Month: June 2017

Getting To Know Your Air Conditioner in Texas

What Causes AC Condenser Problems?

Given the climate that we live in here in Houston, you use the air conditioner are a routine basis. You probably take it for granted more often than you should. You only tend to notice its absence when something goes wrong because normally you are aware of how to keep your home cooled. One of the most important components of the system is the unit that sits outside. This is called the AC condenser.

The condenser unit works to release the heat the inside unit absorbs. It pushes that heat to the air outside. Without a functioning AC condenser, the hot air inside your home has nowhere to go. If something goes wrong with this, you need immediate help. Reach out to AC repair companies Houston to keep the unit from getting damaged more. More damage can lead to needing a full AC replacement.

The Role of the Condenser

The fluid that transfers heat from one point to another is the refrigerant. When this leaves your AC’s compressor it moves through the condenser coils. It does this after it adds pressure to the refrigerant that it gets inside the home.

When this happens, a fan blows over those coils and cools them down. They release heat to the outside air and then lets the cool air go back into your home. When your condenser develops problems, it can seriously harm the AC or even stop it completely from cooling your home causing a full break down.

What Are Some Condenser Problems

Here are some of the possible causes of AC condenser problems. Some are more severe than others.

Outdoor Debris: Because the condenser is located outside it is susceptible to accumulating damage from lawn clippings, leaves, sticks, and gravel. Make sure you keep the area surrounding the condenser as clear as you can. This reduces the chance for this to happen. Any object, no matter how small, can enter the cabinet and damage the motor, fan blade, or the belt causing the condenser to become impaired.

AC Man Houston | HVAC Maintenance in HoustonRefrigerant Leak: As discussed above, the refrigerant is the fluid that moves the heat from one spot to another. It moves through the lines that connect both the condenser and the indoor evaporator. Homeowners believe that it is natural for the refrigerant to dissipate. However, the reality is that a loss of refrigerant is due to a system leak. The smallest leak can develop into a major problem because leaks cause drops in cooling powers. They are damaging to the condenser.

Electric Failure: The motor inside the AC condenser operates the fan and the compressor. Since it is operated using electricity, a relay or capacitor malfunction could impact the condenser operation causing it to stop working. This could also be due to frayed wires inside the unit. If the compressor does not turn on, the likely source of the problem is an electrical one. Address this issue immediately for the safety of everyone in the home.

A/C Man Air Conditioning & Heating is here for you so contact us now. We are among the top AC repair companies Houston that you can choose for excellent air conditioning services. Call now for your free estimate!

How To Keep Your Home Cool With Houston AC Maintenance

Stay Cool Through The Summer: Air Conditioning Tips And Tricks

Let’s face it, it gets really hot in the summer. Sometimes there are periods where it is not quite as unbearable as other times, but you can pretty much count on the fact that you will need to run your air conditioning at least some of the time. Therefore, it is important to get your unit ready for all the work it is going to be putting in this year. Setting up a maintenance visit is a great start.

You may also be dealing with a system that is no longer working. If that is the case, you will need to search for the best air conditioning companies Houston has to offer, so that you can get your unit replaced with a quality system. There are are a few things you need to think about going into the process to make sure you get the most bang for your buck.

For example, size is a factor. It can’t be too big or too small; it has to be just the right size so that it operates efficiently. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio rating is important as well. While most systems are reasonably efficient, there are still ways that you can save money going forward.

How To Lower Your Energy Bills

1. Maintain Your System

Central air conditioning systems have outdoor compressors. To keep the unit in good condition, make sure to remove any debris from the vicinity. For example, mulch, branches, and plants can all get in the way. Tree roots can also cause problems. While compressors are generally placed on concrete slabs, tree roots can still cause issues, depending on how they grow.

There are things you can do inside the home as well. Check each vent and make sure it is clear of obstructions. If you have furniture or other objects in the way, try setting up a new layout. If airflow is restricted, your air conditioner may have to work harder to get the job done.

2. Use Fans

Run fans in your home to keep air moving. This is particularly important even when the air conditioner is on. The fans won’t make the home cooler, but they can push the cool air around so that you feel better in your living space. You won’t have to set the thermostat as low, meaning that your AC unit doesn’t have as much stress placed on it.

3. Put Up Curtains

Curtains or blinds can keep radiant heat from seeping into the home. Therefore, think carefully about your window treatments.

4. Hire A Professional

You can maintain your system over time. For example, changing out the air filters is helpful. You should do this every 90 days or so, particularly when you are running your unit on a daily basis. There is nothing wrong with changing them out sooner, however, if you feel the need to do so.

AC Man Houston | Professional Houston HVAC CompanyHaving a professional come out and take a look at your system is also important. Our experts will examine your unit to ensure that it is working properly. We will clean it and put in new parts if necessary. We can also advise you on anything that needs to be fixed. It is always a good idea to make small repairs when necessary so that the issues don’t turn into big ones.

If you are looking for the best air conditioning companies Houston has to offer, get in touch with us today. We are happy to discuss your needs with you and get out to your property to take a look at the unit in question. Don’t wait until the weather gets unbearably hot; make sure your air conditioner is in good working order today!

How Houston’s Humidity “Makes It Rain”

How Your Wallet And Comfort Are Impacted By Humidity

Here in the Houston area, it is a bit silly to say that summer is almost here. Our temperatures are pretty high here most of the time, so we use our cooling systems on a regular basis. However, there is one threat that can make hotter temperatures even more unbearable than they already are – and that is humidity.

