Winter or summer, you want your home to be consistently comfortable. Uneven home heating in the winter and uneven home cooling in the summer can be miserable. If own vinyl records, musical instruments, and other temperature-sensitive items, these inconsistencies can damage valuable items. Fortunately, solutions are available. [Read more…]
What Is the Best Heating System for a New Build?
When you build a house, you get a fresh start in a way that you don’t get from even an extensive remodeling. You don’t have to worry about existing ductwork or baseboard heat, how to remove a giant, old boiler, etc., and you’re free to choose any fuel source you want. Yet that freedom to choose can be overwhelming so let’s look at the best options for a home heating system. [Read more…]
New Home Owner Series: What is HVAC?
HVAC is the term for the various systems used to heat and cool a building as well as move air through the building. HVAC can be a single system or individual systems for the different functions, whether they work together or not. For example, HVAC can entail both a furnace and a ductless air conditioning system or a single heat pump system, or any other combination of heating and cooling components. [Read more…]
New Home Owner Series: Why Is My AC Leaking Water?
As the weather gets warmer, you want your air conditioning ready and working whenever you need it. A little beginning of the season preventative care and maintenance goes a long way to keep your AC running well.
In this installment of our new homeowner series, we’re going to tackle a common question – a leaking air conditioner.
Why Is Water Leaking From My Air Conditioner?
If the “leak” is outside, the first thing to check is if the air conditioner or HVAC unit really is leaking. Condensation is a normal byproduct of using an air conditioner, but not everyone – especially new homeowners – realizes that. More than one new homeowner has used their AC, turned it off to leave the house, and then, when they found a wet spot on the sidewalk or path below their air conditioner, assumed it was a problem.
Common Reasons Why Your AC is Leaking:
- Disconnected Drain Line
If you installed your air conditioner yourself or if your AC or HVAC was incorrectly installed, the drain line might not be connected. Another issue could be that it was connected but not tightly so vibrations from using the air conditioner jiggled it loose. - Cracked Condenser Drain Pan
The drip pan goes under the evaporator coils, collecting the moisture from the coils. A cracked pan can be the source of a leak because the water isn’t diverting properly. - Clogged Drain Line
A clogged line is probably the most common reason for air conditioner leaks, Dirt, debris, rust, algae, etc. can all cause clogs. - Clogged Air Filter
Frozen coils can be a byproduct of a clogged air filter. When they thaw, it creates a leak. - Condenser Pump Problems
If the condenser pump becomes dirty or fails, that can cause water leaks. - Low Refrigerant
Insufficient refrigerant can lead to frost build-up on the condenser coils which then causes a leak. - Outside Is Too Cold
Running your air conditioner when it’s too cool outside can cause ice to build-up on the coils and leak later.
Should I Turn Off My Leaking AC?
Yes, if your air conditioner is leaking, turn it off before investigating the cause of the problem. If you keep letting it run, the compressor can fail, which is an expensive repair or replacement. Also, depending upon where the leak is exactly, water could run into an electrical socket, causing an electrical short or fire.
Is an AC Leaking Water Dangerous?
A leaking air conditioner can be dangerous, yes. If the leak is ignored or goes unnoticed, the water can cause structural damage. Leaking water can cause even more dangerous problems if it runs toward electrical outlets or devices.
If the leak involves refrigerant, it can be quite different. While far less likely, a refrigerant leak can become quite dangerous very quickly if it evaporates and turns into a gas.
Tragar Keeps You Cool
Let Tragar help you stay cool this summer by keeping your cooling system well maintained. An ounce of prevention saves headaches and higher repair costs later. Tragar’s HVAC experts will take care of it. Contact us today.
New Home Owner Series: Ways to Save on Utility Costs
Utility costs frequently surprise new homeowners. While smart home buyers research utility costs in their area so they can properly plan a budget, the actual costs are frequently higher. Even if the buyer asked the seller for examples of their utility costs during negotiations, lifestyle differences and temperature comfort preferences could increase costs by 25 percent or more. [Read more…]
New Home Owner Series: AC Start-Up Guide
After an unseasonably warm winter and early spring, you’ll be needing your air conditioner sooner than ever. As a new homeowner facing your first spring, you might be asking, “How do I prepare my air conditioner for the summer?” Starting your air conditioning for the season involves more than just pressing a button. Actually, you can just press a button and ignore maintenance, but it raises the risk of inefficiency, poor air quality, and breakdown. [Read more…]
New Home Owners Series: Biofuel vs. Regular Heating Oil
Oil delivery never used to have choices except for the company used. Heating oil was heating oil, and what you got from one company was basically the same as you got from another company. [Read more…]
New Home Owner Series: What To Do If Your Pipes Burst
As a new homeowner, your first winter involves learning the quirks of your furnace and heating system. While burst pipes are a possible known risk if you have a heating failure, several factors can lead to either a burst pipe or a frozen and then burst pipe. [Read more…]
New Home Owner Series: Winter Storm Preparedness
Winter isn’t just staying inside where it’s warm when you’re a homeowner. Extreme cold, nor’easters, snow squalls, sleet, snow and high winds can damage your new home or just make life miserable. Let’s tackle some of the most common questions we receive about winter storm prep from our customers, especially the new homeowners. [Read more…]
New Home Owner Series: Common Winter Plumbing Issues
Winter plumbing problems are the worst and probably scare homeowners the most, not just new homeowners. Leaks can cause tremendous amounts of damage. Fortunately, a bit of knowledge and planning can prevent problems for both new and established homeowners. [Read more…]
