Repairing a Clogged Condensate Drain Line

There’s no denying that air conditioners are complex appliances, which often require the intervention of a professional when it comes time for repairs. Yet certain air conditioning repairs are basic enough that even relative amateurs can accomplish them. If you would like to learn more about one such repair for fixing a leaky AC, read on. This article will discuss how--and why--to clear out a clogged drain line.

The Problem 

A running air conditioner produces a good deal of water, in the form of condensation. This condensation forms on the evaporator coils as the frigid refrigerant flows through them. The water then drips down into the condensate drain pan, which carries it to a drain line leading safely away from the air conditioner.

Over time, however, debris, build-up, and even algae act to form blockages within the condensate line. This causes the water to back up in the drain pan, eventually spilling over the sides and manifesting as a leak.

The Solution 

Fixing this problem is relatively simple. To begin, shut off the power to your air conditioner and remove the outer grill from the condenser in your yard. To do this, you’ll need to find the grill’s attachment points and loosen them up with either a screwdriver or a wrench.

Once you’ve got the grill lifted free, you should be able to easily identify the drain pan, which is comprised of a flat metal rectangle. At one corner you will see the hole that leads to the drain line. Boil up a kettle of water and then pour it carefully and slowly into this hole. The boiling hot water is often enough to loosen up and blockages.

You may also use a pipe cleaner of the appropriate thickness to help remove more stubborn build up. Chances are this will restore proper functionality to the drain line, and thus eliminate your nagging leak. If not, feel free to contact J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling, an HVAC company that services the Phoenix AZ area including Scottsdale, for a professional evaluation.

JR Perkins is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley. To learn more please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com or call (480) 422-4437.

Don't Put Off Air Conditioning Repair Until Next Year

Now that the summer has come to an end and temperatures will be cooling off soon, you might be thinking about putting off any necessary air conditioning repair until next year. After all, you’ll be relying on your system less as the cooler months arrive, and waiting until next year can give you a little more time to budget for the repairs. However, if at all possible, it's generally best to handle repair issues right away rather than waiting.

First of all, you should know that many heating and air conditioning units share a lot of components, such as if you have a central heating and air conditioning system. This means that it’s important that your system as a whole is in good working order, so that you are prepared to cool or heat your home as the weather changes.

Plus, time will likely fly by before you know it. You might continue to put off the repair and forget about it completely. Then, you might get a rather unpleasant surprise when you and your family try to turn up your air conditioning system when the weather heats up. Also, if you wait until the last minute, you might find that your favorite heating and air conditioning repair company is actually all booked up with appointments for other people's air conditioning repairs and tune-ups. This could leave you and your family dealing with the heat a lot longer than you had ever planned.

As you can see, it's generally not a good idea to put off air conditioning repair until next summer. Instead, call your HVAC contractor to come out and make these repairs now. Then, you can also have your entire system, maintained and inspected for any other less transparent issues at the same time.

Home Improvements that Reduce Air Conditioning Costs

Are your air conditioning costs out of control? Nationally, heating and cooling costs represent 40 to 60 percent of a home's energy usage. Here in Arizona, living without air conditioning is just not an option. Most customers understand regular maintenance helps with the efficiency of the unit. However, did you know your home is also a major contributor to cooling costs?

Do you remember, as a child, your mother yelling for you to close the door? "We are not trying to air condition the whole outdoors," she would say. Holding the door opened allowed the cool air inside to escape, and force the air conditioner to run longer. Nonetheless, if your home is not air-sealed, it is like holding the door open.

What is air-sealing a home? The energy efficiency of a home relies on closing the building envelope. Therefore, homes that are not properly sealed will allow cooling energy to escape, forcing your air conditioner to work harder and driving up costs. Here are some home improvements that help reduce your air conditioning costs.

1. Add Insulation - The U.S. Department of Energy states, "Most homes in the United States don't have enough insulation and have significant air leaks. In fact, if you added up all the leaks, holes and gaps in a typical home's envelope, it would be the equivalent of having a window open every day of the year!"

2. Seal Leaks - Caulk around windows and doors, and replace old weather-stripping. However, make sure to remove old and damaged caulk before beginning. Also, install gaskets behind electrical outlet and light switch plates. Child safety plugs on electrical outlets can also reduce cooling loss into exterior walls.

3. Windows and Doors – Replacing outdated windows and doors can help to create a better seal on your home throughout the year. It can also help to prevent water damage during heavy rainfall.

Air-sealing a home can reduce cooling costs as much as 20 percent. If you would like to talk about home improvements that reduce air conditioning costs in Tempe, AZ, or need more information, please contact us at (480) 946-5083.

Five Tips to Extend the Life of Air Conditioning Systems

Our home is the largest investment most of us will incur in our lifetime. It is also the most important. This is where we live, raise our children, and protect our families. The level of comfort in our homes has a direct impact on our happiness. This is why a quality HVAC system is essential to our standard of living.

How we protect our air conditioning system will determine the life expectancy of the equipment. There are steps we can take to safeguard the best return on our investment. Based on years of experience and study, we have listed our top five tips.

