Why is my Air Conditioner Blowing Hot Air?

As the hot Central Texas summer quickly approaches, many homeowners are turning on their air conditioners for the first time this season, only to find that they’re blowing warm air.  There are many reasons why an air conditioner might blow warm, or even hot, air.  Here’s a look at two of the most common causes.

Lack of Coolant

One of the easiest fixes is a lack of coolant.  Air conditioners use freon to cool air, but freon occasionally leaks out of a unit over time.  If your unit’s performance slowly declined last summer, it may have lost freon.  If it continued to lose freon over the winter, there might not be any cool air coming from your unit now.

Recharging the freon in a system is a relatively easy and inexpensive repair.  All a technician needs to do is refill the freon in the system and check for any leaks that might have led to the loss.

A Frozen Evaporator Coil

If you’re unit stopped performing soddenly while it was operating, it might have frozen up.  Yes, an air conditioner can freeze, and, when it does, it blows warm air.    As ironic as this may sound, a frozen evaporator coil is one of the most common issues with air conditioners that are blowing hot air.  For, a unit’s motor can still run without a functioning evaporator coil, and it will blow air just fine.  The air that it blows will be hot, though.  It doesn’t take long to thaw a frozen evaporator coil, especially in the Texas sun.  Just turning your system off and letting it sit idle for a couple of hours in the afternoon should melt the ice that’s built up inside the unit.  Although the immediate problem can be fixed by letting your unit thaw, you should still have it inspected by a professional.  A frozen evaporator coil shows that water’s building up inside the unit, and your system is being overworked.  A trained technician will be able to check your entire system for the underlying cause that led to the frozen coil.  If your air conditioner is blowing warm air, we can help you identify the cause.  Often, just a small fix will get a system up and running properly again.  One of our technicians can identify the precise issues and quickly remedy it for you, before the real heat of summer sets in.  At Comfort Control, we install and maintain systems to support your unique needs. Contact us today for an expert consultation.

What should a new Air Conditioning System Cost?

What should a new Air Conditioning System cost?

The answer depends on a number of factors.  At Comfort Control, our certified and professional technicians will come to your home to perform a free assessment, which will calculate the actual square footage to be cooled.  Based on this information, we determine the number of units, or tons, needed to cool your home or business efficiently.  “Ton” refers to the amount of heat the unit can remove from a home in one hour.  For example, a 1-1/2 ton HVAC unit will remove 18,000 BTUs of heat in one hour.

The installation costs will also reflect whether it is necessary to replace wiring, the number of units needed, repair work to the pad on which the unit sits, the number of thermostats needed, and whether any ductwork must be replaced.  Some of these costs may add significantly to the final costs. Another factor which could increase the initial cost more than average is whether you wish to purchase a unit with an improved seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER).  A unit with a SEER rating greater than the average of 13 SEER will lower your energy costs and cooling times. You can also purchase a unit with a lower decibel rating to reduce the noise of your air conditioner.  Many cities have regulations specifying the decibels required; a permit and an inspection may also be required for the installation of a new system but not for a repair.  This can also increase the cost quoted to you so make sure your technician is familiar with the building code in your area.

At Comfort Control all of technicians are certified to handle refrigerant as required by law.  Contact us today at (512)308-6949. 

Three Natural Ways to Lower Humidity

As the weather heats up, follow these simple suggestions to create a refuge from the humid climate of Austin.

Increase Ventilation

Ventilation plays a crucial role in the effective management of humidity levels. Excess water in the air increases humidity, so you will want to focus especially on areas of your home that are prone to moisture. Use fans and open windows in areas of your home where excess water enters the environment through activities such as steaming food in the kitchen, showering in the bathroom, or running your washing machine in the laundry room.

Manage Moisture

Combine multiple strategies to keep water from building up in the air. Taking shorter, cooler showers produces far less humidifying steam than taking long, hot showers. You can also manage your indoor climate through choice of cooking methods. Slow cookers are less humidifying than stovetop or oven cooking, and, of course, grilling outside produces no indoor humidity at all. Cover exposed soil in houseplant pots. This measure will make watering plants more effective by preventing evaporation, and when you water less frequently, you prevent humidity.

Make a Simple Dehumidifier

Make your own dehumidifier using rock salt. Directions can be found at http://www.ehow.com/how_5317871_make-own-dehumidifier.html .

The tips suggested above give you greater control over your indoor environment, and in conjunction with a quality air conditioning system, these methods are instantly enhanced. At Comfort Control, we install and maintain systems to support your unique needs. Contact us today for an expert consultation.