Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair or Replacement

Summer is just around the corner and many of you are trying to make the decision to either replace your AC now or see if your air conditioner will last through another summer.  There are many factors that go into making that decision.  Older systems are out of warranty, certain parts are not as readily available as in prior summers and the cost of parts and new systems are continuing to rise like everything else these days.   

Do a little research now and save yourself headaches this summer.   When you purchase a car, appliance or other major household item you get estimates, look at warranties and plan for large purchases.  In the event you do have a complete breakdown this summer at least you will know what the costs are for a new system air conditioning system compared to paying for an expensive repair on an old inefficient HVAC system.  Peace of mind is invaluable in situations like this, especially when your thermostat is rising above 90 degrees on a hot July day. 

Let’s face it, in Florida you may be able to do without air conditioning through the winter, but once May hits there are not many of us that want to spend their days or nights without the cool comfort of our AC systems.    

When thinking about replacing your air conditioning system, consider these factors. 

• Know the correct size. One of the myths we hear when customers replace theirs systems is that “Bigger is Better” and will cool faster and use less energy.  Installing a system too big for your home will cause short-cycling.  This means that your unit will cool your home-space too quickly, switch off and turn on again when need be. This vicious cycle will not allow your AC system to run continuously for the time it requires to dehumidify your air and filter it properly. This will result in your home feeling humid, an no one wants a humid, sticky feeling home or a high energy bill.  Also see our article on "Short-Cycling". 

• Know your budget. Getting estimates while your system is still running gives you time to decide when the time arrives to replace your AC system if you want to finance, use low interest credit cards, PACE financing or cash.  You can also get an idea of when rebates are available from manufacturers, usually Spring and Fall depending on the system.  Planning for these types of expenses is always better than a “surprise” expense for your home.   Find financing options here.

• Duct work inspection.  At the same time as your HVAC estimate, get your ducts inspected too.  If your ducts are in need of repair or may not be the correct size for a new system, this would be the ideal time to find this out.  Installing a new AC system with a faulty duct system would obviously not be an ideal situation.  You may be able to have your ducts repaired before a new AC system is installed and plan those two expenses separately. 

Taking care of your AC system is essential for it’s longevity.  Our contract customers already know the benefit of having preventative maintenance done twice a year, and on the rare occasion your system does break down, we are there 24/7/365 with no after hours or overtime charges—ever.   

A few things you should never do- 

• Don’t wait to repair your AC system.  Some homeowners believe they are saving money by holding off on repairs. Broken or failing parts can quickly wear down other parts in your system which can increase the risk for a total-breakdown.  

• Forget routine maintenance. We had one customer recently call us “pests” because we call and schedule your AC preventative maintenance when you are on our maintenance program.  We are not trying to be pests.  We want you to keep your system running efficiently all year.  And for those of you that have warranties on your system the manufacturer requires you to have routine maintenance done, or they (not us) may void your warranty.   

• Never wait until your system has a total-breakdown to get information on new systems, estimates and lead times on installations.  Now more than ever it’s important to plan when you would like to have your new AC installed instead of being told it may be a week or more for your new equipment to come in, especially in summer. 

Have more questions?  Email us at info@4SeasonsAC.com or call us at 941-548-4216 to schedule your free no-obligation estimate today and see how much you can save with current Spring Rebates and Incentives up to $2,550—limited time only. 

Why is my AC unit leaking water?

This is a common question we get from our customers especially during Florida summers, why is my AC leaking water? There are several reasons your HVAC system is leaking water in your garage, or worse, inside your home or attic.

The first thing you need to do is turn your AC’s thermostat to the off position. This will shut down your air conditioning system so that you don’t do further damage to your home or garage area.

Why does your air conditioner drip or leak water excessively? There are several reasons that this can happen, the most common of which are listed below.

While your system is running it will produce small amounts of condensation. How much water comes from your air conditioning system depends on several factors, i.e., thermostat settings and the temperature outside.

Small amounts of water near your condensate drainpipe are to be expected. If it is extremely hot and humid, you will likely see more water leaking than average. A small puddle beneath your condensing unit (outside unit) is more than likely the result of your system operating normally.

Four Seasons Air finds this to be the most common cause of water leaking from your air conditioning system into your home or garage.

Air conditioner drain lines can get clogged with dirt, sludge, debris and yes, even lizards that crawl into the drain line and get stuck. Other culprits that can clog your AC drain line are over-grown grass and weeds, make sure to clear weeds from around your drain line often.

If your AC drain line backs up into your drain pan, it should trigger a float switch which will automatically shut down your HVAC system. Float switches help to prevent water overflowing the AC drain pan and creating potential water damage to your home or garage. Make sure that you have a float switch installed and it is working properly, especially before summer!  To help avoid an emergency HVAC repair, maintain your AC drain line regularly.

On the drain line coming out of your air handler there should be a plug inside of a T shaped PVC pipe with a wire attached to it.  DON'T pull it out by the wire, pull the plug up and off, peek inside.  Is it filled with water?  That means your air conditioner drain line is clogged.  You can try to vacuum it out with a dry-vac and then run a solution of bleach through the drain line.  Remember to put a pan at the end of the drain outside so you don't get bleach water on your lawn, that's a potential pet hazard!  If you would rather not attempt this yourself, give Four Seasons Air a call today to schedule your ac service call 941-548-4216.

An air conditioner drain pan, one that is a little older, can rust from years of water and humidity laying on the bottom of the drain pan. The drain pan is underneath your air handler. On older units, this air conditioner drain pan can become cracked and leak water onto your ceiling, garage floor or floor of your home dependent on where your air handler is located. (attic, garage or closet) 

Air conditioner drain pans are rarely repaired, especially rusted ones. More than likely your AC drain pan will have to be replaced by your air conditioning professional.

When was the last time you changed your filter? A dirty AC air filter can restrict airflow over the evaporator coils in the air handler. When this happens, the coil gets too cold and freezes over. When the ice melts, excess moisture flows into the condensate pan and causes it to overflow. 

Turn your system off by switching the thermostat setting from AUTO or ON to OFF. Locate where your AC filter is located, usually in the return, on the backside of a closet door if your air handler is in a closet, or by the air handler itself if installed in a garage. Make sure that you have the proper size new filter on hand and that the MERV rating matches what the manufacturer of your air conditioning system recommends. For more information on filter sizes and MERV ratings click here. Change your filter.  Turn your system back on, and wait 5 to 10 minutes, is it cooling properly now?  If not, give us a call.

Keep a supply of filters on hand and check your filters every thirty days. You can order filters online at Discount Filters. 

If you have a small leak this can cause refrigerant (freon) to escape causing low refrigerant levels. If you turn your system off at the thermostat and then go to where your air handler is, you can sometimes hear a bubbling or hissing sound. If you hear bubbling or a hissing sound, you probably have a leak in the evaporator coil. 

When this happens, the coil will freeze, and you will notice considerably warmer air coming from your air conditioning vents. Once the ice starts to melt, it drips into the drain pan and drains to the outside of your home through the drainpipe.  If you suspect you have a leak or notice ice on your evaporator coil, turn your system off immediately and call us. Keep your system turned off as an air conditioning technician cannot work on HVAC systems that are frozen. 

Low refrigerant levels are something that can't be done by most homeowners, give us a call to schedule an appointment.  Four Seasons Air Conditioning services Venice, Englewood, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda and most of SW Florida, call today.