My Air Conditioner Is Dripping: What Do I Do?

In many states across the US, air conditioning units get to take a break during winter. This is because colder temperatures outside make it easier to keep their houses cool.

Florida rarely gets such a break. Our average daily temperatures reach lows of just 57°F during January. With such balmy temperatures throughout the year, Floridian air conditioners must remain in excellent shape. 

Yet, homeowners often struggle with how to repair issues with their air conditioners. For example, you may not know what to do when your air conditioner is dripping. 

If so, this guide is for you! We’ll explore what to do when your AC is leaking so you can prevent worse problems from developing. So let’s jump right in, shall we?

Check Your Air Filters When Your Air Conditioner Is Dripping

A leaky AC unit often stems from dirty air filters. When your air filter becomes clogged with dirt and grime, it restricts airflow around your evaporator coil. This airflow causes the coil to freeze over time.

When your coil freezes, it causes excess condensation to build in your system. When the coil begins to melt, it causes your drain pan to overflow. 

Fortunately, you can often resolve this issue by replacing your air filters. Doing this every thirty days can prevent a leaking air conditioning unit issue. 

Clogged Drain Lines

The primary cause of leaking AC units is a clogged drain line. This line takes condensation outside of your house. 

However, this line can become clogged by dust, dirt, and other particles. This clogging can block the water and prevent the system from disposing of it. 

Check your unit’s pan if you’re wondering whether clogged drain lines have caused your leak. If water is pooling in the pan, you likely have a clogged drain line. 

There is a DIY solution to this issue. In many cases, homeowners can remove the debris clogging their lines with a wet/dry vacuum. Usually, these devices provide enough power to suck out the grime. 

However, consider calling professionals if a vacuum can’t do the job. Professional teams have the necessary equipment and experience to ensure your AC unit remains in good condition. 

Low Refrigerant Levels in Your Unit

Another source to check when your air conditioning unit is leaking water is its refrigerant levels. When these levels get low, it can lower the pressure inside your system. This decreased pressure can cause your evaporator coil to freeze.

This issue causes a similar problem to dirty air filters. However, its consequences can be much more severe. Refrigerant leak repairs can become costly if left unattended.

It’s best to contact professionals if you notice refrigerant leaks. Otherwise, you could face much higher repair bills.

Contact Us for AC Repairs

It’s best to take immediate action when your air conditioner is dripping. When you notice this issue, check whether it could come from your air filter or drain line. Doing so can help you prevent the damage from worsening. 

However, if the issue is more severe, contact our team! We have years of experience helping Floridian homes stay cool. 

You can also schedule routine HVAC tune-ups with us to enhance your AC maintenance. Contact us today to schedule an appointment!

HVAC Tune-up Checklist: What Does It Consist Of?

Strange noises, an unusual smell, and rooms that never reach the set temperature. These are all signs that your HVAC system needs a tune-up. 

If you’ve never scheduled one before, you might be wondering what an HVAC tune-up means and what to expect. This guide walks you through what you need to know and why you need them. 

What to Expect From an HVAC Tune-Up

You rely on your heating and cooling system to feel more comfortable at home or in your commercial building year-round. It also filters the air and can help improve indoor air quality. 

If you neglect regular maintenance, your system can start to break down and struggle to run efficiently. This can lead to all sorts of problems, such as higher energy bills, a higher risk of carbon monoxide poisoning, and a lack of air filtration. 

It’s a good idea to get an inspection and tune-up prior to the heating and cooling season. Technicians will look for wear and tear, suggest changes, make repairs, and more. 

An HVAC tune-up generally consists of the following: 

• Filter inspection
• Cleaning burners
• Cleaning AC components
• Checking the blower belt and the power motor
• Checking carbon monoxide levels
• Adjusting refrigerant levels
• Checking for wear
• Lubricating parts
• Checking pressure and temperature
• Testing thermostat and calibrating
• Testing the emergency shut off
• Inspecting the ductwork
• Looking at the safety controls
• Cleaning the drain line and trap
• Looking for leaks
• Tightening loose electrical connections
• Inspecting the heat exchanger
• Checking electrical wiring for ratings and connections

A professional technician will come to inspect and clean your HVAC system, ensuring that everything is working as it should. This provides several benefits, such as peace of mind knowing you’ll catch issues early. Plus, many warranties require an annual maintenance plan of some sort to remain active. 

When to Get an HVAC Tune-Up

So, what’s the best HVAC tune-up timeline? We recommend scheduling HVAC maintenance at least once a year. That includes an inspection of both your central AC system and the furnace. 

For heat pump systems, it’s a good idea to have them maintained every six months. 

Of course, if you suspect something is wrong with your heating or cooling system, be sure to schedule repairs as soon as possible. Strange sounds or smells are signs something might be broken.

Regular maintenance can spot issues early on that will reduce the chances of your system wearing down prematurely.  

Our checklist provides a general idea of what to expect, but you can always ask the HVAC company to learn more. It’s also a good idea to ask about how you can care for your HVAC system and what tasks a homeowner can do to keep it running smoothly. For instance, removing debris or cleaning around the AC unit. 

Stay Comfortable All Year

An HVAC tune-up consists of a complete inspection of your furnace and central AC system. If a technician sees anything amiss, they’ll adjust it and bring it to your attention.

