Tag: air conditioner

How Does A Central Heating and Cooling System Work?

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central heating and cooling

Your central heating and cooling system is a vital part of your home. It keeps the indoor temperature to your liking and, while doing so, consumes more energy than any other appliance. Because of how necessary it is to have proper heating and cooling, it’s important to learn about how the system works—and the pros at Weeks Service Company are here to provide some insight!

How Does Central Cooling Work?

The most common central cooling system you will come across is one that is made up of two units. The outdoor unit consists of the compressor and condenser coil. Indoors, you have the evaporator coil located in the air handling unit. A cooling agent called refrigerant loops through these coils, frequently changing from liquid to gas and vice versa.

The air conditioner sucks warm air from inside your home and blows it over the evaporator coil. The liquid refrigerant inside the evaporator coil absorbs heat from the air and transforms into gas. The air, now cool, enters back into your home through vents with the help of fans. The gaseous refrigerant makes its way to the outdoor unit where the compressor pressurizes the gas and pushes it to the condenser. The condenser liquefies the refrigerant once more.  As a result, heat is radiated and dissipated with the help of fans.

How Does Central Heating Work?

There are two main types of central heating systems. Forced-air systems and gravity systems—we will focus on the forced-air system, because it is the most common one.

A forced-air central heating system can be powered by gas or electricity. Usually, a heat exchanger is heated with the help of a gas burner or electrical components. Cold indoor air blows over the heat exchanger to be heated, with the help of air handler fans. Then, warm air blows through the ducts, while any combustion products are released out of the building through a flue pipe.

Maintain Your Central Heating and Cooling System with Weeks Service Company

Now that you know more about your HVAC system, you can take better care of it. A good rule of thumb for your outdoor condenser is to keep up with routine maintenance and change the air filter regularly. For more thorough maintenance, get in touch with a pro from Weeks Service Company. Call us today at 281-738-1362 or fill out a service request form online!

 

4 Signs of Air Conditioner Failure

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signs of air conditioner failure

You’ve probably thought about it— the day your trusted air conditioner finally gives out and you have to find a replacement. It’s a day you probably aren’t looking forward to because you most likely don’t want to deal with the frustration of finding a new AC system and getting it installed. However, you can make that dreaded day a little easier for you by being prepared. And the first step to being prepared for a total AC breakdown is by knowing about the signs of air conditioner failure. The team at Weeks Service Company is here to tell you how to know if your AC is failing, so you don’t have to carry on with a malfunctioning air conditioner that takes up your time and money.

 1. AC Is Not Blowing Cold Air

Your AC could be blowing warm air for a variety of reasons such as the ones listed below. You can fix these problems with the help of a professional. However, if your AC is consistently doing this, even after you consult a professional, your air conditioner might be signaling its incoming end.

  • Your Evaporator Coil is Freezing Up

A dirty evaporator coil or a dirty air filter can lead to your evaporator coil freezing up. To solve this problem, turn off your unit, replace the air filter if necessary and wait for the evaporator coil to thaw. If the freezing persists afterwards, get in touch with a professional.

  • There Is A Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is an important coolant present in your AC system which plays a vital role in cooling your home. If your AC is blowing warm air, there is a chance it might be low on refrigerant due to leakage. You will need to call a professional to refill the refrigerant in your AC system as refrigerant can be hazardous.

If your AC uses the R-22 refrigerant, it’s important for you to know that R-22 is being phased out (banned) because it is harmful to the ozone-layer. By next year, R-22’s production and import will become illegal in the United States. If you have been considering replacing your AC, now is the time to act.

  • Your Thermostat is On Heat

Your AC might be blowing warm air because of something as simple as your thermostat being left on heat. Check your thermostat to make sure it is on “cool” instead of “heat”. In addition, make sure the AC is set to “Automatic” instead of “Fan.”

2. Low Airflow

Low airflow coming from your AC could mean many things. It’s important not to jump to conclusions before trying everything out. Low air flow could be attributed to a dirty filter that just needs to be replaced. Low airflow could also be a sign of any leaks present in your AC’s ductwork. Sealing ductwork can be a dangerous task due to their hard-to-reach locations in the basement and attic, which is why it is best to contact a professional to inspect your ductwork.

Low airflow can also be a sign of a problematic compressor. The compressor in your AC system pressurizes the refrigerant to be pushed toward the condenser from the evaporator coil, changing refrigerant from hot, pressurized gas to cool liquid. Contact a professional you trust who can advise you on what you can do to deal with a malfunctioning compressor.

3. Recurring AC Breakdowns

This one is a no-brainer. If your AC is constantly blowing warm air, has low air flow or is consistently low on refrigerant, your AC might be signaling that something is failing. Recurring AC breakdowns could be a sign of poor maintenance, wrong AC size or poor installation. While you might need the help of a professional in finding the right AC size and proper installation, you can avoid frequent breakdowns by scheduling annual HVAC tune ups, changing your AC filter every 3 months at minimum, and checking in on your outdoor condenser once in a while.

4. Excessive Noise

Excessive noise is also one of the signs of air conditioner failure. A hissing or gurgling sound might indicate a leak in the refrigerant lines, while rattling might suggest that there is a loose item stuck within your AC’s fan. Squealing or screaming might be a sign of a problem with the compressor or an issue with the belt that connects the fan and motor.

Need A Professional? Contact Weeks Service Company!

