Your AC: The Most Important System in the House
In South Texas, your air conditioner isn’t a luxury — it’s a lifeline. The most common summer HVAC issue we see? Clogged condensate drain lines.
Why Drain Lines Clog
Your AC removes humidity from the air as it cools your home. That moisture drains out through a condensate line. In hot, humid conditions, algae and dust build up inside that line over time and eventually cause a clog. When it backs up, water has nowhere to go — and it finds a way out through your ceiling or flooring instead.
How to Tell If Your Drain Line Is Clogged
- Water dripping from the unit or pooling near the air handler
- A musty or mildew smell coming from the vents
- The AC is running but not cooling as well as it should
What to do: Submit a maintenance request through the Tenant Portal right away. Do not attempt to fix this yourself — using a wet vac or bleach on an HVAC system without knowing the setup can cause more damage than the original clog. We’ll get someone out to assess and clear the line. Catching it early can prevent water damage to ceilings and flooring.
Air Filters: A Simple Monthly Check
Check your air filter every month during summer — more often if you have pets or if construction is happening nearby. A dirty filter makes your AC work harder, increases your electric bill, and can shorten the lifespan of the unit. If your filter looks gray and clogged, submit a maintenance request and we’ll take care of it.
Filter replacement is a landlord responsibility at EWG Properties — don’t buy and swap filters yourself, just let us know.
Ceiling Fans: Set Them Right
Ceiling fans don’t change the temperature in a room — they create a wind chill effect that makes it feel cooler. For summer, make sure your fan is spinning counterclockwise when you look up at it. This pushes air down and creates that cooling breeze. In winter, switch it clockwise on a low setting to recirculate warm air that rises to the ceiling. There’s usually a small switch on the motor housing.
Keep Fridge and Freezer Vents Clear
Your refrigerator has coils and vents — usually at the bottom front or on the back — that release heat. If those are blocked by boxes or debris, your fridge works harder to stay cold and runs up your electric bill. Pull it a few inches from the wall and make sure nothing is blocking the back vents. This is a quick one you can handle yourself.
Weatherstripping and Window Seals
When it’s 103°F outside, even a small gap around a door or window lets hot air pour in and cool air escape. Check the weatherstripping around your exterior doors and windows. If you notice any of the following, submit a maintenance request:
- Visible daylight around the door frame
- A draft of hot air when the door is closed
- Condensation forming inside windows
Fixing broken seals is our responsibility — but catching it early means your home stays cooler and your electric bill stays lower.
What EWG Handles vs. What You Handle
EWG handles
- AC unit maintenance and drain line clearing
- Filter replacement
- Weatherstripping and seal repairs
- All electrical, plumbing, and HVAC repairs
You handle
- Keeping vents and registers unblocked
- Letting us know when something seems off
- Not blocking fridge vents
- Setting ceiling fans correctly
When in doubt, submit a request. We’d rather hear about a minor issue before it becomes a major one.
When Is It an Emergency?
If your AC goes out completely and outdoor temperatures are above 100°F, that qualifies as a maintenance emergency — especially if children, elderly residents, or anyone with a health condition is in the home. See our after-hours emergency guide for how to reach us outside of office hours.
How to Submit a Maintenance Request
All non-emergency maintenance requests should go through the Tenant Portal — it’s the fastest way to get your request logged, assigned, and responded to. Log in at ewgproperties.com/residents or reach us directly at (210) 698-6900 or leasing@eastwestgroup.io.
South Texas summers are tough, but your home should be your refuge from the heat. Keep an eye out, report issues early, and let us handle the rest.
