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Covering HVAC Units in Sterling, VA

5 Common Causes for Water Leakage From Your AC Unit

Written by Kevin on . Posted in AC.

If you’ve seen your air conditioner leaking water, it might indicate that there is a malfunction with your unit. AC units do collect moisture from the air, but this process should not lead to leaks or excessive condensation. Leakage not only creates potential problems for the structural integrity of your household, but the leakage may point to serious problems with your air conditioner.

Despite the potential problems, a leak in your air conditioner isn’t the end of the world. You should immediately turn your AC unit off to avoid any additional problems, but a professional HVAC technician can easily identify and remedy the cause of your leak.

The Reason Your Air Conditioner Collects Water

Before talking about the causes of water leakage, it can help you to understand why your AC unit collects water. Along with helping to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature, air conditioners also affect humidity levels. When the AC unit takes the warm air and blows it over the internal evaporator coils, it causes the humid moisture to condense.

The AC unit collects the moisture in a drain pan, and that moisture is transported through a condensate drain line that leads outside of your home. When everything is working properly, the air conditioner performs this function without any leaks. However, if there is a problem with your air conditioner’s ability to remove moisture, the AC unit will begin leaking water.

What to Do if Your AC Unit Starts to Leak

Even though water leakage comes from improper removal of condensation, this issue rarely causes your AC unit to shut down completely. As a result, some individuals might be tempted to continue running their air conditioners; some people might even think that a small amount of water leakage is normal for an AC unit. However, the best thing to do when you see a leak is to shut off your air conditioner immediately and call the professionals at Meades HVAC.

If you continue to run your AC unit with a water leak, it can lead to greater complications and internal damage. Moreover, the water damage from indoor leaks can harm the foundation of your walls, electrical systems and other important aspects of your home. Along with the potential for breeding mold, a leak can create more costly complications if you don’t turn off your air conditioner as soon as you notice it. Here are a few of the most common causes of air conditioner leaks.

1. A Clogged Condensate Drain Line

A clogged condensate drain line is one of the most common culprits of AC unit water leaks. After the dehumidifying process, the water that collects contains different particles in it. Over time, this dirt and debris collect in the condensate drain line. If the drain line is consistently cleaned, the debris won’t collect, and there is no risk of leakage.

However, if the condensate drain line is dirty, the particles will create a blockage that causes the moisture to collect and spill out of the drain pan. It’s important to note that many AC units have an automatic kill switch that activates when a clog occurs in the condensate drain. If your unit does not have one, you’ll have to make sure to turn it off manually.

2. Frozen Evaporator Coils

In order for the evaporator coils in your AC unit to work properly, they require sufficient refrigerant and free airflow. If there is a block in airflow or a refrigerant leak, your evaporator coils can begin to freeze. This leads to insufficient air cooling and excessive moisture in the drain pan. This overflow of moisture results in leaks from your air conditioner.

3. Drain Pan Rust or Damage

Your air conditioner’s drain pan sits beneath the evaporator coils and collects the moisture that the coils leave behind. The drain pan funnels water to the condensate drain line and dumps it outside the home. If the drain pan is damaged or accumulates rust, the moisture will leak out of the pan before it has a chance to reach the drain line.

All drain pans eventually require replacement. The average lifespan of a drain pan is between 15 and 20 years, and staying up-to-date on the condition of your drain pan can help you avoid leaks.

4. Excessive Dirt and Debris in the Air Filters

When your air filters accumulate excessive dirt and debris, it greatly impedes the airflow in your HVAC system. As such, clogged air filters can contribute to water leakage from your air conditioner in a number of different ways. Blocking airflow can lead to frozen evaporator coils. Since air filters govern the air circulation in your HVAC system, they can be a leading cause of frozen evaporator coils if they are clogged up.

Along with diminishing the quality of air in your home, dirty air filters can lead to increased blockages in your condensate drain line. Since these blockages are caused by the presence of particles in condensed water vapor, dirty air filters ensure that there are larger amounts of debris to collect. Therefore, clean air filters are paramount to preventing water leaks in your AC unit.

