Get matched with top heating and air conditioning pros in Fishersville, VA

If your drain line is clogged, your AC might stop cooling, shut down, or refuse to turn on at all. Otherwise, you might see your AC leaking water, find standing water or water damage near the unit, or notice a musty smell coming out of your air conditioner or vents.

If possible, avoid placing furniture in front of a return air vent. A blocked air vent can cause your HVAC system to use more energy, which in turn can lower the life span of your unit and raise your energy bill. Furniture can also trap hot or cold air, damaging your furniture or appliances. 

Professional duct installers suggest leaving between six and 12 inches of space in front of an air return vent. If you must place furniture in front of a return air vent, try to aim for putting furniture over a floor vent instead of in front of a wall vent, and avoid draping curtains over any vent system.

Here’s how AC professionals will clean your AC coils:

1. Unplug the AC unit or turn off the breaker to the unit in your circuit breaker box.

2. Remove the faceplate.

3. Spray a vacuum hose attachment or compressed air can to remove debris, dust, dirt, and grime.

4. Use a soft-bristled fin comb to remove stubborn caked-on debris.

5. Use the vacuum hose to suck up any extra debris.

6. Take a coil-safe cleaning solution and spray it onto the coils. Try to choose a no-rinse solution.

7. Let the solution sit for at least 15 minutes.

8. Gently wipe away loosened grime and debris with a microfiber cloth.

9. Reattach the faceplate, plug in your AC system, or turn the breaker back on.

The cost to add Freon to an AC ranges from $100 to $350. It can increase up to $600 for large AC units requiring much more coolant. The cost also depends on how much refrigerant your unit needs. If only a small amount of Freon leaked out, your cost would be on the lower side. A complete replacement of all the required refrigerant can get expensive.