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Is Your AC Drain Line Clogging Your Comfort?

Hello to our neighbors here in Fort Worth! We know that summer here in the Lone Star State can be absolutely oppressive. When it’s sweltering outside we trust our air conditioners to keep us cool, comfortable and offer some respite from the soaring temperatures beyond. Just like when you get a workout, an air conditioner can build up a sweat when it’s doing its thing, and that water needs somewhere to go… hence the AC drain line. But if your drain line is clogged your unit’s going to shut down – and nobody needs that in the middle of summer. Don’t worry, we’ve got your back. In this blog we’re going to take a look at how a drain line gets clogged and, most importantly, show you some ways you can prevent it from happening in the first place. So sit back, relax, sip some tea, and read on!

First, Let’s Take A Look At The Culprits

Before we look at ways to keep your drain from getting clogged, it’s important to know how the clogs happen in the first place. As we said above, moisture accumulates in your system while it works, especially when it’s working extra hard during all this heat. That moisture should be going out through the drain line but there are several ways this process can go awry.

Dust & Debris

Dust, pollen and other airborne particles get pulled into your AC system while it runs. When they mix up with moisture in your drain line, they can create a sludge that clogs things up.

Mold & Algae

The moisture in your drain lines makes a perfect environment for the growth of mold and algae, particularly when it’s really humid outside. The more these invaders multiply the more likely they create a blockage.

Storms & Flooding

If you’ve got heavy rain or flooding in your area, it can not only fill your drain line up to overflowing, but it can also carry other things like leaves, grass clippings or any other yard debris into your drain line, creating a blockage.

Now, How Can You Stop Them?

So those are some of the normal troublemakers – although that is by no means a comprehensive list. Basically, you want to do everything you can to prevent anything from getting into your AC drain line that isn’t supposed to be there. And here are some ways that you can do that.

Clean Your Air Filters

You may not think that air filters have anything to do with your AC drain line, but as we said above, dust and dirt that’s in your air goes through your air conditioning system and if it’s not caught by the filters will likely end up in the drain line. Your filters are the first line of defense not only for your indoor air quality but for keeping your drain line clear.

Flush The Drain Line

Some everyday household items can help keep your drain line clean. You can use vinegar, hydrogen peroxide, bleach, or even just hot water to flush out your line. One safety tip – don’t ever use vinegar and bleach at the same time, as the mixture will generate potentially deadly chlorine gas.

Keep Your Humidity Under Control

Ironically, though it’s your drain line’s job to carry moisture, moisture is also its greatest enemy. Moisture creates the right conditions for mold and algae growth or mixes with dirt and other pollutants to clog things up. This can be exacerbated if you have high humidity levels in your home, so make sure that your home is properly insulated and use a dehumidifier if your levels are still too high.

Get Professional Maintenance

So you love watching YouTube videos that help you find DIY solutions to problems in your home. That’s great! But never underestimate the power of having a professional tune-up done on your AC system. Our technicians here at Comfort Experts can spot potential issues and correct them before they result in damaging blockages.

Let Us Take Care Of Things For You

Look, we understand. Your life is busy, and checking over your air conditioning system isn’t always going to be at the top of your priority list. But a little prevention can go a long way. A clogged AC drain can cause water damage or even mold growth inside your home – and nobody wants that. So if you think that you’ve got a drain clog, or there are conditions in your home that make one likely, give us a call here at Comfort Experts. Our pros are here to help sort things out and make sure that you can enjoy worry-free cooling all summer long. Message us online or call us at (817) 341-5149. Remember, a well-maintained AC is a happy AC, and a happy AC means a happy home for you and your family.

Why Your Room Just Won’t Cool Down

In Fort Worth, TX, it’s vital to have a working air conditioning unit. If you’ve tried cranking up your AC but find your room or home still won’t cool down, you may have a problem with your air conditioner. 

Broken AC Unit

Of course, the most obvious culprit behind improper or weak cooling is a broken air conditioner. 

Over the years, our air conditioner units have sustained a significant amount of wear and tear. Think about how often you use your air conditioner, and then think back to how often you have a professional HVAC professional check your AC for problems. 