5. Malfunctioning Float Switch or Condensate Pump

In order to properly transport condensed water vapor out of the drain line, the condensate pump for your AC unit has to function properly. As water accumulates in the condensate pump’s reservoir, a float switch activates that signals it to release the water outside. Both mechanisms function in unison to ensure that the water leaves your home in the proper fashion.

If either the float switch or condensate pump are broken or malfunctioning, this will halt the flow of excess water to the outside. Instead, a broken float switch or condensate pump will cause the water to accumulate, which eventually leaks back into your home.

Getting Help From a Professional

The five reasons listed above outline some of the most common causes of water leakage from your air conditioner unit. However, there are many other factors that can come into play if you experience a leak from your air conditioner. Condensation buildup, drain line disconnection and improper installation can all contribute to water leakage from your AC unit. Therefore, consulting a trained and experienced HVAC technician is the best way to ensure that you diagnose the problem correctly and receive the proper repairs.

Our technicians at Meades HVAC serve the people of Sterling and the surrounding northern Virginia areas with expert and efficient AC repair, installation and diagnostics, and we also work with ductless systems. We’ll properly identify the source of any leak your AC unit is dealing with and ensure that it receives the appropriate repairs. If you are currently dealing with a water leak in your AC unit, we invite you to contact us at Meades HVAC by phone or through our convenient online contact form. We also offer heater and furnace care, maintenance plans and indoor air quality services. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.

AC Maintenance in Sterling, VA

How to Prepare Your AC System for Summer

Written by Kevin on . Posted in AC.

Preparing Your Air Conditioner Before Summer Hits

Your air conditioner has a lot of work to do over the sweltering hot months of summer. Every day of high temperatures is made much more tolerable with the cool breezes of an air conditioner blowing throughout your home. That’s why dealing with air conditioning problems or even entire system failures is a nightmare that no homeowner wants to deal with when it feels like an oven outside. Ensuring that your air conditioner is in proper working order to keep your home comfortable and cool over the summer is a very simple task as long as you follow these important steps.

Replace the Filter

Regular filter replacement is a necessary part of HVAC maintenance all year round, but it’s especially important right before seasons of heavy use such as summer and winter. Without a clean filter, your air conditioner will struggle to push air through the ducts. In summer, a dirty filter may cause the air conditioner to constantly run because it’s unable to cool down rooms effectively. This puts unnecessary strain on the unit and leaves you and your family struggling to stay cool. A fresh filter at the start of the season allows cool air to flow freely and drastically improves efficiency.

Change the Program on Your Thermostat

The U.S. Department of Energy suggests keeping your thermostat set to 78 degrees when you’re at home and 88 degrees when you’re away to minimize energy usage as much as possible while also keeping your home at a comfortable temperature.

However, different climates, health conditions and other factors may make 78 degrees a little too high to be comfortable. As a general rule of thumb, setting the thermostat between 72 and 78 degrees is usually the best range for nearly anyone to feel comfortable at home during summer. When you’re away, 88 degrees or 10 degrees above whatever temperature is set for when you’re at home is adequate for ensuring maximum energy efficiency. If you have pets at home, it’s best to leave the temperature at the same level as when you’re at home to ensure their safety and comfort.

Clean the Air Ducts and Vents

Over time, air ducts and vents get clogged with dust, hair, dander, pet fur and much more. Clogged ventilation systems severely restrict air flow, making it difficult to regulate temperatures in the house. Most vents can be cleaned by simply wiping them off or vacuuming them, but cleaning the ducts requires the assistance of a professional HVAC service to ensure that they’re cleaned thoroughly and without damage to the ductwork.

Clean the Condenser Coil

The most important part of any air conditioning system is the condenser coil. Without it, the air flowing through the system can’t be cooled properly. The air conditioner will just circulate the warm air through the rooms of the home. Dirt, grime and debris prevent the condenser coil from working effectively. If the condenser coil remains filthy for too long, it will put undue strain on the system, cause functionality problems and reduce the lifespan of the unit.

Get your condenser coils professionally cleaned at least once a year. If you live in a location where grime builds up quickly on the unit, it’s better to have it cleaned twice a year. Clean it once about a month before summer hits, and have it cleaned again around halfway into the season.

