needs Archives - Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

How to Tell if the AC Is Leaking Refrigerant and Needs Repair

Signs of a Refrigerant Leak

A refrigerant leak is a problem with the air conditioner that requires professional air conditioning repair, so it’s important to be aware of the warning signs. This guide will discuss some tell-tale signs of an AC refrigerant leak to help homeowners understand when it's time to call a professional AC service provider, ensuring the home stays comfortable and efficient.

Frozen Evaporator Coils

A frozen evaporator coil is often one of the most obvious indicators of a refrigerant leak in the system. When refrigerant levels drop below the recommended amount due to a leak, it disrupts the system's ability to absorb and release heat properly. This disruption causes the remaining refrigerant to expand too much, creating abnormally cold temperatures around the evaporator coil that can fall well below freezing, leading to ice formation.

This ice buildup creates a snowball effect of problems. As the coil freezes, it becomes increasingly difficult for air to flow through the system, further reducing the unit's efficiency and cooling capacity. The frozen coil can no longer effectively absorb heat from the home's air, forcing the AC unit to work harder. If homeowners notice ice forming on the evaporator coil, it's crucial to have a professional HVAC technician inspect the system for refrigerant leaks. Continuing to run the unit in this condition can lead to compressor damage and system failure.

The AC Is Not Cooling Properly

Another telling sign of a refrigerant leak is when an air conditioner struggles to maintain desired temperatures. Refrigerant is an essential part of the cooling system, responsible for absorbing heat from indoor air and releasing it outside. When refrigerant levels drop due to a leak, the system can't effectively remove heat, resulting in warmer air flowing from the vents even when the AC is running.

This inefficient operation can also cause the air conditioner to run longer cycles in an attempt to reach the right temperature. As the system struggles to compensate for low refrigerant levels, it consumes more energy while delivering subpar cooling performance. The extended runtime leads to higher energy bills and puts additional stress on vital components, potentially causing premature wear and damage if left unaddressed. So, a decline in cooling performance or unusually high cooling costs warrants professional inspection as these signs can indicate the unit is leaking refrigerant.

Unusual Sounds

When the AC system develops a refrigerant leak, it can also produce several distinct sounds that serve as warning signs. The most common is a hissing or whistling noise, which occurs when refrigerant escapes through a small hole or crack in the copper lines under pressure. This sound is similar to the noise of air escaping from a tire and may be more noticeable when the system is running.

In other cases, homeowners might hear bubbling or gurgling sounds, particularly when the system is off or during the defrost cycle. These noises can occur because the refrigerant is changing states between liquid and gas inappropriately due to pressure inconsistencies in the system. The sounds are often most pronounced near the indoor evaporator coil or along refrigerant lines. If homeowners notice any of these unusual sounds or other signs of refrigerant leaks, it's crucial to have an HVAC technician inspect and repair the system promptly.

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air is a reliable plumbing, heating, and AC company serving the Fairhope area. They offer prompt service and no overtime charges. Call them for air conditioner repair in Fairhope, AL.

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How to Tell If the Home Needs a Water Softener

What Exactly Is Hard Water?

When people speak of hard and soft water, they’re talking about the mineral content of the water. Hard water has a higher mineral content, usually calcium and magnesium. This results from the water-absorbing minerals as it passes through mineral deposits in the ground. While it’s difficult to tell whether water is hard just by looking at it, there are some tell-tale signs left behind by hard water that homeowners can look for if they’re unsure.

Signs the Home Has Hard Water

When homeowners inquire about hard water, they're often concerned about its safety for drinking and bathing. While hard water is generally safe, other negative effects come with hard water in the home.

If the home dishes never seem completely clean, it could be because of hard water when dishes are left with visible water spots. No matter what kind of dishwashing liquid or manner of drying, it’s usually because the water dries but leaves a mineral residue on it. The same can be said for clothes — they often look worn, drab, and possibly even dirty.

Hard water affects more than just clothes and dishes. Skin and hair can also feel the effects, becoming dry and losing their luster. Lastly, it can leave a chalky residue in sinks, faucets, and around drains.

How Water Softeners Work

All water softeners work by extracting or neutralizing the minerals in hard water. This reduces the mineral content of the water and eliminates or lessens the negative effects of hard water. Whole-house water softeners are installed between the water meter and the point of entry to the home, allowing the entire plumbing system to benefit from the softener.

Water softeners differ in how they negate the water's high mineral content. The most common type uses salt and resin beads to “exchange” the sodium ions from the salt with the mineral ions in the hard water, thereby softening the water. A larger, dual-tank water softener could be the best option for larger homes or those with high water usage. Smaller water softeners can also be installed under sinks to soften water at a particular location in the home.

The Many Benefits of Whole Home Water Softeners

The biggest benefit of water softeners is that they work to eliminate the issues that come with hard water. No more dry skin and lusterless hair. No more faded clothes and never-clean dishes. Plus, there are added benefits to the plumbing system itself.

Mineral buildup can damage plumbing systems and appliances, severely lessening the lifespan of dishwashers, washing machines, and water pipes. However, with a whole-house water softener, homeowners can rest easy knowing that their plumbing systems and appliances are healthy and will remain so for as long as the softener is in use.

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air has served Fairhope, AL, since 1996. They provide expert, on-time service and no surprise pricing. Contact them today for water softener installation in Fairhope, AL.

