The house has a sticky feel to it even though your air conditioner is in constant use? You may find water pooling by the indoor unit, or a musty odour when the system comes on. And for all that running, your comfort is down and the electric bill is up.
We know how it is. At Village Plumbing, Air & Electric we have put Houston families at ease with cool, comfortable homes since 1946. Call (281) 957-6221 and we will put an end to it.
Then there is the humidity here in Houston, a challenge in its own right. The moisture in the air is not like you would encounter in drier climes; it takes a toll on your cooling system. But for the most part these are fixable problems and ones we are well versed in.
Why Humidity Exacerbates AC Trouble
An air conditioner has to do double duty: cool the air and extract the moisture from it. In Houston the latter is a major part of the job. Your system will work harder and for longer to make your home livable when the outdoor air is so laden with moisture.
That is where you run into trouble. The additional runtime puts more wear on the parts and leaves more condensation to deal with, inviting all manner of issues.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
We come across a frozen coil more than one might think, even in this heat. A drop in airflow or an imbalance in refrigerant can cause the coil to ice over, and the sheer volume of moisture in our air does not help.
There are telltale signs:
- The vents put out warm air
- Ice on the indoor unit or the refrigerant lines
- Water on the floor once the ice has melted
- Weaker cooling and a steeper energy bill
- A system that will not stop running yet fails to cool the house
Should you see ice, shut the system down and give us a ring. To let a unit run with a frozen coil is to risk further damage.
Clogged Condensate Drain Lines
Your AC is going to put out a good deal of condensation given the Houston air. That water has to be drained away but the line can become obstructed with algae and dirt of the sort that accumulates.
A clog means the water has nowhere to go and will back up, which can result in leaks or water damage, or trip a safety switch and put an end to the system’s operation. A puddle or a musty smell is usually the first indication.
Musty Smells and the State of Your Indoor Air
Moisture is an open invitation for mildew and mold in the ductwork and system. What you get is a damp, stale quality to the air. It is not merely a matter of comfort but of what your family is breathing. Our specialists in indoor air quality will employ scrubbers, purifiers and filtration to put that right.
When the System Fails to Deliver
Occasionally the AC is running but the house never seems to be quite right. It could be clammy despite being cool, or simply not making the mark on the thermostat.
In a humid climate some of the usual culprits are:
- Dirty filters that impede airflow
- An undersized or aging unit
- Ductwork that is leaky or in need of insulation
- Low on refrigerant
Sizing is something people do not always give enough thought to. An oversized unit will cool in a hurry but then cut off before the humidity is dealt with, leaving a home feeling both cool and clammy.
Some Easy Ways to Look After Your System
Basic maintenance will prevent a host of problems. Be sure to put in a new filter from time to time and leave the outdoor unit unobstructed. Put in for seasonal maintenance ahead of the summer rush and if you detect any odd smells or the cooling is not what it should be, make a call.
Put Your Trust in the AC Team in Houston
We are a family and woman owned business, licensed and insured, and have been of service to the Houston metro area for the better part of eight decades. Under The Village Guarantee you can be sure of our work. We have earned the moniker “The Cleanest Techs in Town” and with 10,000 Google reviews and a 4.8 star rating we would like to add you to our list of satisfied customers. We have upfront pricing and 24/7 same-day emergency service.
Call us at (281) 957-6221 and we will have your air conditioning in order again.
