Frequently Asked Questions About AC Repair

During the hot summer months, Fairhope and Foley residents trust their air conditioners to keep them cool inside their homes and businesses. Even with preventative AC maintenance, air conditioners will require repair from time-to-time. If you are experiencing problems with your air conditioner and need AC repair in Foley, AL and surrounding areas, the Anchor Air team has you covered!

Over the many years of repairing air conditioners, we have learned many homeowners have similar questions regarding their AC system. In this article, we have compiled a list of common AC repair questions to help you better care for your system!

What Are Common AC Repairs?

You could need air conditioning repair for a variety of reasons, and at Anchor Air, we’ve seen almost every scenario that warrants attention. The following are some typical issues we take care of during our repair services in the Foley and Fairhope areas:

• Infrequent maintenance: Air conditioners that never receive routine maintenance are more likely to experience problems and sudden breakdowns. Repair services can address what technicians work on during maintenance, but the issues may be more severe.
• Lack of airflow: Dirty air filters and obstructions around your appliance can block airflow and limit your AC’s ability to cool your space. You may need to clean the area or get new filters.
• Blowing warm air: Low refrigerant levels can cause air not to cool before it enters your home.

You may also be dealing with sensor problems, a faulty thermostat, broken parts, on-and-off cycling, and more. Only a licensed technician can tell for sure and provide expert repairs.

Why Is My Air Conditioning System Leaking?

Refrigerant leaks are perhaps the most common but not the only reason your air conditioner has a leak. Your air conditioner constantly shifts refrigerant between gas and liquid form, meaning it doesn’t require refills unless there is a leak and levels deplete over time. A service technician will patch up holes and then test the system after adding more refrigerant. Below are other reasons why an AC unit might leak liquid and what to do about them:

• Clogged drain line: An air conditioner’s condensate drain takes water out of your air conditioner and sends it outside. When this vital AC component is clogged, the water has nowhere to go except out of the pan. You’ll need to clear the drain line of any dirt, debris, or grime before the water can escape, but contacting a professional for the job guarantees the best results.
• Frozen evaporator coil: The evaporator coil can freeze when it has limited access to warm air. When the coil eventually melts, water pools around your air conditioner. You might need to replace your AC filter or try to thaw out your system with the thermostat.

Can I Fix My Air Conditioner Myself?

We never recommend tackling any air conditioning repairs using DIY methods. Many homeowners believe they will save money by doing their own repairs and skip calling their local AC technician in Fairhope, AL. However, you might purchase parts and products you don’t need or cause serious harm to your system — or yourself.

Trying to perform AC repair in Fairhope, AL, without help is dangerous and potentially expensive. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you could end up wasting valuable time and money, worsening your cooling system’s problems in the process. Leave the heavy lifting to the experts at Anchor Air!

How Can I Prevent The Need For AC Repairs?

Some air conditioning issues will persist even when you do everything right. However, there are some ways to minimize your chances of needing repairs.

We recommend you start with the following:

• Replace your air filters every three months or so to prevent blocked airflow.
• Ensure proper ventilation in your home and open windows from time to time.
• Adjust the settings on your programmable thermostat to cool your home as needed.
• Clear at least three feet around your outdoor air conditioning unit to prevent obstructions.
• Schedule annual maintenance services with a trusted air conditioning professional.

How Often Does An Air Conditioner Need Service?

Air conditioners may need repairs at any time but require fewer visits when you keep up with routine maintenance. You can inspect your air conditioner with an Anchor Air technician before the peak season of use. If you never change your AC filters, clean your system, or think about your air conditioner when it’s not in use, you will need AC services more often. Scheduling tune-ups at least once a year should keep most air conditioners in top shape, but you may book them quarterly if necessary.

How Often Do I Need To Clean My AC Coils?

You should clean your air conditioner’s evaporator and condenser coils at least once annually by a professional. However, you can increase the frequency if you find them building up with dirt and debris more often. Air conditioning maintenance services often involve coil cleaning and checking their conditions.

What Should I Do Before Calling for AC Repair?

Although you should call a professional when you’re having air conditioning problems, there are some troubleshooting steps to take. First, check that you have turned on your air conditioner and that power is going to the appliance. Next, verify that the temperature settings are correct. If your efforts don’t help, call Anchor Air for AC repair in Foley, AL.

How Can I Increase My Air Conditioner’s Energy Efficiency?

A more energy-efficient air conditioner can lead to fewer repair appointments and prevent premature replacement. It also can help you cut down on expensive monthly energy bills. Furthermore, an energy-efficient system creates an ideal indoor environment for your home or business. If you want to improve your air conditioner’s energy efficiency, we recommend helping reduce the workload on your air conditioner.

Here are some suggested tips to try:

• Clean the area around your outdoor AC unit to help facilitate proper airflow
• Give your air conditioner a break by adjusting thermostat levels
• Regularly change air filters
• Ensure air vents are clean and clear of furniture
• Seal air leaks
• Keep windows and doors closed

If you have an air conditioning question that was not answered, feel free to give us a call! Anchor Air is proud to provide reliable and fast AC repair in Fairhope, AL, and the neighboring areas. If you’re frustrated by an air conditioning issue, contact our personable business for immediate repairs and professional support. Call us at (251) 286-6976 to schedule an appointment now!