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Signs of a Faulty Water Heater That Needs Service

When to Think About Water Heater Repairs

A home’s water heater is a critical piece of equipment that goes underappreciated until it fails, seemingly out of the blue. Most water heaters show signs before they fail, allowing perceptive homeowners to take preemptive action, like calling for water heater repairs. While some signs are obvious, like leaks or a loss of hot water, others are more subtle, meaning homeowners must stay on their toes.

Here are three common signs that many homeowners overlook that indicate the need for water heater repairs.

Utility Costs Are Rising

Utility costs are always rising. Despite market influences, the price of natural gas and electrical power only seems to worsen. Water heaters already use up to 30% of the energy in the average home, making them expensive to operate. How much worse could the problem be if something went wrong with the water heater?

Monitoring utility bills is a great way to track the water heater’s condition. Since water heaters use so much energy, it can be relatively easy to spot spikes in energy bills. A spreadsheet or utility tracker can be used to monitor water consumption and the energy source used by the water heater. If the two bills correlate higher every month, it is a good sign something is wrong with the water heater. For more correlations, look for things like:

Neglected water heater maintenance
Frequent repairs
Aging water tank

If these signs are present, along with the rise in bills, water heater repair or a new installation are the best options to get bills back under control.

Owners Can Hear Strange Sounds

Struggling water heaters often make noises that indicate problems. The trouble is that most people don’t spend enough time near their water heater to know the difference between normal operations and regular noise. Furthermore, a noisy water heater may go undetected simply because no one checks on it. Routinely checking the water heater and scheduling annual water heater maintenance can help find sounds that indicate repairs are needed. Common sounds that indicate abnormal operation are:

Thumping
Rumbling
Whistling
Popping
Hissing

If these sounds are heard at any point, a professional should be called to assess the situation. They can recommend whether maintenance, repairs, or replacement are the best actions.

Unusual Color or Smell to the Water

The final sign of a struggling water heater has to do with the water quality of the hot water coming from the appliances in the home. Hot water should be identical to cold water except that it is heated. It shouldn’t have any tinge of red to it or carry any sediment. As a water heater corrodes, it can increase the sediment in the water and even allow rust to leech into the water, affecting the appearance and taste. Often, odors accompany this, although there are occasions when the water will appear fine but smell sulfurous. If the water quality from the hot water tank is bad, a professional opinion is needed.

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air offers upfront pricing on plumbing service and leaves no mess behind once they’re done. Their membership program extends the life of the plumbing in the home, especially the portion dedicated to water heater maintenance. Call today for water heater services in Fairhope, AL.

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Diagnosing Your AC Repair and Replacement Needs

Fix the AC or Replace It?

With rising temperatures and some of the hottest summers on record, having a functioning air conditioner is less of a luxury and more of a safety priority. Like any appliance, however, these systems are also most susceptible to wear and tear because of their high usage. A homeowner must know how to spot early detection signs of an air conditioner repair. While most people know that a system that won’t turn on indicates something is wrong, there are often more subtle signals that can help catch issues early and prevent the need for an AC replacement.

In this article, experts outline these symptoms and share some advice all homeowners can use to protect their homes.

Strange Sounds

An air conditioner is hardly the quietest appliance in the home. It often provides the consistent white noise of air flowing or a quiet mechanical hum that indicates the system is on. However, because it’s a mechanical appliance with internal moving parts, sounds can be a helpful tool to diagnose issues.

Some common sounds of trouble include:

Screeching
Grinding
Banging
Popping
Wobbling

In most instances, these sounds indicate a loose component within the system. For example, a wobbling (or loud humming) could signal that the fan is loose or damaged. When coupled with the other issues outlined below, at the very least, it warrants a call to a local AC repair company.

Skyrocketing Energy Costs

Air conditioning is the highest energy consumer, particularly during the summer when it gets the most runtime. However, these costs can creep even higher if the system needs repair. Most homeowners will have a general idea of their energy costs. For example, a monthly utility can be $100, increasing to $150 in summer.

A sign that air conditioning repair is needed is when the bill skyrockets into the $300s. This often happens because the AC works harder to keep the home cool. Whether the issue stems from poor maintenance, mechanical failure, low refrigerant, or even ductwork concerns, these issues cause the system to run inefficiently.

While some, if not all, can be fixed with a simple repair or maintenance service, an AC replacement could be the better option when the unit is already old.

Poor Airflow

Are there certain rooms in the home that are the go-to for everyone to stay cool? It may be more comfortable to get better airflow or cooler conditions in a specific room of the house, but it could also signal something is wrong with the unit.

Fluctuating airflow generally stems from the ductwork or the air handler. Both are responsible for pumping cold air into the home. The air handler generally cools the air while the ductwork distributes it into the rooms. In either case, an inspection will be needed to help diagnose the problem.

However, fluctuating airflow could also indicate the need for an air conditioner replacement. It may not be an issue early on when the system is new, but with wear and tear and increasing demands, these installation issues can eventually show themselves. One solution is opting for a larger air conditioner that can cool more square footage, giving homeowners the cool temperatures they want where they need it most.

About Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air

Affordable Plumbing, Heating & Air has served Fairhope, AL, homeowners since 1996. In that time, they’ve earned a reputation for upfront pricing, clean and professional technicians, and a dedication to customer satisfaction. Whether looking to service the AC before the summer or dealing with an emergency repair, their staff is here to help!