If you haven’t had a technician inspect and clean your AC unit recently, your air conditioner can start to wane in productivity. 

Small AC 

Sometimes Fort Worth, TX, HVAC technicians can fit your air conditioner wrong, leading to a unit that is too small for your home’s cooling needs. 

When this happens, a lot of air gets lost during the transition as your AC struggles to create enough cool air and keep it circulating inside your home. 

As a result, your home won’t receive the robust cooling temperatures it would get with a properly fitted air conditioner.

While your AC may be able to overcompensate at first, the strain of having to work in overdrive just to fill your home with average cooling temperatures can wear your AC unit down. 

After a few years, you’ll notice a significant decline in your AC’s cooling abilities. 

Bad Ductwork and Clogged Filters

It’s easy to underestimate our ductwork. After all, it’s just a few vents above our head. 

On the contrary, these complicated networks of tubes and vents are paramount to proper cooling as they move cool air throughout your home. If you have one room that stays at stubborn hot temperatures, the issue could be with your ductwork or vents.

Additionally, your ductwork has vents that collect dirt, dust, and debris from your air as it is pulled through the ducts. 

When these filters become clogged, it’s harder for cool air to pass through them into your room and home. 

Consider an air filter replacement to keep your ductwork nice and clear. 

Too Many Appliances 

The reason why your Fort Worth, TX, home won’t cool down could be as simple as you have too many appliances working simultaneously. 

If it’s a hot day, consider limiting oven use as all of the hot air it produces directly counteracts your air conditioner’s work as it tries to cool your house down.

Next Steps

It can be a real drag when your AC unit struggles to cool your Fort Worth, TX, home. Luckily, you can take some easy steps to improve your cooling. Consider replacing air filters or turning off appliances like ovens to improve cooling.

If you have a broken air conditioner, you may need to call an HVAC technician for air conditioning services and AC replacements. 

Call Comfort Experts, Inc. for the best AC replacements, air conditioning services, AC repairs, installations, and more! 

How to Hide Your Outdoor AC Unit

How to Hide Your Outdoor AC Unit

Your outdoor AC unit is large, bulky, and relatively unmovable. You may look at your unit and wonder: “Is there any way to hide this machine?”

There is! You don’t have to have your AC unit out in the open. While it needs to be in an open area with access to the air, there are some things you can do to enhance or remove the attention from the unit itself.

Strategic Location

One option that doesn’t require adding barriers would be to find the right location for your AC, ideally in a place accessible, yet out of the way. There may be a corner of your home exterior that is a bit hidden, or you may have some shrubbery that would be a good block.

The ideal time to do this would be while installing a new system, but you can also consult with your HVAC technician to see what moving your unit would entail.

Fences & Barriers

A common way to hide an AC unit is to use a fence or other barrier to block or change the view to the area. You can install a fence around the unit to both block it visually, as well as keep out people and animals.

You can also plant shrubs or trees around the unit, but don’t let them get less than a couple of feet from the sides, as leaves or branches can get stuck in the grills.

Don’t Completely Cover the Unit

An important reminder whenever trying to add a barrier around your AC is to avoid covering the entire unit. The top of the unit, where the fan is, needs to expel warm air in order to work properly. And the sides of the unit need to breathe as well, so there needs to be adequate airflow no matter what type of barrier you use.

We’ll Restore Your Comfort

You need a team you trust to help manage your home heating and cooling systems. Contact Comfort Experts Inc. today at (817) 341-5149 to learn more about the many ways we can help your home stay comfortable.

How Do Air Conditioners Work

For most of us air conditioning systems either work, or they don’t work. How they work remains a mystery we don’t concern ourselves with. It’s a little like flipping on a light switch. We can get light without understanding how a light bulb or electricity itself works. The difference is, when a light bulb goes out, we can usually diagnose and fix the problem ourselves. Air conditioning systems are a different matter, and we have other files here explaining what to do and what not to do if you have an air conditioning problem.

Still, it never hurts to know the basics of how air conditioning works.

