Clogged AC Drain: 4 Signs That You Need To Call A Professional
August 25th, 2021Are you dealing with a clogged AC drain? If your air conditioner isn’t operating at maximum efficiency or perhaps not working at all, a clogged AC drain line could be the culprit. This can be the key factor in why your air conditioner isn’t operating at maximum efficiency or, even worse, not operating at all.
It is best to let technicians, who provide expert AC services in your area, deal with a clogged AC drain. It’s imperative to know the signs associated with a clogged drain line to maximize your investment in air conditioning. So, let’s get started.
Signs That Your AC Drain Requires Professional Attention
Your AC drain line plays a crucial role in the operation of your entire system. Clogged drain lines prevent your system from removing the water released when your unit’s evaporator converts refrigerant from liquid to gas. This transformative process regarding your unit is the most integral function of your AC; it’s what provides your living area with cold air rather than hot and clammy outdoor air.
There are many signs that a clogged AC drain line requires professional attention. In some instances, a clogged drain line may be resolved with routine cleaning, using high-quality air filters, or regular maintenance. Yet, more often than not, any clogging is best removed expeditiously by an HVAC expert. Here are four signs that you may need to contact a technician:
1) Leaking and Standing Water
Leaking and standing water is a result of the backup of your unit’s drain line. Moisture is taken out of your home’s air by the indoor evaporator unit of your air conditioner and ran through the drain line. If you’ve noticed standing puddles of water, or leaks from random parts of your AC unit, it’s most likely a sign of a clogged AC drain line.
Checking your outdoor unit daily for leaks is an excellent way to determine if the standing water results from rainfall or other household leaks. If you’ve decided that the cause of the leakage and standing water is your AC unit, it may be time to contact AC technicians.
2) Water Damage
Water damage to your unit or anything located around your living area may be a direct result of a clogged AC drain line. Leaking water can run throughout your system’s ductwork and cause structural damage to your home. Check for water spots on the floor or around your AC unit to determine if your unit is leaking water. As previously stated, leaking water is one of the top indicators of a clogged drain line.
3) Full Condensate Pan
A condensate drain pain catches all of the humidity and excess water that is removed from your air. It also ensures that the excess water is appropriately expelled from your home. A full or malfunctioning drain pan can signify a clogged AC drain line, leading to mold accumulation and moldy odors. It’s best to contact the experts before mold accumulates.
4) Moldy Smells
Full condensate pans and water damage resulting from leaking water are key contributors to mold growth. If you’re currently experiencing moldy odors within your home or outdoors, check your air conditioning unit! Water that has gathered for an extended period is a hotbed for mold growth. Inhaling moldy odors can be detrimental to your health. This can cause a variety of viral, bacterial, and fungal infections as well as Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis.
Who Should I Call for HVAC Help in Hawaii?
Call the pros! The expert technicians of Island Comfort never cease to amaze. Click in or call us today to have all of your AC-related problems resolved!
3 Tips for Choosing the Right AC Unit for Your Home
June 22nd, 2021There are many reasons to buy an air conditioner for your home. An air conditioner will keep you cool and comfortable during the tropical heat of the Hawaiian summer. An AC unit also allows you to keep your windows closed, shutting out a lot of the city noise as well as airborne dust and pollen.
If you’re planning on installing a new AC unit or replacing an old one, it’s important to select the right air conditioner for your home – one that keeps the place cool without costing a fortune.
Today, Ken Starr, Owner of Island Comfort Air Conditioning, a leading provider of HVAC products and services on the islands of Oahu and Kauai, offers three tips to help you choose the right AC unit for your house.
1. Decide What Kind of Air Conditioning You Need
There are many factors to consider when deciding what type of air conditioning you need, including:
- What type of house you have
- Your budget
- Energy costs
- How many rooms you want to cool
- The area and ceiling height of each room
- The number of occupants in your home
- Where your home is located
An experienced HVAC technician can help you select an AC unit that fits your air conditioning needs.
2. Select an Air Conditioner Unit that Best Fits Your Needs
Once you’ve determined what your air conditioning needs are, you’ll be able to select the AC unit that best fits your needs and budget. If you live in a small home away from the city, you may only need a window unit to keep your home cool. A larger home or city residence probably needs a central AC system.
It’s important to choose AC units that are the right size for your home. An undersized unit won’t be able to cool a space as well as a larger unit, while an oversized unit may provide a clammy feeling when humidity levels are too high.
