Tag: air conditioner

Finding Mold On Your Air Conditioner: What Next?

Posted by acman on July 24, 2017

Air Conditioner Maintenance Houston: Dealing With Mold

Why are so many air conditioning systems impacted by mold? The answer to that question is simpler than you might think.

Mold thrives in dark, damp, and dirty environments. It’s a big problem which is why some people get advice from https://dehumidifierreviewshq.co.uk/ for what dehumidifier can help them deal with mold. Dealing with mold is an essential part of air conditioner maintenance.

When mold spores move through the air, they seek out damp areas. Once they find the right spot, the spores begin to spread.

In my experience, a mold is more likely to appear on the outside of an air conditioner than the inside. It’s also more common to see mold on the outside of ducts than on the inside. Mold usually isn’t found internally. Instead, it is more likely to appear on truck lines, the exterior of air distribution plenums, and on supply air grills (images below).

If you’re trying to find a solution to your mold problem, there are a few questions you should be asking yourself.

First, you should figure out why water is forming around your air conditioner.

Once you’ve figured that out, you’ll want to find a way to get rid of the moisture.

If there’s no moisture, mold won’t be able to grow. If you can rid your air conditioner of water, mold won’t have a chance to grow. The moisture that is found on air conditioning systems often comes from condensation. Air conditioners combine cold temperatures with hot ones. Have you ever noticed droplets of water appearing on your cold beverages? It’s the same basic effect. The mold would appear on beer or soda cans too if we left them out for long enough.

Addressing A Mold Problem

If you want to handle a mold problem, you’re going to have to identify problem areas first. Here are some of the areas that are most likely to be impacted:

Supply Air Grills
Supply Plenums
Trunk Lines
Flex Ducts

Thankfully, every one of these problems has a cure. If you’re trying to take care of mold on air grills, you could replace the grill in question. You should also make sure the grill has the right fit.

If you want to take care of supply plenum mold, you may want to replace the plenum with something that has a higher insulation value. You may also want to have a professional remeasure your duct sizing.

If you have mold on your trunk lines, your first step should be to replace the duct board. You could also try increasing the value of the insulation. Eliminating cold air leakage is a great first step.

Lastly, if you’re trying to deal with flex ducts mold, you should make sure that the ducts aren’t touching. If possible, you should keep a dehumidifier near the ducts. You may also want to have a professional measure the ducts and improve the airflow in the area.

It is more than possible to prevent mold from developing on your air conditioner. As long as your air conditioner is properly installed and maintained, you’ll be able to avoid issues like these. Air conditioning mold problems are completely preventable. Look into air conditioner maintenance Houston today.

If you have mold on your air conditioning system, you need to take care of it right away. Mold can cause many negative effects. It’s better to treat the problem sooner rather than later.

Call or contact AC Man Houston before it’s too late! One of our HVAC specialists is waiting and ready to address your mold issue! For an in-depth look at the services we provide, visit here.

Does Your AC Need Repairs? What To Look For

Posted by acman on July 11, 2017

How To Know If Your AC Needs Repairs

One of the most important things that we often talk about here on our blog is the necessity of keeping on top of your air conditioning maintenance. Routine maintenance reduces the risk of needing expensive repairs by enabling us to inspect and adjust your system before major issues develop. However, even with regular maintenance to keep your system in top shape, there may still be a time when you’ll need professional AC services in Houston, TX.

The worst thing to could happen is for you to discover that a serious problem has developed when you need your cooling system the most. Our suggestion is to turn it on and test it well in advance of the hot weather if it’s been a while since you operated it. Turn it on, and take it on a “test run” of sorts, listing and looking for anything amiss. Here are some of the signs of a malfunctioning AC system that you should be aware of:

AC System Short Cycling

AC Man Houston | Houston AC Repair Short cycling occurs when your thermostat continuously turns your HVAC system on and off over a short period of time. This prevents the cooling system from completing the cooling cycle. Among the most common reasons that this happens is because the AC system is too large for the home that it’s installed in.

There are other issues that can cause short cycling also, such as leaky ductwork, stress on the compressor, or a malfunctioning thermostat. Any of these issues can cause an early system breakdown, which will require the services of experienced, professional HVAC technician.

Reduced Airflow

As your cooling system is running, walk to each room and check the vents for adequate airflow. Do you notice any rooms that don’t seem to be getting as much airflow as others? If one or more rooms seem to have sluggish airflow, something is likely wrong. The problem could be with the vents themselves, or it could be the air conditioner’s air handler.

Heated Spots

Testing your air conditioner on a relatively warm day is a good idea as it allows you to get a more accurate assessment of whether or not you have hot spots in your home. Hot spots are pockets of warm air caused by inadequate cooling inside the home. Verify that your room vents are not obstructed and are open and that they have proper airflow. If your vents are not the cause, it’s time to call for professional service.

Strange Noises

There should be no unexpected sounds coming from either the outdoor AC unit or the indoor AC cabinet. If you hear any shrieking, grinding, or unusual mechanical sounds, it can be an indicator that the motors are breaking down and need to be repaired or replaced. Clanking or rattling sounds could indicate loose parts, and hissing noises may indicate a dangerous refrigerant leak. As the homeowner, you’re typically going to be the first to notice unusual sounds coming from the cooling system. Don’t just ignore them, call the professionals in to take a look.

For the best Houston AC repair, contact AC Man Houston or call to schedule your AC inspection and repair services, and don’t forget our guarantee to you: we’ll repair before we’ll replace!

