Humidity and Condensate Drain Clogs

Florida's humidity levels regularly hit 80 to 90% during the summer months. Your AC pulls that moisture out of the air and channels it through a condensate drain line. In the warm, damp environment inside that line, algae and mold grow fast. Over time, the buildup creates a clog. When the drain line clogs, water backs up into the drain pan, can overflow onto your ceiling or floor, trigger the safety float switch that shuts your system off entirely, and create conditions for mold growth inside your air handler. Condensate drain cleaning is one of the most routine services we perform and one of the easiest problems to prevent with annual maintenance.

Heat Stress on Capacitors

Capacitors are the small cylindrical components that give your compressor and fan motors the jolt of energy they need to start up. Depending on the climate, a capacitor could last for 10 years in a moderate climate. The hotter the climate, the faster the internal material of the capacitor is affected by heat in Florida, with outdoor temperatures remaining above 90°F for months of the year. Hands down, the most common repair we make throughout the summer is for failed capacitors. Fortunately, this is also one of the most straightforward and inexpensive repairs.

Refrigerant Leaks from Thermal Cycling

With each temperature change, your refrigerant lines expand and contract a bit. Florida's extreme daily temperature swings (cool nights and very warm afternoons) cause the joints and connections to become fatigued over the years and cause small leaks. If the system is low on refrigerant, it will not be able to cool and will ultimately cause damage to the compressor if it is not emptied before the compression starts. Be sure to replace the refrigerant, but be sure to find and repair the leak first; you will be in the same situation in a few months.

Then throw in the lightning capital of the U.S. Voltage spikes during afternoon power storms can fry capacitors, contactors, and circuit boards in a flash. Common part inventories are kept on our trucks for a reason. Service calls associated with storms increase dramatically in summer.

7 Signs Your AC Needs Repair

The majority of AC breakdowns are not abrupt. They are the first to come to light. Early detection of these signals will avoid a big repair.

🔥 1. Warm or Lukewarm Air

When your vents are blowing air that is not cold, or only marginally cold, there may be a problem with low refrigerant, a failing compressor, or a frozen evaporator coil. Do not run the system and hope that it will go away. The problem will only get worse.

💨 2. Weak Airflow

If your registers have poor airflow, it means your blower motor is broken, air is blocked by collapsed ductwork, or a frozen coil is blocking air flow. The rooms, which once cooled down nicely, now cannot cool below 78°F, not a problem with the thermostat.

🔄 3. Short Cycling

Short cycling occurs when an AC is running on and off every few minutes, and never completes a full cycle. It is extremely difficult on the compressor, consumes energy, and is typically a symptom of an oversized system, low refrigerant, or an electrical problem. When left unattended, it significantly reduces the compressor's life.

🔊 4. Unusual Noises

A loose part is most often indicated by a bang. If the motor bearings are worn, this will be indicated by a grinding sound. A refrigerant leak is indicated by the hissing noise. When clicking at startup and this is not stopping, it is a failing relay or capacitor. There aren't any of these sounds there that are normal. Each one is pointing at something.

💧 5. Water Leaks or Pooling

If you have water buildup around your indoor air handler, it's always an issue. It's a clogged condensate drain (most common), frozen coil melting, or cracked drain pan. If left untreated, it can lead to water damage, mold growth, and even trigger a safety shutoff that will halt cooling altogether.

📈 6. Unexplained Spike in Electric Bills

The longer and harder it takes for an AC to reach temperature, the more trouble the AC has. If you've noticed your FPL has grown much higher and you haven't made any changes in your behavior, your system isn't operating efficiently any longer. A tune-up or specific repair will generally pay for itself rather rapidly.

👃 7. Musty or Burning Smells

If your vents are smelly, it's likely that there is mold in the drain pan or on the evaporator coil, which is a common Florida issue with the humidity. The burning odors indicate that an electrical part is overheated. They both require an urgent solution, not a 'wait and see'.

 "The most costly AC repairs we see are ones that began as a $200 repair that was ignored for 3 months."

The AC Repairs We Handle

• Air & Aero technicians are trained on all the major brands and have common parts on every truck, which will facilitate rapid same day service. Most of the following are services we run regularly:
• Our most frequently called-upon part during the summer is the capacitor, a simple and easy part replacement that restarts a system in an hour. Refrigerant recharge or leak repair must begin with the location and repair of the leak, which is the only way to properly repair a leak. Adding refrigerant without locating and repairing the leak is only a temporary solution. We clear and treat condensate drain lines to keep algae from building up and to ensure your float switch doesn't turn off your system on a 95-degree day during the hottest part of the day.
• When the evaporator coil is frozen, we allow the coil to thaw and then address the issue(s) that are causing the coil to freeze: restricted airflow, dirty filter, low refrigerant, or a mixture of these. Fan motor replacement includes the replacement of the indoor motor (blower motor) and the outdoor motor (condenser fan) with OEM or quality compatible parts. The most important one is compressor service and replacement. We will tell you what we see and let you know whether to repair or replace based on the economics.
• We also do thermostat repair, including simple recalibration of thermostats, or complete smart thermostat replacements, and electrical component repairs, which include contactors, relays, circuit boards, fuses, and disconnect switches that have been affected by the frequent lightning in Florida.