1.  Have your HVAC system professionally serviced, twice a year. This is the single most important thing you can do. HVAC equipment requires proper airflow. A dirty unit is less efficient, and it puts a strain on the machinery. The technician measures the levels of refrigerant in the system. They also check for worn parts and other issues, which could cause a future failure. 
2. Change your filters monthly. People often neglect this simple and inexpensive step. Sweeping or vacuuming the filter (or the grill housing the filter) does not clean it. The filter consists of many layers that remove the dust and allergens from the air. Allowing the filter to do its job means those nasty things do not go into the lungs of your family. 
3. Keep dogs away from the condensing unit. Dogs are often the cause of significant damage to outdoor HVAC equipment. They sometimes urinate on the equipment and chew on the tubing. This is dangerous for the unit and for the dog. Consider building a small fence around the equipment. 
4. Trim bushes away from the equipment. Allowing bushes to grow too close to the condensing unit hampers the airflow. Placing an awning or shade over the unit will keep it cooler and allow it to operate more effectively. But, it is important that nothing blocks the airflow around the unit. 
5. If you have a programmable thermostat, use it. If you do not, have your air conditioning company install one. This allows the system to automatically adjust the climate in rooms to a higher temperature during times when no one is home, and to automatically adjust the temperature before the family is due to return. This not only lowers operating costs but allows the system to run less. 

Simple maintenance is the best way to add years to the life of your HVAC system. Call today and schedule a tune-up.

5 Questions to Ask Your Air Conditioning Contractor

Having your air conditioning unit repaired is an important process because it is so important to be comfortable in your home. Naturally, this means you will need to choose the best air conditioning contractor possible. With the many options out there, deciding which one will work best for you can be challenging. To help with this process, we have developed a few questions you will want to ask your air conditioning contractor.

How long have you worked in the air conditioning industry? 

This question can help you determine what experience level your contractor is at. Experience is important when it comes to repairing or replacing an air conditioning unit, so this is important information to know.

Are you licensed and insured? 

Knowing the answer to this question can help you know that the work is quality and that your home and the workers will be protected from any damage.

Do you have a list of references? 

Regardless of the industry, it is important to talk to a few references that have used the contractor in the past. This can help you get an idea of what to expect if you choose this contractor for your project.

Do you have an estimated completion date? 

Getting the job done quickly and efficiently is the best option for everyone. The last thing you want is to hire a contractor that takes an exorbitant amount of time to finish up your repair or replacement.

Who is my contact person? 

You need to know who to come to when you have questions. Whether this is the air conditioning contractor themselves or another person, it is important that you have a way to contact the team. This also allows you to determine who will be working in your home when they are repairing or replacing your air conditioner.

Asking these questions will help you determine which contractor is the best for you. Make sure you consider the answers you are given carefully in order to know you are making the right decision. Our team is waiting by the phone to answer these questions for you - give us a call at (480) 946-5083.

Service Your Air Conditioning System after Each Tenancy in Your Rental Home

Although it is tempting to avoid routine home maintenance in hopes of saving money, you will only find yourself with lots of problems to fix, and they will not be inexpensive. For your own home, you may have no problem getting professional help to keep your home in tip-top shape. However, when you own a rental home, you may not think much about maintenance as you are not the one living there. It is best to service your air conditioning system after each tenancy to enjoy some noteworthy benefits.

Provide the Next Tenant with a Working System 

Your tenants deserve to live in a functional home, which includes the cooling system, especially in the Scottsdale area, where temperatures can reach over 100˚ Fahrenheit for months on end every year. If a potential tenant walks into a comfortable rental home in the middle of summer, they may feel that much more inclined to apply.

Do Not Miss Major Problems 

Not getting routine checkups can lead to missing out on crucial air conditioning issues. This minor mistake can lead to expensive repairs, which you want to avoid as a rental home owner.

Optimize Spending and Rental Value 

In cities like ours, where the cooling system is so important to living comfortably, utility costs can add up quickly, especially in older homes that are not well insulated. Unfortunately, it is even worse when an individual cannot maintain a comfortable temperature in their home because the cooling system does not work properly. Routine servicing will keep the cooling system working at peak level. Also, when applicants ask about the average utility bill, you can show them reasonably low numbers.

It is far better to spend money on air conditioning maintenance, as opposed to repairs. So, make sure to give the professionals at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling a call to tune-up the air conditioning system at your rental property - you won’t regret it!

Four Reasons Air Conditioning Service Is Essential

Regular air conditioning service helps keep your system running at optimal efficiency. But often, homeowners neglect to service their air conditioner annually. Unfortunately, units require regular service to function properly. Here are four reasons air conditioning service is essential:

1. Maintenance actually saves you money. A neglected air conditioning unit will inevitably break down at some point – often at a horribly inconvenient time, like on the hottest day of the year. Repairs can be costly and usually preventable through regular maintenance. In addition, the entire system will last longer if it has received regular preventative maintenance. Spending a little money each year may save you a bundle in the long run.

2. Your air conditioner loses efficiency each year. Regular service will keep it at optimum efficiency. Going without service will result in substantially higher power bills. An air conditioner that is not efficient is unable to cool your home effectively on the hottest days of the summer.

3. Skipping maintenance may actually void your warranty. In order to maintain your warranty, perform regular maintenance on the air conditioning unit. Maintain a list of all service dates with your warranty paperwork.

4. Protect your health! Clean filters and coils will prevent air quality concerns. Neglecting maintenance can allow mold and bacteria to grow and cause respiratory distress in individuals with asthma and allergies.

Remember, have your air conditioning unit thoroughly cleaned and properly serviced at least once per year. Many people choose to have it maintained in the spring to ensure that it is ready to work through the hot summer months. Contact us today to schedule your maintenance appointment!