How Your Air Conditining System Works

The principles of air conditioning have been known for well over a century. They were originally applied by Willis Carrier when he invented the first air conditioning system in 1902. We’re a long way from the basic system he developed, and like everything in today’s world, air conditioning has been refined to make it more efficient and more effective.

Electronics have been enhanced sufficiently to allow many air conditioning system tasks to be handled by computer modules. Just as the days of shade-tree mechanics have passed, installing and working on air conditioning systems requires training and education. Despite all that, the basic principles have remained the same.

No matter what brand of air conditioning you have, all systems use the same basic concepts and procedures to cool your home. That’s because the basic goal of air conditioning is to cool your home, and it does that by removing heat. Let’s go into more detail on that idea.

In warm and hot months, your home has no difficulty producing, accumulating, and retaining hot air. It comes in through your windows and doors. It radiates down from your attic. It spreads from your kitchen when you cook. Your electronic devices (televisions, computers, and so forth) create heat when they’re turned on. Your own body temperature gets in on the act. Your furniture absorbs heat and holds onto it.

In the past, homes were designed with this in mind. They had higher ceilings because hot air rises. Their interior design allowed outside air to enter at one end of the house and be drawn inside so it could exit on the other side. Windows were larger, and they could be opened widely. Large, expansive porches and nearby trees provided shade to cool the air before it got in the house. In fact, even with the windows closed, it was possible to tell if it was a windy day because homes weren’t as tightly sealed as they are today. Homes were typically painted white to reflect sunlight, and those expansive porches allowed the household to gather outside as the evening progressed and the air within the house cooled.

In drier climates, evaporative coolers pulled outside air through water-soaked filters that cooled it as it was blown into the home. Those type of units are still used effectively in desert areas. Unfortunately, North Texas does not allow them to be very effective.

So what makes modern air conditioning work?

We’ve established that your home is naturally hot in the summer. Air conditioning draws the heat from that air and then blows it across cold pipes called evaporator coils. These coils contain a very cold liquid refrigerant that absorbs the heat from the air.

This refrigerant changes to a very hot gas after absorbing all that heat, and it is subsequently sent outside the home to the compressor which allows the hot gas to release its heat and revert to a cold liquid. That cold liquid is sent back into your home to collect more heat. This cycle continues for as long as your thermostat determines the necessary for your home temperature to cool to your desired comfort level. The efficiency of your air conditioning system, allows it to do all this without costing a lot of money. In fact, the cost of running your system is one of the ways you can tell if it’s doing a good job. If your bill goes up unexpectedly, there may be a problem requiring attention from a professional.

Most air conditioners also have an air filter. The filter is usually found where the ductwork starts. As the filter removes particles from the air, it gets dirty and clogged. This reduces the efficiency of the system, and the filter either needs to be cleaned or completely replaced. The filter ensures the air conditioner and the air traveling through it is as clean as possible. To keep your system efficient and working properly, filters should be changed regularly.

Obviously, there is a lot more to this process, but this is the basic idea. Your conditioning utilizes a very complex system to accomplish this basic task, and that system needs to be maintained regularly to ensure it remains effective and efficient. Always have this maintenance done by a qualified professional at least once a year.

R22 Refrigerant: What You Need to Know

R-22 Refrigerant and Fort Worth TX

If your AC unit was produced before 2010, you may be familiar with R22, a type of refrigerant used to keep the air in your air conditioning cool. This has historically been an important component of AC systems, becoming the industry leader after its release in the 1950s. In recent years, environmental regulations have changed and R22 has become a topic of much discussion and change. Here is everything Comfort Experts wants you to know about the substance and how new regulations affect you.

The Problem with R22

In the 1980s, it became clear that certain substances used on Earth were depleting the ozone layer. In order to hedge the side effects of this depletion, the Environmental Protection Agency and many international counterparts developed the Montreal Protocol, a series of phase-outs for many ozone-depleting agents. This included many refrigerants, with R22 being one of the most severe substances listed. The phasing out of R22 production and imports began in 2003, with both activities being prohibited by 2010. Because many current, working systems still required R22, AC repair services were allowed to continue its use in service of those situations. In these cases, all R22 was only able to be sold to certified technicians.