Everything needs to be repaired from time to time, such as your car, roof, and air conditioner. Unfortunately, nothing lasts forever, but we can help ensure your air conditioner is repaired in a timely manner to get your home cool and comfortable once again. While your Anchor Air technician identifies the air conditioning repair and comes to a solution, how do you stay cool in the meantime? In this article, we will describe 7 tips to stay comfortable and beat the Alabama heat.

7 Ways To Stay Cool

Your air conditioner is working hard in the summer to keep up with the harsh temperatures, which is why air conditioning repairs are more likely in the summer and winter. Check out these tricks to stay comfortable while your Anchor Air technician fixes your air conditioning unit!

• Wear Cooling Clothing
• Avoid Using Heat Generating Appliances
• Utilize Fans
• Cover Windows
• Stay Hydrated
• Take A Cool Shower
• Find Another Spot To Hangout

Wear Cooling Clothing

We recommend wearing lightweight, breathable clothing while your AC isn’t working. For example, fabrics such as cotton allow air circulation, and light colored fabric is said to reflect light and heat.

Avoid Using Heating Generating Appliances

While your air conditioner is broken, try to avoid using heat-generating appliances such as your dryer, dishwasher, and oven. These appliances create unnecessary heat and will add to your indoor temperature. Instead, try to eat ready to go or refrigerated meals.

Utilize Fans

Did you know your ceiling fans have a certain setting for summer? Make sure your ceiling fan is rotating clockwise to push down a cool breeze on your skin. To change the setting, look for a switch below the fan blades. We also recommend utilizing box fans, but only utilizing both box and ceiling fans while someone is in the room. Ceiling fans do not change the temperature. The breeze they create makes it feel like a cooler temperature on your skin.

Cover Windows

Although the sunlight peeking through your blinds is nice, be sure to keep your blind and curtains shut if your air conditioner is off. The sun allows heat to enter through the sun rays, which will increase the temperature inside your home.

Stay Hydrated

This is one of the most important tips if your air conditioner is broken! Not only is staying hydrated good for your health, but will also keep you cool and refreshed. Grab a cold drink, utilize your fans, and relax while your Anchor Air technician has you covered.

Take A Cool Shower

The heat can be extremely uncomfortable, so for an immediate cool down we recommend taking a cold shower. This will help battle the temperature in your home and keep your skin feeling cool for a while after.

Find Another Spot To Hangout

If possible, find another spot to hang out while your air conditioner is being repaired. Use a friend’s pool, go to the mall or public library, or do a summer activity. Foley and surrounding areas have many public, air-conditioned areas for you to visit and stay cool this summer.

We understand a broken air conditioner is uncomfortable and frustrating. At Anchor Air, we can help repair your air conditioner quickly and efficiently to ensure your comfort. Give us a call for any air conditioning services this summer in Foley!

Vents Blowing Warm Air?

There is nothing worse than coming home to find your air conditioner blowing warm air. When the temperature is 3 digits outside, you need a reliable cooling system to keep you comfortable. In this blog we will answer the common homeowner question of “Why is my AC not blowing cold air?” and provide solutions to help get your air conditioner working properly!

There are many reasons why your air conditioner is distributing the muggy, warm Alabama air into your home. One of our trained technicians can help identify the problem and quickly get your home comfortable once again.

Your thermostat may be having issues.

If you notice your air conditioner blowing warm air, first check the thermostat settings. If your thermostat seems to be powered off, it may need a new set of batteries. If on, the thermostat should be set to cool and read a comfortable temperature. Best case scenario, someone changed your setting or temperature and you can go back to your air conditioner blowing cool air in no time. Unfortunately life doesn’t always work like that, so if everything seems to be working with your thermostat move to our next tip!

Your refrigerant levels may be low.

Refrigerant is critical to producing cool air in your home. It is likely the levels are low due to a leak, which can cause many other problems than just blowing warm air. If this is your issue, your air conditioner will continue to try to keep up with your temperature setting and blow warm air. We recommend contacting your Anchor Air technician to assist with this problem.

Your drain may be clogged.

Along with keeping you cool, your air conditioner is also tasked with dehumidifying your air. The moisture collected from your air goes out a drain pipe typically located near your outdoor unit. To check if your drain line is clogged, start with removing any visible debris. Deeper clogs can be removed by shop or wet vacuums or calling your Anchor Air technician!

Your condenser unit may be blocked.

Your outdoor unit is referred to as a condenser. Debris such as grass clippings, leaves, and branches can harm your air conditioner’s ability to function properly. Dirt and debris can cause your unit to overwork itself or produce a problem like blowing warm air. We recommend clearing any removable debris and carefully washing away the dirt with a hose, but to ensure it is done correctly give us a call.

Your air filter may be dirty.

Your air conditioner relies heavily on a clean air filter. A dirty or clogged air filter could be the source of many problems, not just blowing warm air. A dirty air filter harms airflow and makes it harder for your system to push cool air through. To keep your air cool and avoid a breakdown, change your air filter every 90 days or sooner depending on indoor pets.

Your evaporator coil may be frozen.

Much like the human body, all of the parts to your air conditioning system work together to keep you comfortable. If your evaporator coil is frozen and causing your unit to produce warm air, it could be due to a dirty air filter or clogged drain lines. Accessing your evaporator coil is a difficult process and best handled by an Anchor Air technician.

Give us a call at (251) 216-2622 if you notice your air conditioner is not blowing cold air. We are here to make sure you stay cool and comfortable in the Alabama heat this summer!