using an efficient system.

Uneven Cooling of Your House

If some of your rooms tend to be cooler and more comfortable than others even though they are all directly connected with the cooling system, this likely indicates that you are having issues with your ducts or that the insulation in those rooms is not up to the standards that it should be.

There Is Too Much Dust

The rooms in your home being covered with more dust than used to be the case is likely the cause of leaky ducts as holes in the duct system can pull air from places that it should have no access to and then spread dust found there throughout the house. Of course, leaky ducts will also decrease the efficiency of your system and increase your cooling costs.

There is Too Much Noise

If your HVAC system is noisier than it used to be, this could be the result of something as simple as a loose screw or something more significant like a damaged blower motor or fan blades.

Your HVAC System Needs Frequent Repairs

If the number of times that you need to either call a professional or fix simpler issues yourself has increased in recent times, this may also indicate that your cooling system is just not that efficient anymore and that it may make more sense to replace it instead of continuing to get it fixed.

You Have Had Your Air Conditioning System for at Least 10 Years

Since HVAC systems tend to last about 12 years on average, once yours has passed the 10-year mark, it may be time to seriously consider getting it replaced. Even if it does not have any major issues now, it is likely that some will surface in the near future.

It Will Not Turn On

Now, if it actually will not turn on at all, first check that the issue is not simply related to a blown fuse or tripped circuit. Also make sure that your thermostat is set to a “cool” setting. Oftentimes, a fix for what appears to be a completely broken HVAC system is a simple one. However, this obviously could also indicate a much more serious issue such as the compressor being burnt out or the entire system needing to be replaced.

Your Home Energy Yardstick Score is Low

Using the Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick and discovering that your score is lower than five means you should get a more efficient system or your current one is damaged and you should contact Sugar Land air conditioning repair experts. This handy Energy Star tool also tells you other ways you can increase your score and decrease your bills.

When you do decide to replace your air conditioning system, consider getting one installed that has an Energy Star label as these units are highly efficient and can cut your cooling costs by about 20 percent. Of course, these electric bill savings also indicate that you are using a cooling system that is not putting out as many greenhouse gas emissions and is helping protect the environment.

Make sure that when you do get your air conditioning system looked at or replaced, contact the professionals at All Cool A/C & Heating. We are a locally owned company that has been serving homeowners in Katy, Sugar Land and nearby communities since 1989.