Atlanta AC Repair Question: Why Is My Air Conditioning Leaking Water?

June 18th, 2013

You depend heavily on your Atlanta air conditioning system to give you crisp, cool, comfortable air in your living space day-in and day-out. Of the various problems that can happen with your AC, a water leak is probably one of most common. But it can also seem somewhat mysterious; after all, where is this water coming from? In today’s post, we’d like to explain a little bit about why your AC might be leaking water. But this list is far from conclusive and a professional inspection is necessary to determine the problem in each case. If you’re having any problems at all with the cool air in your home, or you find water leaking out of the AC in your home, you can rely on South Air for professional air conditioning services in Atlanta.

  • Duct sweating: During particularly hot days, your ducts may look as though they’re sweating. This condensed water on the surface of your ducts is caused by the temperature difference between the cool air passing through the ducts and the air outside them. If it happens a lot, this can cause structural damage to the areas surrounding your ductwork, and can create microbiological growth in the home.
  • Overflowing condensate drain pan: Your condensate drain pan resides just below your evaporator coil. As the cool, liquid refrigerant inside the coils cools the indoor air brought in by the blower motor,  the water in the air condenses on the outside of the coils. The drain pan collects this run-off, and drains it away from the unit. Over time, however, your drainpipe may get clogged with grime and other debris, and this can block the condensation drainage, thus leading to pan overflow; hence the leak.
  • Low refrigerant: If your AC is not charged with the right amount of refrigerant, then it may cause the evaporator coil to freeze up. When this frost melts, it overwhelms the condensate drain and this causes the excess water to leak.

If you experience any of these problems, we can help. Call South Air today for comprehensive air conditioning services in Atlanta. 

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How Poor Maintenance Increases the Need for Air Conditioning Repair

June 12th, 2013

You’re likely going to run your air conditioning system quite a bit this summer in order to stay comfortable. All this use can cause problems and issues to develop,which should be taken care of right away. South Air Heating & Cooling offers fast and reliable air conditioning repair for all different makes and models of AC units in the Atlanta area. We wanted to alert our customers to the incredible benefits that regular AC maintenance can have on their air conditioning system.

Why Air Conditioning Maintenance Matters

As your air conditioning system operates it will start to develop small problems and issues. Without professional intervention these small problems will likely turn into larger, more costly repairs.

Without professional air conditioning maintenance the problems that your system develops will just continue to grow. As your air conditioning operates, it naturally starts to slowly degrade. Whether is the fan belt getting older, the fan motor or compressor going bad or the air filter getting more clogged, these issues will just continue to get worse.

But when you get your air conditioning system regularly inspected by a professional they will specifically look for these types of issues and repair them before they cause further damage. This is a huge benefit for homeowners during the summer who need their AC units to work consistently and efficiently.

No matter what type of air conditioning system you have, call the friendly Atlanta air conditioning repair professionals at South Air if you need service. 

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Atlanta Air Conditioning and Dehumidification

June 4th, 2013

Your air conditioning system is an integral part of your home. With professional installation and routine maintenance, your AC should run well for years, although repairs will be necessary at times. You’ve probably heard the phrase, “It’s not the heat, it’s the humidity,” and it’s true that the relative humidity of your home can make or break your home. Your AC has a dehumidifying function, although this is part of the process of removing heat from the home and cooling the air, rather than its sole purpose. In today’s post, we’d like to look at the relation between air conditioning and dehumidification, so that you can stay better informed about your comfort options. If your home is too hot and humid during the cooling season, call for professional Atlanta air conditioning services from South Air Heating & Cooling today!

As we already mentioned, air conditioning dehumidifies the air during the refrigerant cycle. When warm, indoor air is brought into the air handler by the blower motor, this air is cooled by the evaporator coils. The moisture in the air condenses as the air cools, and this drips into the condensate drain pan to be removed from the indoor unit. This dehumidification thus occurs as part of the process of cooling the air, and is often enough to provide a decent control over the relative humidity.

However, for some homes and situations, this is not enough. That’s where a whole-home dehumidifier comes in handy. Portable units are often ineffective and costly to operate, but a whole-home unit integrates directly into your existing air handler. All of the air typically collected by your AC thus goes through a much more comprehensive dehumidification process. This allows you to control the humidity of your home, just as you would the temperature. For homes with moisture problems, such as stuffy air and mold, this is a great way to improve your comfort.

Call South Air today for comprehensive Atlanta air conditioning and indoor air quality services.

 

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Happy Memorial Day!

May 27th, 2013

Every year on the final Monday of May, citizens of America come together to honor those who have served our country. Formerly known as Decoration Day, Memorial Day came to prominence after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen soldiers on either side. Although its origins are somewhat ambiguous, it has always been about bringing people together to recognize our country’s military personnel and history. We want to take this opportunity to thank all the men and women who have served our county.

Memorial Day also marks the beginning of summer. We hope that you have a wonderful day off, and that it is a great start to your summer!