Inspect the Coolant Lines

Coolant lines are also incredibly vital parts of your air conditioning system. Without them, refrigerant cannot be transported throughout the unit. Refrigerant is necessary to remove heat from the air being pulled from the rooms and to cool the air being reintroduced to the home.

The coolant lines are copper pipes covered in foam insulation connected to your outdoor unit. Replace any lost or ripped insulation to ensure that the pipes are protected from damage and there is minimal temperature loss to the coolant as it is transported through the lines. If you notice any cracked pipes or leakage, contact an HVAC professional immediately to fix the issue.

Clear the Area Around the Outdoor Unit

In order to have maximum airflow through the system and to keep as much debris out of the unit as possible, it’s important to keep the area around the outdoor unit clean. Trim hedges that are impeding on the unit, cut the grass, rake away leaves, clear away any trash, move furniture or decorations that are too close to the system, and try to keep dust and mud to a minimum by putting down mulch or crushed rock in the surrounding area.

Check the Air Conditioner Pad

An air conditioner pad keeps the outdoor unit from sitting in the dirt. If the unit rests in the dirt, it may sink over time, restricting airflow through the unit. Dirt, bugs and debris will build up in the system much faster. The change in angle will strain and possibly break the coolant lines and other pipes connected to the unit. The awkward position can also allow the unit to shake violently during operation, which drastically increases the amount of wear and tear on the machine. An air conditioner pad keeps the unit efficient, stable, level and clear of obstructions.

It’s important to check the pad every year to ensure that it’s not sinking or cracked. If it is, you need to call a professional HVAC technician immediately to repair the pad. Failure to do so may result in severe damage to the unit.

Check the Fins

Outdoor units are covered in vents to help disperse heat away from the system. These vents have hundreds of thin metal fins that both help direct air away and keep debris out. When these fins get bent or dirty, it restricts airflow and prevents the heat from escaping easily. Dirty fins are quickly cleaned by gently spraying them with a hose or using an air conditioner fin comb. Bent fins are fixed easily by any HVAC professional.

Test the System

You can do absolutely everything correctly in regards to air conditioner maintenance and still wind up facing a breakdown the first time you use the system after nearly a year without being active. Once everything is clean and clear, turn on the unit to ensure that it works. Listen for any odd noises, take note of any strange smells, and turn the fan speed up and down to ensure everything is in proper working order.

Schedule a Tune-Up

No aspect of seasonal maintenance is more important than getting regular tune-ups. The best scheduling pattern to ensure your HVAC system stays running effectively for as long as possible is to get a tune-up for your system at the start of summer and schedule another when winter is near.

If you’re preparing your air conditioner for the scorching heat of summer, you can rely on our experienced professionals at Meades HVAC to thoroughly inspect, maintain and repair any part of your air conditioner. We also provide installation and repair services for furnaces, water heaters, humidifiers, dehumidifiers, UV air sanitizers, gas lines and much more. If you’re interested in any of these services and you live in or around the Sterling, Virginia area, contact us at Meades HVAC today for more information.

AC units in Sterling, VA

Understanding SEER Ratings for New Air Conditioning Units

Written by Kevin on . Posted in AC.

SEER is the standard that is used in the air conditioning industry to rate the energy efficiency of central, ductless and heat pump air conditioning units. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Box air conditioners, like the ones you mount in a window, are rated by a different standard called the EER, or Energy Efficiency Ratio. The EER rates how much cooling power the box unit can produce at 95 degrees Fahrenheit. SEER rates the energy efficiency of an air conditioning unit to create cooling power for an entire season of temperatures that range from 65 to 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

What Are the SEER Standards?

The federal government sets standards for the SEER of air conditioning units sold in the country. The standard has different guidelines based upon whether you live in a state in the north or south of the country. If you are in a northern state, the minimum SEER rating of a new unit sold is 13. In the southern states, the minimum SEER rating at press time in 2022 is 14. Virginia is covered under the SEER ratings for states in the south of the country. Most central air conditioning units sold today have SEER ratings in the range of 15 to 18.

