Tag: air conditioning

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!

How Does Refrigerant Turn Into Cool Air?

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Unless you like to spend your free time researching the schematics of HVAC units, you probably don’t put a ton of thought into how your air conditioner generates the cool air into your home. And why would you? You just flip the switch on your thermostat, hear the machine kick on, and boom — it’s cold inside.

But it’s helpful to understand what’s going on, so you’ll be able to identify when something has gone wrong. The key to the whole cooling process lies with something called refrigerant, and the cooling experts at Weeks Service Company are going to walk you through the way this substance helps cool your home!

It Isn’t “Creating” Cold Air

Believe it or not, when you feel the cool air blow across your skin while you’re sitting in your living room, that cold temperature wasn’t created by the air conditioner. Instead, your unit has just taken all the *warm* air that was already indoors and gotten rid of the warm-ness.

The way it works is like this: your air system takes in air from the outdoors and sends it through the cooling cycle in your air conditioner. The refrigerant already in your system moves between a liquid and gas state depending on whether it’s being compressed or expanded, and it absorbs or releases warm air based on which cycle it’s going through.

The refrigerant isn’t ever lost, either. The same amount is in there regardless of what’s happening to it – or at least, it shouldn’t ever get lost. If that happens, your unit isn’t working like it’s supposed to. You should schedule an inspection from a technician you trust!

Refrigerant Can Do It All

Without this crucial substance, your air would just be the same temperature that it is outside. But thanks to the refrigerant, you’re able to enjoy cool air year-round. To recap refrigerant snakes through the evaporator and condenser coils in your home’s air-conditioning system, continually changing states between liquid and gas as it absorbs and releases moisture from the air.

For a significant amount of HVAC units, the refrigerant being used is likely Freon. But because of a government-issued ordinance, Freon is going to be totally discontinued for HVAC system usage by 2020.

If your unit uses Freon, it’s important to keep an eye on the health and integrity of it. If a leak springs and the Freon escapes, then a recharge might not be in your best interest. After 2020, you won’t be able to simply add more Freon to your unit, so keep that in mind.

It may be cheaper to replace your Freon with more of the same. However, that may end up costing you more down the line after it’s been completely phased out.

Weeks Service Company: Here for League City’s AC Needs

In the market for a new air conditioner? Stressed out about replacing your coolant? Just give us a call! Weeks Service Company can walk you through the best strategy for you and your unit, and we’ll provide all the resources and information you need to make the best decision for you and your family.

Call us at
Birmingham – 281-738-1362 to speak to one of our friendly team members today!