Why Is Your Air Conditioner Leaking And How To Fix It?

Excessively running the air conditioning system invites new problems that concern the household environment. Hearing the dripping water noises from your AC system can signal that your AC needs repairs.

1. Why is your Air Conditioning System Leaking Water?

Here are the reasons why your air conditioning system is leaking water:

  • Due to improper maintenance, the debris and algae growth in the pipes clog the drain, and the water leaks from the outdoor unit.
  • Dirty and dusty air filters block the airflow in the indoor unit, and the evaporator coils start to freeze.
  • Refrigerant leakage is another reason why water leaks from indoor units.
  • The pressure inside the unit falls as the refrigerant levels lower down, and it causes the evaporator coils to freeze.
  • A crack on the condensate pan indicates you need to call a technician to replace it at the earliest.

2. How Can you Unclog the Air Conditioning System's Condensate Pipe?

According to experts of air conditioner service in Lake City, FL, it is easy to unclog the AC drain line. Here are the steps that you should follow in cleaning the drain line:

  • Switch off the air conditioning system from all the power circuits.
  • Locate the condensate drain and remove the lid.
  • Wear gloves and take a long metallic brush to remove the blockage in the pipe.
  • Insert the soft-bristle brush and clean the debris accumulated inside the drain pipe.
  • Pour a cup of boiling water to see whether the water easily flows through the pipe.
  • Warm water will also kill the algae or bacteria growing inside the drain.
  • Wait for a few minutes before moving to the next step.
  • Now, all you need is a spoonful of baking soda and a cup of vinegar to ensure the drain never gets clogged again.
  • Pour down the baking soda and vinegar into the pipe.
  • Replace the cap of the lid and close the condensate drain.

According to AC maintenance in Lake City, FL, pouring down baking soda and vinegar is one of the preventive measures to avoid algae growth.

3. Things to Keep in Mind While Cleaning the AC Drains

Here are some things the AC technician experts recommend that homeowners avoid at all costs while cleaning the AC condensate drain line:

  • You can use mild cleaning agents to remove the blockage.
  • Experts at air conditioner service in Lake City, FL, advise avoiding pouring down bleach or other cleaning agents in the kitchen.
  • Take preventive steps to fix the leakage issue as soon as you find it.
  • Delaying the repair service will increase the issue’s severity and start affecting the other component’s functioning.

Call the Technician If the Leakage Persists

The technicians will inspect the AC system to find the reason behind the leakage issue. After finding out the cause, the technician will find a permanent solution to fix the problem.

When you report the HVAC issue to Lane Heating and Air experts, we will take prompt action to resolve your problem. Call (386)-466-7514, and our AC maintenance in Lake City, FL, will find efficient solutions to your HVAC issues today. 

Is It Possible To Run Your AC Without A Filter?

Unwanted particles, dust, and other debris are captured by air filters before entering your air conditioner. Your HVAC system’s protection is the primary goal of the air filter.

1. What Might Occur If a Cooling System is Run Without a Filter?

  • You might decide to change your filter later in the day or on a day when the nearby filter shops aren’t open. Experts for air filter installation in Lake City, FL, advise that you should be able to operate your air conditioner without a filter overnight safely.
  • Otherwise, experts do not advise filterless operation. Using your air conditioner without a filter for more than 6 to 8 hours will seriously harm your air conditioner and degrade the air quality in your house.
  • After all, operating your air conditioner without a filter for more than a day or two may damage your system to necessitate quick AC repair.
  • Additionally, the air quality within your home will decline, making it unsuitable for anyone who spends time inside—your chances of experiencing poor indoor air quality increase the longer your air conditioner runs without a filter.
  • The outcome may be an increase in allergy symptoms, respiratory problems, eye irritation, or nose and throat discomfort in you or other household members. Airflow over the evaporator coils can also be hampered by dirt, dust, and other contaminants that can enter your system if it operates without a filter.
  • It may impact how the refrigerant absorbs heat and moisture in your system. If your coils are affected this way, you might notice warmer air coming from your vents, compressor problems, other parts that need to be fixed or replaced, and increased utility bills. You need to call a specialist for air quality testing in Lake City, FL.