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Air Conditioning Repair and Efficient Cooling in Atlanta

May 21st, 2013

If you want excellent performance and efficient cooling from your AC this summer, then you need to make sure that any repair are taken care of. While professional installation and maintenance are both critical to ensuring that your air conditioning works well for the years to come, when problems occur with the operation of your AC, they need to be handled professionally and quickly. They don’t only affect performance, but also the efficiency of your system. And that means higher energy bills over the long term. You can’t control energy costs but you sure can control how you use energy. For excellent air conditioning repair in Atlanta, GA, call South Air today!

  • Frozen evaporator coil: Your evaporator can freeze over when it encounters an airflow issue, such as an excessively dirty or clogged air filter. With all that cold air trapped in the air handler with no place to go, the refrigerant cycle is disrupted, and this can also affect other areas of your AC, like the compressor.
  • Dirty condenser coil: Another problem that needs repair to restore the energy efficiency of your AC is when you have a dirty condenser coil. Because it resides in the outdoor unit, your condenser is subject to a greater amount of dust and debris than your indoor coils, and may need to be professionally cleaned to restore its ability to dissipate thermal energy.
  • Low refrigerant: Your AC was installed with a certain amount of refrigerant known as its “charge.” You need this precise amount at all times to ensure that your cooling is efficient and effective. But if you have a leak in the system somewhere, your AC may expend more electrical energy trying to keep up with your cooling needs. Leaks don’t go away on their own, and it will need to be repaired before your system can be recharged.

We pride ourselves on the diagnostic abilities of our technicians. Call South Air today for comprehensive air conditioning repair in Atlanta, GA, and we’ll get your AC going again in no time. 

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Atlanta Air Conditioning Repair FAQ: Why Does My AC Keep Shutting Off?

May 16th, 2013

If your AC keeps shutting on and off repeatedly during operation, that’s called short cycling. All air conditioners rely on what’s known as the refrigerant cycle, which removes heat from your home and brings cool air into your home. When this process is interrupted by the AC’s constant switching on and off, the results can be ineffective and inefficient cooling, as well as other problems. In this post, we’d like to take a look at this problem in more detail. If your AC is short cycling and you need quality air conditioning repair in Atlanta, call the experts at South Air today!

Let’s take at some of the possible reasons your AC is shutting on and off:

  • Thermostat fault: Your thermostat is the primary user interface for your air conditioning system. It is meant to be the only device that you need in order to control the temperature of your home, but when it does not work properly, that small, compact box on your wall can actually cause significant problems. Because it senses the temperature and communicates that information to the air handler, the importance of a good working thermostat can hardly be understated. But if it is not sensing the temperature properly, or if it is in some other way impaired, then it may cause your compressor to turn on and off.
  • Electrical problem: Another common culprit of short cycling is the AC’s electrical system. There could be a problem with the electrical supply line, or your capacitor could be shot. Electrical problems can be difficult and dangerous to diagnose, so please leave it to the professionals.
  • Improper installation: Unfortunately, one of the causes of short cycling is improper installation. One of the reasons for this is that your air conditioning system needs to be appropriately sized for your home. If it is too large, for example, then it may have to turn off mid-cycle constantly because the temperature has already been reached. While this may seem like an inconvenience, it can actually cause significant problems.

If your AC turns on and off frequently, and you’re in need of Atlanta air conditioning repair service, call the experts at South Air today. 

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Atlanta Air Conditioning Repair Question: Why Is My AC Making Noise?

May 6th, 2013

Your Atlanta air conditioning system receives a lot of use and abuse during the heat and humidity of the summer, especially the outdoor unit, which works hard to dissipate heat despite the already scorching climate. In this post, we’d like to review some of the strange sounds and their possible causes so that you can take care of any issues in your cooling system before the summer starts in earnest. For comprehensive Atlanta air conditioning repair services, call South Air Heating & Cooling today!

  • Hissing: A hissing sound coming from your AC unit is often an indication of leaking refrigerant. Your refrigerant goes through both liquid and gas phases during its cycle between the outdoor and indoor units. It’s imperative that you have the correct level of refrigerant at all times, because low refrigerant can lead to high energy bills, inadequate cooling, and even damage to certain components if not fixed.
  • Banging: Unfortunately, banging often indicates serious mechanical or physical damage to your AC unit. If you hear it in your outdoor unit, there could be various causes, but one of the most critical is internal damage to your compressor. Because many of today’s compressors are sealed to sustain adequate lubrication as well as to prevent the accumulation of dust, it may need to be replaced. Alternatively, your indoor blower motor may have become damaged.
  • Rattling: A rattling sound can be difficult to distinguish from banging, from it often means that one of the panels securing your AC unit’s housing has become loosened, and is now vibrating, as a result. While this is not often serious, it can lead to airflow issues.
  • Buzzing: If you hear a strong buzzing noise from your AC unit, it might indicate a serious electrical issue known as “arcing.”

If you’re concerned about your AC system and the sound its making, then turn it off and get in touch with your local AC technician. For professional Atlanta air conditioning repair services, call South Air Heating & Cooling today! 