Natal Air Conditioning has all of your tune-up, repair, and installation services covered! Send us a message to learn more about our services or to schedule an appointment. 

AC Unit Maintenance: Don’t Patch It – Fix It!

Did you know 91% of homes in the U.S. own an air conditioner? Remember that figure next time you try to buy parts for a broken AC, especially during the summer.

You can avoid the scramble to find parts by scheduling regular AC unit maintenance. Routine maintenance also helps extend the service life of your unit.

What about those DIY patch jobs many influencers on social media recommend?

Sure, there are some DIY AC maintenance projects you can tackle. But you want reliable advice, not information put out by someone trying to make a few dollars on social media.

Read more here about why DIY repairs may create more significant problems than what you’re trying to solve.

How You Can Maintain Your AC Unit 

DIY AC maintenance should prevent future breakdowns and minimize the cost of repairs. The maintenance you can do without calling an HVAC company includes:

• Changing the air filter
• Clearing debris from around the outside unit
• Cleaning the thermostat
• Changing thermostat batteries
• Quick monthly inspection of the AC unit

None of these require specialized tools or training. All go a long way towards ensuring your air conditioner is ready to keep your home comfortable during the cooling season.

Should I Patch an AC Unit?

The older an AC gets, the more likely you’ll start experiencing minor issues. Maybe the unit doesn’t run as efficiently and has trouble keeping up on those blazing hot summer days.

Naturally, it’s tempting to fiddle around with the various components of your AC when it’s not working correctly. And it feels great when you can solve the problem on your own.

Have you ever patched a tire? Perhaps you got a few more miles out of it, but you only applied a Band-Aid and likely replaced the tire anyway. 

It’s a similar situation when you do a patch repair on your AC. You end up with a temporary solution that usually costs you more money.

Why DIY AC Unit Maintenance May Cost More

Many DIY AC repairs don’t cost a fortune. Some even utilize tools and materials that you have in your garage. You’ll likely end up paying more in the long run.

If you’ve ever checked out what’s inside an HVAC tech’s truck, you’ll see it stocked with specialized tools. Those tools are unique to the HVAC trade and not found in the average homeowner’s toolbox.

Even if they have a few tools, most homeowners don’t know how to fix an AC unit. They get on social media, watch a few videos, and away they go!

AC units contain multiple mechanical components. One mistake could turn your minor repair into an AC replacement during a DIY patch job. You may also void your existing warranty.

An HVAC technician brings the tools and expertise to fix rather than bandage a broken AC unit.

We Can Fix Your AC Unit 

A qualified technician specializes in AC troubleshooting. They fix whatever problems they find—no Band-Aids needed. A fix always works better than a patch job.

The experts at Natal Air Conditioning USA understand keeping costs down. They also know it’s better to fix problems than apply several temporary solutions.

Contact us today for AC unit maintenance or repair. Our mission is to keep you and your home comfortable.

Why It’s Important to Regularly Change AC Filters

The indoor air you breathe is as important as the air outside. AC filters are essential to keeping your home air-conditioning system working correctly. But how often should ac filters be changed?

Replacing home AC filters regularly improves your indoor air quality, helps maintain your AC system, and saves you money. You can buy AC filters online, and they aren’t even that expensive! 

Here’s why it’s essential to change your air filters regularly. 

AC Filters Improve Indoor Air Quality

Dirty air inside your home can cause all kinds of health problems, including dizziness, respiratory diseases, and even cancer. Regularly changing your home AC filters can help allergens out of the air and help you breathe easier in your own home. 

How often do AC filters need to be changed to help improve indoor air quality? You should change your home AC filters every 30 to 90 days to rid the air of pet dander, dust, and pollen. You will see a significant improvement in how you and your family breathe.

You want the air inside your home to be clear and clean. Why fight allergens with medication that makes you feel differently? Changing your AC filters can help improve your life.  

Maintain Your AC System

When dirt and debris clog your AC system, it does not run efficiently? How often should AC filters be changed? When you can visibly see the dirt, it’s time for a change!

Changing your home AC filters means your system will clog up less. It may also mean your system won’t stop during the hottest day of the year.

In considering ‘how often do AC filters need to be changed,’ it’s essential to think about increasing the lifespan of your system. You want it to last long! Maintaining your AC system with the best AC filters means you’ll reduce airflow problems and keep your system running in tip-top shape.

Saves You Money

Saving money is a top priority of any homeowner. Grocery bills, home insurance, and landscaping bills can all add up quickly. When you buy AC filters online and change them regularly, it can save you money.

When your appliances run efficiently, thanks to the best AC filters, you save money on your electric bills. Your system will not work as hard when dirt and debris clog the system. 

And with an efficient system, you won’t spend money on frequent repairs. Calling an HVAC repair company can cost you quite a bit of money, especially if you call them on the weekend. If your system doesn’t work correctly, a repair company may recommend replacing your entire system, which can run into the thousands! 

Reasons to Change Your AC Filters Regularly

Regularly changing your AC filters means improving your indoor quality, maintaining your AC system, and saving money over the long term. Doing so every 30 to 90 days can have so many benefits. 

Why wait? Change your air filters today and begin improving the indoor air quality for your family! Contact us to let us help you breathe easier today!