You’re Not The Only Thing Overheating This Summer in Houston

Posted by acman on July 11, 2017

Causes Of Burning Smell From An Air Conditioner

Unlike other places in the United States, Texas is the one place that no one can survive without air conditioning. The weather here is almost always hot and humid, which makes homes and offices extremely hot and uncomfortable with the AC turned off. It is due to this reason that most people ensure their air conditioning maintained regularly to avoid HVAC emergencies. Having a certified Houston HVAC expert work on your air conditioner is the only best way to ensure it remains functional all year round.

With the AC system working all day every day, many people report of a burning smell coming from their air conditions. Although this may be due to the system being overworked, it would be best to have the unit checked immediately.

Some of the common causes of odd smells from cooling systems include:

Musty Odor

AC Man Houston | AC Repair Houston Texas A musty smell may be as a result of a clogged condensate line in the cooling unit, or due to mildew growing in the ductwork. Some of this may be due to the accumulation of water in the drip pan allowing mold to grow. Should the pan be misaligned in a way, then the drain line gets clogged from the stagnating water. While some AC systems will turn off automatically to prevent further damage, the excess water may short out electricals inside. Having the problem addressed, however, eliminates the problem.

Burning Smells

Always turn off the air conditioner should you detect a burning smell from the system. Both electric and gas powered AC systems need an electric igniter to start. Should the system be faulty, the igniter can cause an electrical fire which could spread pretty fast especially with the hot and humid air flowing. If certain that there’s a burning smell coming from the system, turn the system off immediately then call a Houston HVAC repair technician immediately. The technician should be able to diagnose the problem and handle the repairs easily.

Getting to know your air conditioner and some of the potential causes of burning smells in HVAC appliances include:

a. A failing motor:

Dust buildup and lack of adequate lubrication on the same is one of the factors that cause the motor to fail and the burning smell. Since the motor has to drive fans in the system, continued use of the same causes significant stress that creates the burning smell. The technician can either repair/clean the motor or replace it altogether.

b. Clogged air filter:

An AC’s air filter works in an almost similar way as your car’s air filter. Its main job is to protect components inside from dust, dirt, and other debris. With this component working all the time, these particles and mostly dust start building up making it hard for the system to get enough air. Charred particles of the filtered out particles add an acrid smell to the air vents, thus the burning smell. Replacing the air filters at least once every 3 months can, however, prevent this from happening.

In Conclusion

Hiring an HVAC contractor in Houston to take care of your AC system is the best way to ensure your system remains in tip top condition. Contact AC Man Houston today for a quote.

A/C Man Houston Teaches Ice and Air Conditioners Don’t Mix

Posted by acman on July 3, 2017

Discover Why Air Conditioners And Ice Don’t Mix

It makes perfect sense that most people depend on their HVAC Tech when they need expert advice about their air conditioning. If any of them have told you, however, that it’s normal to see ice anywhere on your unit, you’ve been misinformed. Of course, it’s understandable why you would think that’s normal and believe anyone who told you that.

Most people associate cold air and ice as having a relationship and so if they see such a thing with their air conditioning unit they think it’s normal. Unfortunately, however, this means that your air conditioner is actually not doing its job. It’s, in fact, a clear indication that your unit is in need of repair in Houston. Please visit here for more information regarding the services we provide. Air conditioners and ice don’t go together, and if you see any appearing on your unit you shouldn’t ignore it.

Understand How The Cooling Process Works

An air conditioning unit doesn’t use a freezing method to cool the home. At no time does your air conditioner create ice. For that reason, there shouldn’t ever be ice on the unit as a by-product. Heat pumps and air conditioners actually transfer heat from one place to another place.

So when the unit is set for cooling it will take heat from inside your home and move it outside. This process is accomplished by using chemical refrigerant which will condense and evaporate during the exchange of heat. The evaporator coil does get very cold from the refrigerant but when the process is working correctly it won’t create ice because as well as cooling, it is also warmed up as heat passes over.

If You See Ice It Needs Service

AC Man Houston | Ice On Your Air Conditioner in Houston TX When ice accumulates, there’s something going wrong with the system that you will need to have serviced. It’s possible that you have a clogged air filter. The air filters purpose in an air conditioner is there to protect the working parts in the unit. If it becomes clogged it’s unable to work efficiently and heat will not be pulled over the evaporator coil as it should. That leads to the coil becoming too cold and any moisture there will begin to freeze. The ice then creates a barrier that makes the evaporator coil unable to do its job.

You could have a dirty coil. As debris and dirt build up over time it can also make a barrier that prevents the coil from doing its job. Just like the ice, it will then trigger the moisture to freeze because the coil is too cold.

It may be a leak that’s allowing refrigerant to escape. Leaks are not normal and they shouldn’t be happening if everything is as it should be. If you’ve noticed that your refrigerant levels have reduced it could lead to your compressor being damaged. This problem also reduces the unit’s ability to absorb heat on the evaporator coil.

Once ice starts accumulating on the coil it has to be serviced because otherwise, it will just continue to get worse. You don’t want to make the mistake of trying to scrape the ice off because that doesn’t solve the problem that creates the ice. That’s why you’ll need to call on a professional to fix the problem.

If you’re in the Houston area and want to schedule a quality air conditioning service tech for a consultation, all you need to do is call AC Man Air Conditioning And Heating today.

How Houston’s Humidity “Makes It Rain”

Posted by acman on June 21, 2017

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:

Financial 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

Posted by acman on June 21, 2017

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 Houston There 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!