As of 2020, all production and imports of R22 will be eliminated. The substance will only be available if it has been recycled, and for existing air conditioners.

Using R22 Today

Despite this ban going into effect, many people do still have AC systems that require R22 and may work for more years. Because they are older, these AC systems are also more likely to experience leaks and require repair. This means there is still a demand for R22, even though supply is very limited. Because of the scarcity of R22 and additional regulations on recycling refrigerant, R22 can be fairly expensive to purchase. Because homeowners cannot purchase R22 themselves, providers take on the overhead associated with importing, record keeping, recycling, and destruction of R22. This cost is typically passed on to homeowners who need to maintain their existing AC systems.

R22 Refrigeratnt FAQs

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What Are My Options?

If your AC unit was produced prior to 2010, it is more than likely utilizing R22. Because the average lifespan of an air conditioner is 10-15 years, many of these units are likely nearing the time they will need to be replaced anyway. Current systems use the more environmentally friendly R410a and you will not need to worry about R22 regulations. But if your system isn’t ready to be replaced, and you don’t want to pay high prices for using R22, you may have another choice. An AC repair expert can replace parts in your AC to make it compatible with a more modern, approved refrigerant. This can also be expensive and is not best practice, but can be done if your system is operating well.

Eventually, your AC will need to be replaced and the new units will be using R410a or another environmentally friendly option.

To schedule your service simply go to our booking page or call 817-341-5149
.

What Are MERV Air Filter Ratings?

It is common knowledge that you should change your air filter often.  The recommended amount of time is every three months.  Changing the air filters will increase the efficiency of your HVAC system as well as improve indoor air quality, or IAQ.  To take full advantage of all that air filters can do, you need to use the right one for your system.  But when you go to the store to get a new one, you are met with many sizes and options.  If you’re like most, you have no clue what the difference is.  Follow this handy guide to choosing air filters to find the one that is right for your air conditioning and heating system.

MERV Ratings

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and is a scale that is used to measure an air filter’s filtration system.  The ASHRAE, or American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers assign MERV ratings to air filters from 1 to 16 with 1 being at the low end of air filtration and 16 at the high end.

What Does MERV Measure?

Air filters are designed to block particles from entering the home and lowering indoor air quality.  MERV measures the smallest particle an air filter can block.  For example, the numbers 1 through 10 are lower-end filters that block particles that are 10 microns or bigger.  To give you perspective, a human hair is considered to be 50 microns in diameter.  The types of filters that usually fall within this rating are reusable filters or fiberglass spun filters.  Air filters rated 11 to 16 will filter out even smaller particles.  These air filters are the minimum recommendation for residential air filtration.  Air filters with these MERV ratings will filter out anything from mold and mildew particles to smoke particles that can be extremely harmful to breathe in.  Some high-end air filters can even block some harmful bacterial particles such as Legionella which can be detrimental to your health.  The bottom line is that if you want to improve your indoor air quality, you will invest in an air filter that has a higher MERV rating to filter out the most dust, debris, and particles as possible.

What Does This Mean for Military and Veterans?

If you serve our country in the military, your health is essential.  You want to have the highest air quality possible to ensure you stay healthy to perform your military duties to the utmost of your abilities.  For this reason, be sure to use high-quality air filters in your home.

Regular HVAC maintenance and regularly changing your high rated MERV air filters will go a long way towards improving the air you breathe.  Comfort Experts can help!  Schedule your regular maintenance with us as soon as possible.  We can also make air filter recommendations if you are unsure about what is best for your system.  Military personnel and veterans, ask about our discount.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ductless AC

For some types of homes, a ductless air conditioning system might be a more efficient choice to heat and cool the home than traditional central air conditioning. They are generally more affordable systems and they take up less space and are simpler to have installed. These reasons cause homeowners of older homes, people looking to heat and cool additions to the original structure, or even those who are interested in zoned heating and cooling to consider purchasing a ductless HVAC system for their home. It is important to be certain of this choice since it relates so closely to how comfortable you will be in your space. The professionals at Comfort Experts, Inc. are here to help answer your questions so you can make an informed investment in your heating and cooling system.

How Do These Systems Work?