Our Repair Process, Step by Step

We feel you need to understand what will occur with your system first before you sign on the dotted line. Let's look at each service call:

Call or Book Online

Reach us at (407) 710-7168 or book through our website. You will be notified of your appointment, and for urgent calls, we will send a tech often on the same day.

Thorough System Diagnosis

Not only do we check the obvious symptoms, but the entire system. For instance, if a coil freezes, there are several
possible causes, and if the wrong one is treated, then we'll see you again in two weeks.

Plain English Explanation

We will let you know what we discover in a manner that is comprehensible to you. What broke, the reasons why it probably did, and how to fix it. Absolutely no jargon that will confuse.

Upfront Written Quote

We give you a definite price before we begin work on the project. No surprises at the end of the day on a final invoice due to hidden charges.

The Repair

Parts are on the truck for common repairs, and we do our repairs the same day. For components that may not be so common, we provide you with a realistic timeframe, and we are here for you.

Full System Test and Clean Up

We check temperatures, air movement, pressure of the refrigerant, and electrical readings before we depart. After that, we will clean everything thoroughly. Your home will be left as we found it.

Emergency Service

AC failures don't adhere to business hours. We offer emergency service Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM, and Saturday and Sunday, 9 AM to 3 PM. Call us if your system is down on a Saturday afternoon during July: (407) 710-7168.

Repair or Replace? An Honest Guide

It's a question that all the best AC providers have been asked on a regular basis, and most of them avoid it. We
don't. This is a very simple structure we follow when giving our own customers advice:

HVAC Repair Makes Sense When

• You have a system that is under 10 years old
• Failing to repair could result in a loss of 50% or more of the original system
• It is a single part, the capacitor, drain line, and fan motor
• The system has been well maintained
• You're not selling your home soon

Replace Makes Sense When

• Your system is 12 to 15+ years old
• Repair exceeds half the cost of new
• The compressor has failed
• There have been a number of repairs over the last 2 to 3 years
• System uses R22 refrigerant (phased out)

There is one particular question about the compressor that deserves attention: The cost of fixing a compressor is 50 to 70% of the cost of a new compressor, and you're spending the money on an old compressor. In these cases, the best advice we can give is to replace, particularly if the system is 8 to 10 years old and beyond. A new high-efficiency Trane system will reduce monthly electric bills and can often be the better investment in the long run.

One guideline that remains true: the costs of repairs multiplied by the system's age. If the number is more than $5,000, it is typically a better choice to replace it. This is not a foolproof method, but it's a great starting
point.

Why Choose Air & Aero

Since 1999, we've been here in Central Florida, serving our customers in some of the country's hottest weather. Here are some reasons why we are different:

Licensed and Insured, FL License CAC1819539 100% legally licensed by the State of Florida. It's a good idea to check our license on myfloridalicense.com whenever
you hire a contractor, and don't forget to check any other contractor's license.

Trane Authorized Dealer and Service Provider

Equipped with Trane equipment, which translates to manufacturer-level skills when your Trane system needs a tune-up,
and real parts.

Warranty on All Repairs

All repair work is covered by parts and labour warranty. Be sure to ask your technician about any coverage pertaining
to your repair.

Free Estimates

No charge for the diagnosis of your system. Before you decide to proceed, you will receive a full evaluation and
written estimate.

5.0 Stars, 243 Google Reviews

We are known for doing a good job and maintaining long term relationships. We would prefer to have a customer who will
keep coming back, rather than squeeze a few dollars out of one visit.

Financing Options Available

An unforeseen repair for your AC unit or even a replacement for your unit, which you weren't prepared for, may really strain your finances. We help you make your home comfortable now without waiting, with financing options. If you have a major repair or you're planning on installing a new system, there's definitely a solution for you. View our financing options.

Areas We Serve in Central Florida

Air & Aero offers AC repair services in Seminole, Orange, Volusia, and part of Brevard County. We serve the following
areas:

Lake Mary, Orlando, Sanford, Longwood, Altamonte Springs, Casselberry, Winter Springs, Oviedo, Winter Park, Maitland, Apopka, Deltona, DeBary, DeLand, Heathrow, Geneva, Chuluota, Titusville

If you're not sure if we cover your area, get in touch, and we'll let you know. Don't hesitate to give us a call at (407) 710-7168. If we can't help you, we can certainly help you find someone who can.

AC Not Cooling? Call Us Today

The weather in Central Florida will not be kind to your home if you don't take care of it. If the system is in operation during periods below 90°F, with heat and humidity conditions of 85%, it will require careful maintenance and
quick repairs if a problem arises. It is the house owners who know the indicators of their system and call for service early, and have a trusted technician whom they can depend on for honest evaluation, who will stay clear of the
largest bills.

We have the trust of thousands of Central Florida families since 1999. If your system is warning you or it's down, give us a call at (407) 710-7168 or schedule a time to visit our website. We'll be there quickly, tell you what's wrong, and fix it right, the first time.

Fast, honest repairs across Central Florida. 7 days a week, no surprises, free estimates.

(407) 710-7168 | Book Online