2. Consequences of Operating your Air Conditioner Without a Filter

  • High Energy Bills:

Your AC must run for extended periods to cool your home because frozen evaporator coils cannot absorb heat. Over time, this will result in rising energy costs.

  • Busted Compressor:

Compressor damage could occur if your evaporator coils are frozen and you continue to use your system. The compressor is a costly component to replace because your AC wouldn’t function without it.

  • Frozen Evaporator Coils:

When you operate your air conditioning system without a filter, dust is drawn into the indoor unit, collects on the evaporator coils, and requires air quality testing in Lake City, FL.

  • Reduced Air Quality:

If you run your air conditioner without a filter, you’ll frequently see a decline in the air quality inside your home. This contaminant will continually blow back and hang in the air as dust and debris enter your air conditioner.

  • Less-Conditioned Air:

Your AC system will likely be producing less-conditioned air if your evaporator coils are frozen. If you place your palm over an AC vent, only a small amount of air comes out.

To Sum Up

Maintaining your air conditioner’s filter will guarantee that it produces the highest-quality air appropriate for your surroundings.

Lane Heating and Air can help you by providing dependable air filter installation in Lake City, FL. Contact us at (386) 466-7514 to learn more about our services. 

Can You Use A Hair Dryer To Defrost Your AC?

When an air conditioning device stops producing cool air, it usually happens due to numerous issues. One of the most prevalent problems is that the evaporator or condenser coils have frozen up. In addition, when your air conditioning device operates, condensation collects on the cooling coils, and it gets frozen by the chilly air flowing through them.

Running your air conditioning appliance with a frosted part can severely harm your machine. Nevertheless, that does not imply you always have to wait for an expert technician for air conditioner repair in Lake City, FL, to arrive and defrost your frosted cooling unit. You can readily perform a quick fix with some primary electrical devices in your household, like a hairdryer.

How to quickly Defrost your Air conditioning appliance at home?

For numerous homeowners in Florida, calling an expert technician for air conditioning service and maintenance can be an added expense. Due to this, many people usually like performing DIY (Do-it-yourself) repairs to defrost their air conditioning appliances.

Here are some quick fixes that you can attempt if your air conditioner appliance has frozen up. (Nevertheless, you must note that these are mere transient fixes, and you must always depend on a professional technician for such repairs.):

  • Use a Hairdryer to Defrost the Air Conditioning Appliance

While you must be amazed to know this, using a hairdryer can be the perfect and the most affordable way to defrost your air conditioning appliance. You can use your regular hair dryer or a blow dryer to defrost the ice accumulation on the evaporator coils.

Nonetheless, you must ensure that you do not operate your hairdryer at a higher temperature, as excess heat can invariably damage the internal parts of your cooling unit.

Moreover, this high heat can further lead to other severe issues or total breakdown of your air conditioning device. In addition, if your air conditioning device unit freezes due to the stack of dirt and debris, it can quickly get resolved using a hairdryer. Nevertheless, freezing occurring due to low coolant or a defective thermostat can only get fixed by a professional specialist.

  • Leave the Machine Intact for Some Time

Another quick DIY you can attempt to defrost your air conditioner appliance is to leave it untouched for around a couple of days or use it only on the fan mode if needed. Doing this will let your endlessly functioning cooling appliance take some to settle down and defrost itself.

All in all, defrosting your air conditioning device at home with the help of a hairdryer or other temporary fix is a fantastic idea that can save you considerable funds. Nevertheless, these DIY repairs usually do not last long, and the issues frequently start occurring that can further damage your air conditioning appliance.

Conclusion

Therefore, it is always prudent to call an expert HVAC professional for air conditioning repairs and services. Furthermore, if you are looking for a trustworthy HVAC contractor for your repairs, replacement, or AC installation in Lake City, FL, feel free to connect with our highly experienced team at Lane Heating and Air.

For more details, contact us at (386) 466-7514 or email us at [email protected] to learn more about our HVAC-related service.