Ductless AC systems recycle air and replace the space with heated or cooled air in a similar manner to traditional central air conditioning, just without the use of ductwork. The air handler instead helps to discard air and send air of a more favorable temperature through a mounted unit, usually near the ceiling.

How Much Do These Systems Cost?

The basic costs associated with the installation of new ductless heating and air system are for the labor, the cost of the outdoor unit, and the cost of however many indoor air handlers it is determined you need. The higher end of the cost to install a ductless HVAC system is generally near $5000, which is still significantly lower than a central AC system.

Will This System Last a Decent Length of Time?

Many of our customers seek to invest in and install a heating and air system that will last them as long as is possible. This is understandable since an HVAC system is a significant investment. With regular maintenance and without assuming exorbitant usage of the system, you can expect to have your ductless AC system for 20 years or more.

Is a Ductless AC System the Right Choice for My Home?

Ultimately, this decision is one that can only be made by you with the input of your trusted heating and air specialists at Comfort Experts, Inc. From our perspective, a ductless system might be the best choice for you if the following components are important to you:

  • Costs associated with a ductless system are low
  • Efficiency is the highest available – no energy loss like is experienced with ductwork
  • Zoned heating and cooling (adjusting the comfort level of individual rooms instead of the whole home) is important to you
  • You don’t have space or desire to make space for ductwork in your home
  • You prefer a quieter system than traditional central AC

Is Your AC Unit Making A Strange Noise?

There are a number of noises we’d all rather avoid when it comes to the machines that help power our homes comfortably. An off-putting sound resonating from your AC unit might be an indication that something is not quite right. If you hear any of these types of sounds, it would be a good idea to call our team to schedule a check-up for your AC system.

Whistling Noises

Typically, a whistle coming from your air conditioning unit tends to indicate that something in the system is preventing the proper amount of air from flowing through as it is meant to. A technician will be able to help you to discover what precisely is causing this sort of blockage. If the whistle is higher pitched and alarming, a refrigerant leak is probable, and you should waste no time in calling the Comfort Experts for assistance. Refrigerant is not a safe chemical to have to leak out of the confines of your AC system. Regardless of the source of your whistle, our team can help.

Buzzes, Bangs, Clangs, Hums, and Clanks

Hopefully, these descriptive sound words help you to place the sound you have heard coming from your AC unit! Any of these types of sounds are likely indicating some manner of loose parts inside your machine. The Comfort Experts would be happy to diagnose the precise location and cause of your loose part-related noise, and either put it back into place or repair/replace as needed.

Clicks and Buzzes

Sometimes clicking and buzzing noises coming from your air conditioner are demonstrating an issue with an electrical component in your AC unit. Electrical issues are generally simple for an experienced professional to resolve, but they aren’t simple enough that it is at all a bright idea for you to take the task on yourself. If you suspect that your AC unit has any sort of electrical failing occurring inside of it, don’t hesitate to call one of our licensed AC technicians to come out and run a proper diagnostic test on your system.

Squealing or Ratting

When there is an issue with a part of the blowing system of your air conditioning, squealing and/or rattling sounds can often be heard. Blowers and fans in the ductwork will likely exhibit this sort of noise when they are beginning to deteriorate. If your system is in need of a tune-up or a replacement of one of these components, our team members can help by evaluating the state of your AC parts and quoting you to repair or replace failing parts.

Most sounds start off as harmless indicators of a minor issue in the function of your AC unit. If you heed the warning of your system as it tries to warn you of an impending issue, you should be able to schedule routine maintenance in a timely fashion and avoid costly repairs. Sometimes, we don’t notice the sounds until something is more seriously out of whack in our system. In either case, Comfort Experts would love to aid you in making sure your heating and cooling systems are running expertly.

How Long Does an AC Unit Last?

Even with advancing technology and longer-lasting air conditioning units, they still are not made to last forever.  At some point, an AC unit will need to be repaired or even replaced.  But about how long will your air conditioning unit last before you must invest in a new one?

