As we get closer to needing less and less cooling, you may have started to notice some issues with your air conditioning system. We had a hot summer and continue to have a warm fall, making it necessary to keep the cooling going. With a long cooling season like ours, it isn’t unusual for your AC to develop problems. While you should leave the actual diagnosing and repairing to the trained experts from Downtown Air and Heat, it is good information to know if the problems you are experiencing may indicate a refrigerant leak in your system.
Downtown Air and Heat Blog : Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
Signs That Indicate You May Have a Refrigerant Leak
Monday, November 2nd, 2015Is Your Air Conditioner at the End of Its Tenure?
Monday, October 12th, 2015As summer winds down here in Orlando, you may have come to realize that your current AC may not have another cooling season in it. However, this can be hard to admit if the unit is still running and providing you with at least some relief from the heat. However, just because your air conditioner is running doesn’t mean it is running well or that it isn’t time for replacement. Here are some key factors to weigh when deciding whether or not it is time to upgrade to a new AC before next cooling season:
Why Is Cleaning the Coils Important?
Monday, September 28th, 2015Air conditioning systems use two sets of coils to cool your home: the condenser coils that are in the outdoor unit and the evaporator coils that are in the indoor unit (if you use a ductless cooling system, these coils will be inside the blowers). The coils play a major role in the heat release/cooling process, so it is important that they are well-maintained. During annual or bi-annual maintenance, they will be carefully and thoroughly cleaned. Otherwise, problems will ensue.
Why Zone Control Is Good for You and Your HVAC System Year-Round
Monday, September 21st, 2015Trying to make your entire home completely comfortable with a single thermostat can be a challenge for many households for many reasons. There’s individual preferences, the possibility of specialized architecture like floor-to-ceiling windows, or trying to evenly cool or heat multiple floors. No matter the challenge, we have a great solution: a zone control system.
Will You Need a New Air Conditioner for Next Summer?
Sunday, September 13th, 2015It’s hard to focus on next summer when we aren’t quite finished with this one, but when you live in an area like Orlando, you have to work to beat the heat. Homeowners don’t typically like to think about replacing a major system like a cooling system, but a purchase like this provides you with the opportunity to upgrade your system, achieve better energy efficiency and better comfort. Many people wait until their AC systems completely die before replacement, but we can tell you that it is always better to be ahead of the curve and replace before it becomes an emergency. If you aren’t sure how to determine whether or not it really is time to replace, here are three major factors to consider before next summer:
What Is the Difference Between a Roof Top Commercial AC and a Package Commercial Unit?
Monday, August 31st, 2015Like residential air conditioning systems, it wasn’t too long ago that there weren’t very many choices for commercial systems, either. This has changed, though, and business owners have a number of options when it comes to cooling their commercial properties. A couple of options to consider are roof top units and package units, but each has some differences that may make one more preferential than another. The commercial HVAC experts at Downtown Air & Heat can help you review your options so that you have the best AC fit for your property.
Why Is There Ice on My Air Conditioner?
Monday, August 24th, 2015We are at the hottest time of the year, and there’s no doubt that your air conditioning system is working its hardest to keep you cool and comfortable. It is during our hottest weather that your system will be most prone to malfunction, but it can be hard to tell if your system is compromised when it still runs and cools your home. However, if you see ice on your AC, there is definitely a problem with your system.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking?
Monday, August 10th, 2015With all that can go wrong with your air conditioner, leaking may not be at the top of your list. However, with the humidity level in our area, your air conditioner pulls a great deal of moisture out of the air as it cools your home. This is partly how your air conditioner helps cool your home: by dehumidifying the air. This moisture has to go somewhere, and it does, with the help of your condensate array. But if something is off with your condensate array, you are likely to find your AC in Orlando, FL, leaking.
What Is the Condensate Array?
The condensate array consists of the condensate tray (or pan) and the condensate drain pipe. The two pieces are connected, and the condensate tray is slanted so that water dripping through the evaporator coils lands in the tray and then runs easily into the condensate drain. The drain is connected to your home’s sewer or septic pipe for removal.
What Kinds of Problems Develop?
There are a few common problems that can develop with the condensate array, although all of them can usually be alleviated and even avoided by scheduling annual maintenance:
- Tray has corroded – the condensate tray can, over time, develop holes or cracks; if this happens, the water dripping into the tray will fall through these openings and onto your floor.
- The tray and drain line have become disconnected – do to varying circumstances, the drain or tray can shift position, causing a disconnection between the two. If this happens, the water in the tray will continue to run toward the slant, but the askew drain pipe won’t be able to capture it all. This, too, will result in water falling directly onto your floor.
- The drain line is clogged – your condensate drain line can become clogged if debris falls into the line or if mold, algae and mildew are allowed to flourish there.
Your condensate array is very important to the removal of moisture in your home, and at this time of year, it is working hard due to the excess humidity in the air. If you have noticed leaking from your air conditioner, don’t wait to call the experts at Downtown Air & Heat for AC repair help.
What Makes an Air Conditioner “High Efficiency”?
Monday, August 3rd, 2015You’d be hard-pressed to find a homeowner who isn’t trying to be as energy efficient as possible, but it can be confusing to know exactly how energy efficient your air conditioning system will be when most ACs are made to be at least somewhat energy efficient. However, there is a difference between an air conditioning system that is energy efficient and one that is considered to be high efficiency, as we’ll discuss below.
What Kinds of Repairs Can I Expect with a Ductless Air Conditioner?
Monday, July 27th, 2015Split system air conditioners have been around a long time, so even if you are new to owning one, most homeowners have a pretty good idea of what to expect in terms of possible repairs. But there can be some concerns around ductless repairs: is the system more complicated? Are the repairs harder to do? The experts at Downtown Air & Heat can help shed some light on the kinds of common repairs that may develop with your ductless air conditioning system in Orlando, FL.