It helps to consider the environment in which your home is located. A well-insulated, well-shaded home that’s empty during the day doesn’t need the same type of air conditioner as a home that’s located in direct sunlight and sees a lot of foot traffic.
3. Select an Air Conditioner that Works for Your Energy Budget
Comfort comes at a cost. Homeowners everywhere dread the higher energy bills during the months they run their air conditioner. Utility expenses are an even bigger concern here on the islands, where residents pay some of the highest electric rates in the United States. Working closely with an experienced HVAC technician can help you decide on an AC unit that delivers the cooling comfort you desire at a cost that fits your budget.
Island Comfort Air Conditioning Can Help You Choose the Right AC Unit for Your Home
A new air conditioner is a big investment for a homeowner. You’ll want a unit that suits your budget, is reliable, keeps your home cool, and doesn’t cost too much. Island Comfort Air Conditioning can help.
Contact Island Comfort online or call us at (808) 215-9087 (Kauai) or (808) 215-9091 (Oahu) to schedule an appointment. We’ll dispatch one of our licensed and experienced HVAC technicians to inspect your home, listen to your needs and provide helpful, professional advice on how to best cool your home.
Island Comfort provides expert HVAC installation, maintenance, and repair services to homeowners on the islands of Oahu and Kauai. We’ve installed air conditioning systems in new and older homes all over the two islands. You can depend on us to deliver an AC system that’s perfect for your needs and budget.
3 Common AC Problems that Residents in Hawaii Struggle With
June 15th, 2021As much as everyone enjoys island life, we can’t deny that air conditioning is a huge relief! AC keeps our homes cool and dry despite the heat and humidity of the tropical summer. Unfortunately, air conditioners sometimes develop problems that affect their performance and the air quality within your home. Here are three of the most common AC problems Hawaiian residents face.
1. Bad Smells Coming from Your AC
Have you been noticing a foul odor wafting from your air ducts? Bad smells are a common AC problem, and one that is easily solved once the source of the smell has been located. A musty or mildewy scent may be a sign that you have mold growing in your AC unit’s evaporator pan. The smell of urine or feces may indicate that you have a rodent infestation. A chemical odor similar to nail polish remover could mean your unit has a refrigerant leak.
Depending on the source of the smell, you may need to have your AC unit and ducts cleaned, contact an exterminator, have your AC checked for refrigerant leaks, or change your AC filters.
2. Air Conditioner Costs Too Much to Run
The residents of Hawaii already pay some of the highest electric rates in the U.S. As much as half of your energy bill may be going to keeping your home cool during the hot days of summer.
There are many steps you can take to reduce your AC bills. The most effective is to have your AC unit regularly checked and maintained. AC units that are adequately maintained run better, cool more efficiently, and cost less to run. Keeping your thermostat set at 78 degrees or above can help you save money.
Ceiling fans can help keep costs down as well. Make sure your doors and windows are closed while the AC is running. Consider planting trees and shrubs around your house to provide shade and keep it cool.
3. AC Isn’t Cooling as Well as It Used to
There could be many reasons why your AC unit isn’t keeping your home as cool as it used to. The problem could lie with the AC unit itself, such as low refrigerant levels, bad or dirty condenser coils, the fan, or electrical issues. The ducts could also be the source of the problem if they’ve become damaged and developed leaks. The thermostat may also be to blame.
If your AC unit isn’t cooling your home properly, schedule a service call with an experienced HVAC technician. They know how to maintain and repair AC units, so they’ll be able to pinpoint the source of the problem and provide a solution.
Island Comfort Has the Solution to All Your AC Problems
Are air conditioner problems causing you to lose your cool? Living in Hawaii, where humidity levels run high, life without cool air gets miserable fast.
Island Comfort Air Conditioning, composed of experienced AC Specialists in Hawaii provides a full range of HVAC services, including installation, maintenance, and repair to homeowners on the islands of Oahu and Kauai. We also do attic insulation, making it easier and cheaper for you to keep your home cool.
If you’ve been experiencing bad smells, higher than usual electric bills, or indoor temperatures that aren’t as comfortable as they should be, give Island Comfort a call at (888) 781-0364. Our certified technicians bring years of experience, and they won’t leave until you’re completely satisfied with the results.
Island Comfort Air Conditioning is dedicated to serving the needs of our customers. We consistently deliver first-rate service, including expert AC installation, maintenance, and repair to customers on the islands of Oahu and Kauai.