Wear and Tear on an AC Unit

While it would be nice to know just how long our air conditioner will last, it just isn’t possible to know an exact timeframe.  The more an air conditioner is used in the summer, the more wear and tear the unit will sustain, and the sooner it will need to be replaced.  A large unit might also “short-cycle” or turn on and off rapidly causing wear and tear on the unit’s compressor, the most costly part of an air conditioning unit. Maintenance is an important part of having a longer-lasting AC unit.  Homeowners that keep up with yearly maintenance on an air conditioner will see their unit outlast those that haven’t undergone any maintenance over the years.

Simply put, if you take care of your unit, it will need fewer AC repairs and will last longer.  Homeowners should call a professional to service an air conditioner annually.  Technicians will do a comprehensive check, looking at each part to see what is working great and what might need AC repairs.  While a unit can last an average of 12-17 years, be sure to listen to the air conditioner.  Is it grinding, whining, or rattling?  Is your home not cooling down like it used to?  If yes, it might be time to contact an AC repair technician.

Signs Your Unit Might Need to Be Replaced

Age is the most common sign that your air conditioner may need replacing.  Any unit over ten years old could need to be replaced in the next few years.  Often times, investing in a new unit is more cost-effective than putting money into repairs for a 10-15-year-old air conditioner.  If you are unsure of your unit’s age, call the manufacturer and give them your model and serial number.  They can provide you with the exact age of your AC unit.  Another sign your air conditioner might need to be replaced soon is the humidity level in your home.  The evaporator coil is responsible for extracting humidity from the air, and if you notice more humidity in the air, then it might not be doing its job.  This can be a sign that your unit is beginning to malfunction.  While AC repairs may be the answer, it might also be time to look into investing in a new air conditioning unit.

Cost of Older Units

Some homeowners are interested in replacing their older units to increase energy efficiency.  As units age, their Seasonal Energy Efficiency, or SEER numbers, decrease.  Each increment lost is about nine percent of lost energy.  With newer and more efficient units readily available, most would rather spend more money upfront on an energy-efficient unit and save on the cost of AC repair bills in the long run.  Whether you are looking to make AC repairs on an existing unit or replace an older unit, a professional technician is ready to help you.

Top AC Myths Debunked

With the internet so easily accessible, we have information at our fingertips anytime we want or need it.   But sometimes that information may not be right or accurate.  It is important to get your facts straight, especially when it comes to your air conditioner.  Going off of wrong information often does more harm than good.  So here are some more top ac myths debunked.

Adjusting the AC Temperature Does Absolutely Nothing

Adjusting the temperature to be set a little higher in the summer really does help.  Not only does it help save money on the monthly energy bill but it also keeps your AC unit from working too hard.  When your AC unit is working hard to keep up with a lower temperature in the house, it can lead to wear and tear much sooner, which may mean costly repair expenses.  Consider setting the temperature in your home higher at night as it begins to cool off a little and also during the day when you are out of the house.  Every little bit helps keep your AC running efficiently.  And who doesn’t love little extra savings each month?

An Energy Efficient Unit Is the Answer to All My Problems

An energy-efficient unit is great.  It will save you money on your bills, but there are also other factors to consider.  For instance, you must also think about what size of unit you are installing in your home.  A unit that is too small will have to work hard to cool your home while an oversized unit may short cycle.  It will turn off and on frequently and not properly cool the home.  Both of these problems will end up costing you extra expenses on energy bills.  So while an energy-efficient unit can be a wonderful investment, be sure to also consider the size you purchase.

Air Conditioners Are Only for Cooling the Home

Cooling off your house and making it a comfortable place to be is only part of the job of an AC unit.  Air conditioners also have a job of reducing the humidity in your home.  If your house was cooler but still had a significant amount of humidity, it would not feel like it had cooled off much.  Some newer units even come with a drying function.  Reducing the humidity inside also makes it feel cooler.  So be sure your AC is working properly by both lower the temperature and reducing humidity inside for an ideal temperature in the house.

If at any point, you realize your AC unit is not functioning properly, whether it is short cycling, working too hard, or not removing humidity, contact the expert HVAC technicians at Comfort Experts.  Ensuring that your unit is properly maintained each year will reduce the wear and tear so that it can last for many, many years.  For a yearly maintenance inspection, give us a call today.

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