There is a tendency for humidity levels to increase as temperatures do, which adds extra water vapor – or moisture – to the air. This makes it a lot more difficult to get comfortable since we can’t simply sweat out the heat. And although humidity doesn’t actually raise the temperature, it definitely makes you feel warmer – and when that occurs inside your home, you need to have an effective solution to the problem. The best solution is to have a dehumidifier installed by a reputable Houston AC Repair Company.

Is Your Comfort Really Impacted That Much By Humidity?

Typically the relative humidity where most individuals feel comfortable inside of their homes is between 30% and 50%. Whenever humidity levels start to exceed that, your body will start to feel hotter, no matter what the thermostat says the temperature is.

Sweating is how we naturally cool off. As sweat starts to evaporate from off of your skin, you start to feel cooler. However, high moisture levels are introduced into the air by humidity and your sweat doesn’t evaporate as easily. So when it isn’t a dry heat you will feel a lot warmer.

Isn’t Humidity Controlled By The Air Conditioner?

Your home’s air conditioning system does help with controlling the humidity that is in the air. The evaporator coil is a component contained in the cooling system. That is where refrigerant absorbs and evaporates heat as it is moving through your outdoor and indoor units. As that happens, the coil cools off significantly, and the moisture from the air condenses onto the coil – which means there is less moisture contained in the air to block back into your house.

So when you use an air conditioner, in most cases humidity levels do go down, but it comes at a cost and has a minimal effect. As you know, it isn’t cheap to use your air conditioner and to dehumidify it needs to use up, even more, energy and run for a longer period of time. Whenever the air gets too humid, your cooling unit basically has to work harder. This results in your air conditioning system perform less efficiently and costing you more to operate it.

Why Dehumidifiers Are Worthwhile Investments

As shown above, your best solution for dehumidifying your home might not be to use your air conditioning system. However, a dehumidifier can be added to your HVAC system in order to decrease the moisture levels that are in the air so that you can stay comfortable. There are other benefits as well:

AC Man Houston | Savings On AC Repair in HoustonFinancial Savings: A whole-house dehumidifier does require an initial investment, just like there is for any type of indoor air quality system or product. However, when a dehumidifier is run, it allows you to adjust your air conditioner by a couple of degrees, or when the temperature is mild you can even shut if off, to help lower your energy bills and save money.

AC System Protection: Of course you will want to avoid having to replace your air conditioner as long as you can. When a dehumidifier is integrated into your HVAC system it helps to reduce the wear and tear that your air conditioner is subjected to, which helps to prolong its life.

Improved Indoor Air Quality: Reducing the moisture levels inside your house can help to reduce or prevent the development of mildew and mold, which are two of the main reasons why we recommend you get a whole-house dehumidifier instead of a portable, small system. If you decide to buy one they have been known to use up a substantial amount of energy, so looking into a new quote through price comparisons sites similar to Usave might help to mitigate the additional eletric costs.

Call AC Man Houston today, to learn more about to balance the humidity inside your home and why it is so important. Or you can contact us here!

Answering Questions Concerning Your Air Conditioner

What Is The Cause Of Low Airflow In My Cooling System?

We probably don’t need to tell you that here in Houston the cooling season starts much earlier than it does in other areas of the country. We would actually be surprised if you were to tell us you were not using your air conditioner every day already. That makes now the ideal time for checking for any issues that your cooling system might have – any indications that your AC might be operating ineffectively or inefficiently.

Here is a list of services that we provide at A/C Man Houston.

If you happen to notice that something is not right, then you should go ahead and shut your air conditioner down and call our experts to have professional AC repair in Houston performed on your unit.

Low Airflow: Common Problem with Cooling Systems

One of the most common air conditioning problems that we get calls for – particularly for systems that have not been maintained on a regular basis – is reduced airflow out of the vents. This can be a big problem since it reduces the efficiency and effectiveness of the cooling system – causing it to work harder to do its job than is necessary.

The costs of operating an air conditioner over the course of one year that has low airflow will increase, and the chances of it having a serious breakdown will increase right along with this problem. Noticing that there is low airflow coming from your vents is among the most straightforward and easiest ways for you to identify a problem before it has the chance to become a big emergency – give our professionals a call today if you notice this problem.

What Is The Cause of Low Airflow?

You will need to have a trained HVAC professional determine what exactly is causing your reduced airflow. However, here the following are some of the most common causes:

  • Frozen evaporator coil caused by a malfunction.
  • Faulty indoor blower motor.
  • Fan speed that is set too low.
  • Worn and/or loose fan belt.
  • Closed damper, obstruction or debris inside the ductwork.
  • Dirty coils (usually caused by not changing the air filter frequently enough).

AC Man Houston | Low Airflow HVAC Problems in HoustonThere are basically two main sources of low airflow: either something is reducing the power on what does the blowing or something is blocking air flow. If something is blocking the airflow, there may be ductwork damage, such as leaks or crimps. Or it might be a clogged air filter – which is easy enough to fix. If you happen to notice that only one or two of the vents are being impacted by the problem rather than your entire house, then most likely it is an issue with an air duct and not a problem with the actual system.

If there is something that is reducing the power to the component that does the blowing, then most likely the problem has to do with the fan. It could be the fan blade being bent or jarred or a problem with the fan motor or fan belt. Whatever the case may be, this can cause an insufficient amount of power to blow cool air throughout the air ducts, which cuts down on efficiency and increases the amount of strain on the rest of your overall cooling system. Your AC system will continue to be faced with an increased chance of breakdown until this issue is addressed.

For Expert AC Repair in Houston, call the A/C Man today!