There are many other signs of an air conditioner failing. Sometimes it’s just because your AC is too old and deteriorated and needs replacing. When you’re worried there’s something wrong with your AC, it’s important to contact a professional you trust who can give you sound advice. If you’re looking for experts in the League City area, look no further than Weeks Service Company! Give us a call at 281-738-1362 or fill out a service request form on our website.

 

Why is My Air Conditioner Leaking Water?

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With the Houston heat and humidity increasing rapidly, the last thing you want to deal with is an air conditioner that is causing problems. We understand you would much rather be thinking about relaxing and making the most of what is left of summer.

But life happens and your AC might be showing signs of malfunctioning, like leaking water. This problem can be difficult to diagnose, especially if you’re new to HVAC maintenance. Luckily, the pros at Weeks Service Company know a thing or two about your AC system and can answer the age-old question: Why is my air conditioner leaking water?

1. Damaged Drain Pan

The drain pan is usually located underneath the indoor air handling unit. The indoor handling unit includes the evaporator coil, which is an important component of your AC system. During the process of air conditioning, warm indoor air blows over the evaporator coil that includes a cooling agent called refrigerant. The refrigerant in the coil absorbs the heat from the warm air which causes condensation or moisture to collect on the coil and drip into the drain pan.

This is our long-winded way of saying that the drain pan is important. It collects excess moisture but if the pan is damaged, old or cracked, condensate might be leaking through. If your drain pan has minor cracks, you can use epoxy glue to repair them. However, it’s better to simply replace the pan!

2. Dirty Air Filter

We cannot stress how important it is to consistently replace or clean your AC’s air filter. A clean air filter improves air flow as well as your indoor air quality. A clogged, dirty filter can reduce the efficiency of your AC and cause other problems such as a frozen evaporator coil.

When air is absorbed and blown past a dirty filter, it might carry the dirt and debris with it onto the coil. Over time, the dirt collecting on the evaporator coil can hinder the coil’s ability to absorb heat, causing it to freeze. The ice on the coil can melt and the moisture can leak excessively. To avoid this, be sure to replace your air filter 1-3 months depending on the climate you live in!

3. Clogged Condensate Line

If there isn’t an issue with your air filter or drain pan, you might want to check the condensate line. The condensate line is an important part of your AC system. When your AC absorbs warm air from your home, it also absorbs humidity. The excess humidity removed from your home eventually condenses and is drained out through the condensate line.

If your AC is leaking water, there is a chance that your condensate line (which is located near your outdoor condenser) is clogged by debris, algae or fungi. When the condensate line is clogged, excess moisture can’t move away from your HVAC system. Instead, it gets backed up into your home. You can try to remove the clog yourself by using a wet-dry vacuum ¼ inch smaller than the pipe opening.

Need A Professional? Contact Weeks Service Company!

No matter what the cause, a leaking and malfunctioning air conditioner isn’t fun, especially in this hot weather. If you think your AC is giving you any problems, just give Weeks Service Company a shout! Our team of knowledgeable technicians will be able to solve any problems your home has, so you can be a relaxed homeowner this summer. Call us today at 281-738-1362 or schedule a service online!

Why Do Air Conditioners Ice Over?

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There aren’t many things that instill as much frustration and aggravation as finding out your outdoor HVAC unit has iced over. And, yes, even though we’re in the winter and temperatures have dropped, it’s still possible for your condenser to freeze. To get it fixed, all you’ll need to do is give us a call – but that doesn’t explain why it happened.

As it turns out, there are a couple of primary reasons why your condenser could ice over. Just follow along with this quick explainer from the pros at Weeks Service Company! We’ll do our best to help explain why this might happen, so that you know how to better avoid it in the future.

There’s Bad Airflow

A lack of airflow accounts for a vast majority of AC freeze-ups. However, there isn’t one catch-all explanation for why that happens. That said, there are a handful that can usually explain it. Each one is equally possible, although you can usually eliminate a few of them just by checking something quickly.

  • Blocked/Closed Vents: When the exhaust openings are closed or obstructed, airflow gets backed up, which means your AC can’t get rid of cold air. Voila, frozen unit.
  • Old Air Filter: You should be changing out your air filter every 30 days or so, but if you forget then you could easily encounter this aggravating issue. The results are similar to what happens when you block your vents.
  • Clogged Evaporator Coil: This coil is what expunges the old air from your circulation. When it gets clogged, the air that normally gets expelled has nowhere to go, and it freezes your AC over.

Refrigerant Problem

Refrigerant, or more specifically, freon, is the chemical that runs through your AC system. It’s responsible for cooling and heating the air, and when it leaks, the whole system grinds to a halt. You’ll notice a lack of properly heated or cooled air, and more often than not you’ll see a frozen AC unit.

The only way to fix this is by repairing the leak – adding more refrigerant won’t help. Another potential issue comes from improperly charged refrigerant, which will manifest itself in the same way that a leak would.

Other Potential Causes

Although restricted airflow and refrigerant problems account for the majority of AC freeze-overs, there are a couple of other potential causes. If you’ve run your AC when it’s cold outside, your unit could freak out since it won’t be able to handle the abundance of cold. A malfunctioning blower fan can lead to a frozen unit, and a loose or broken component in the unit itself can do the same thing.

Weeks Service Company: Your AC Experts

No matter what the cause, a frozen outdoor unit isn’t fun. It makes your day-to-day life more difficult, and it makes you want to pull your hair out. Whenever you think you may have this problem on your hands, just give us a shout!

Weeks Service Company’s team of knowledgeable technicians can handle whatever your home throws at you, and we’ll do it right the first time.

Give us a call at 281-738-1362 for more information