The SEER standards for air conditioning units that were sold 10 to 15 years ago are far lower than the standards for units sold today. The SEER rating requirements by the Department of Energy have steadily increased over time. Many old central air conditioning units put into service 15 years ago have SEER ratings as low as 8 or 9. This makes it worth your while to consider a new air conditioning unit if your unit falls into that age of service. You will save money in the summer on your electric bill with one of the more energy-efficient units.

New SEER Ratings for 2023

The SEER minimum rating standards are set to go up again in 2023. As of 2023, the new SEER minimum standard for air conditioners sold in the north of the country will be 14, and the new SEER standard for air conditioners and heat pumps sold in the south of the country will be 15. This does not mean that you will be forced to buy a new air conditioner in 2023. The new SEER minimum rating will only apply to new units being installed from that year and beyond.

The Higher the SEER Rating, the Greater the Cost of the Unit

Air conditioning units with higher SEER ratings tend to cost quite a bit more than those that are just barely above the current SEER minimum standard. For example, jumping from a 14 SEER air conditioning system to a 16 SEER system averages around $900 to $1,500 more. Jumping from a 14 SEER unit to a 21 SEER model can initially cost $3,000 to $5,000 more.

Some units have SEER ratings as high as 23. As a consumer, you will need to weigh the initial cost of the air conditioning unit versus the energy savings you will enjoy over time by purchasing a more expensive unit with a higher SEER rating as compared to purchasing a model with a lower cost that has a more modest SEER rating.

Another really important consideration, though, is that an air conditioning unit can only do so much. Factors in your home such as poor placement, inadequate insulation and leaky window and door seals can hamper the efficiency of even the best of units. At Meades HVAC, we also will help you evaluate your insulation and other factors that can lower the efficiency of your cooling system and provide solutions to help you get every drop of efficiency out of your new HVAC system.

Why Do Some Units Cost So Much More Than Others?

The typical 14 SEER air conditioning system will either be cycled entirely on or off. The more efficient 21 SEER and above systems have a high and low mode when they are cycled on to cool your home. When they first come on, they will likely be on high mode to cut down the heat in the room. Once the room is a certain temperature, they will cycle on to a low mode. The 14 SEER systems have no low mode because they only have the high stage. This makes them less energy efficient. Still, a 16 SEER system will be twice as energy efficient as the 15-year-old air conditioning system that is in some homes today. Those are only 8 SEER.

Another factor to consider when deciding between different modern air conditioning systems is that the most efficient units with the dual-stage compressors are much more expensive to fix when they have gone out of their warranty period. The 14 SEER models cost around $1,300 to replace a failed compressor. The 21 SEER models cost $2,000 to replace the compressor.

The advantage of the two-stage systems is that you will experience fewer hot versus cold zones in your home. You will also have less humidity. Finally, the two-stage systems are quieter. Some HOAs require quieter air conditioning units.

How Do You Determine How to Save the Most Money on an Air Conditioning Unit?

First, look on our Meades HVAC website to see what special savings and dealer rebates may be available when you make your computation to weigh which unit is the best for your budget. Also, realize that you do not have to do this computation for yourself if you don’t like math. We can calculate the energy savings versus initial unit cost of air conditioning units we offer that are a good fit for your home and then present these calculations to you.

An easy way to make the calculation between different new units with different SEER ratings is the following savings:

  • Upgrading from 14 SEER to 16 saves you 14%of your energy bill
  • 14 to 20 SEER saves you 43% on your energy bill

So, just realize that going from 14 SEER to 16 will save you $14 of every $100 dollars on energy. 14 to 20 SEER will save you $43 of every $100 on energy costs because it is a very advanced, two-stage system.

At Meades HVAC, we can help you figure out the best new air conditioning system for your needs and budget. We are located in Sterling, Virginia. We serve all of Northern Virginia, including McLean, Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax.

We have skilled and professional technicians who have years of experience in the HVAC business. We are available , and we often arrive within an hour of your call for service. Our BBB rating is a solid A. We also offer special deals, dealer rebates, service maintenance agreements and financing offers to help you fit your new air conditioning unit into your budget.

Call us at Meades HVAC in Sterling, Virginia for any questions you have about SEER ratings or to schedule an in-home evaluation for air conditioning installation services. We provide comprehensive heating, cooling and indoor air quality services.

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