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Air Conditioning in Atlanta Tip: Trane and Durability

April 29th, 2013

Due to the intensity and length of the Atlanta summer, you need an air conditioning system that you can depend upon for excellent performance, as well as energy efficiency. But, even more than that, you need it be durable. That’s why choosing a Trane is critical to your comfort. There’s a reason why they say “It’s Hard To Stop A Trane.®” And when you make sure that a Trane Comfort Specialist installs your new AC, then you are well on your way to great performance and excellent durability. Many of our customers ask us what makes Trane products so durable. We’d like to discuss the issue in this post. For air conditioning in Atlanta, call the experts at South Air Heating & Cooling today!

  • Innovation: Trane product designs, from the total home heating and cooling systems to their individual parts, often lead the industry in terms of their unique approach to solving problems of energy efficiency and rapid cooling performance. For example, the Trane Climatuff® compressor is a two-stage compressor that is incredibly durable, no matter what the temperature is outside. It is also known for its low noise levels and high efficiency.
  • Testing: When you buy a Trane air conditioner, you know it can withstand temperature extremes much greater than those possible in your backyard. At the SEET (Systems Extreme Environmental Test) laboratory in Tyler, TX, your AC is put through 16 weeks of extreme temperature fluctuations, cold and hot, as well as various other tests to ensure that the products are corrosion resistant. With that kind of comprehensive testing behind the development of every Trane product, it’s no wonder that they are widely recognized to be some of the most durable ACs on the market.
  • Reputation: Trane is widely recognized as an industry leader. Not only for their innovative product design, from air conditioners and heaters to smart home technology and indoor air quality devices, but also because their products are built to last.

Make sure you hire a Trane Comfort Specialist to install your new durable Trane AC. When you need air conditioning service in Atlanta, call South Air Heating & Cooling today! 

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Atlanta Air Conditioning Repair: My AC Won’t Turn Off

April 22nd, 2013

While you may think you never want your AC to turn off during the heat and humidity of an Atlanta summer, your air conditioning system should not operate continuously. It operates according to a cycle, and it’s important it shut off once it reaches your desired temperature. Otherwise, this can lead to high-energy bills and system damage; your compressor can easily overheat, and your evaporator coil may freeze over. Most importantly, your home may actually become uncomfortably cold, especially at night. If you need Atlanta air conditioning repair, call the experts at South Air Heating & Cooling today!

So, why won’t your AC turn off? Let’s take a look at some possible causes:

  • Thermostat fault: Your thermostat is the user interface of your cooling system. Without it, your system will simply not work properly. It’s critical, therefore, that it be in good operating condition at all times. Check your thermostat to make sure that it’s not adjusted to a low temperature that makes it continuously call for cool air. Also, make sure that your thermostat is installed in a location away from ducts, sunlight, and windows. All of these can affect the efficiency and effectiveness of your system. If the problem has just now started to occur, then you may have a thermostat fault. It may not be properly sensing the temperature, or it may not be communicating the correct temperature to your air handler.
  • Control board fault: Your AC will have various switches and controls. In addition to those at the circuit breaker, the AC will also have one at the outdoor unit, either on the unit itself or on the side of the house; and one on or near the indoor air handler. These service switches control the electrical energy input to each of the devices. And there may be others, depending on your model. If there’s a problem with one of these switches, then your AC may not be able to turn off as it should.

We hope this gives you some information as to why your AC won’t turn off. For more info, or to schedule Atlanta air conditioning repair service, contact South Air today!

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Atlanta Air Conditioning Repair: My AC Won’t Start

April 15th, 2013

Certainly one of the most frustrating things that any Atlanta, GA homeowner can experience during the long hot summer occurs when the AC won’t start. You come home to find it very stuffy and hot. You walk over to the thermostat. Everything looks in order. You press the “On” button on the digital console, and you hear nothing.  While professional installation and routine maintenance are great ways to ensure that you are well prepared, occasionally you may find yourself in this situation. When you need Atlanta air conditioning repair, simply call South Air Heating & Cooling.

Let’s take a look at a few reasons why your AC won’t start:

  • Thermostat fault: This is one of the most common reasons for an AC that won’t start. Your thermostat needs to be properly calibrated in order to call for the correct temperature. But it also needs to be fault-free, and over time, your thermostat may have developed an electric problem.
  • Electrical problem: As you know all too well, your AC runs on electricity, which is supplied by your utility company. If your AC won’t start, be sure to check that it hasn’t blown a fuse or tripped the circuit breaker. If it hasn’t, then it could be a serious electrical wiring problem, or a bad capacitor. Electricity is hazardous, and repairs should only be carried out by a qualified technician.
  • Condensate leaks: The evaporator coil in your indoor air handler is equipped with a condensate pan that connects to a drainpipe, so that any condensed water vapor that accumulates on the coils can drip in to the pan and drain out of the air handler. If you have a leak, this can cause the system to shut down.

We hope this helps. For more information about Atlanta air conditioning repair, call the pros at South Air Heating & Cooling today! 

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