When your air conditioner is working properly, your house will be cool and dry. A leaking air conditioner is frustrating but isn’t necessarily dangerous. It depends on whether it’s leaking water or coolant.
Water leaking from your air conditioner isn’t dangerous but can cause a lot of damage to your home. On the other hand, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either situation, fixing a leak will require skilled air conditioning repair.
In most cases, you can prevent your air conditioner from leaking by scheduling yearly air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC tech will closely examine your system for issues and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free performance and may even boost energy efficiency.
Learn more about why your air conditioner is leaking and how you can stop it from happening in the future.
Why Won’t My Air Conditioning Stop Leaking Water?
Water is a natural result of the cooling process. Your air conditioner has two systems, one outside and one inside. The indoor unit includes an evaporator coil that cools warm air as it moves over it. Condensation occurs as the air cools, flows into a drain pan and drains out of your home through a condensate drain line.
Due to the condensation process, having water back up is a common problem. We regularly get calls about an air conditioner leaking water inside or an air conditioner leaking water outside. Here’s why it happens:
Drain Line Is Plugged
Over time, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can result in water leaking inside your home. Our Watts Electric & AC pros can break up clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at 601-736-7362 for help.
Air Filter Needs to Be Changed
We recommend replace flat filters monthly and pleated filters every three months.
Replacing your air filter is critical for:
- Indoor air quality
- Energy efficiency
- Decreasing breakdowns
- Extending your air conditioner’s life span
A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, make the coil very cold and cause it to freeze. As the coil defrosts, it can make the drain pan overflow. We suggest inspecting your air filter if you haven’t replaced it lately and your air conditioner is leaking water indoors.
If this doesn’t resolve the issue, your drain pan might be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Replacing your pan or pump requires a professional, so call us at 601-736-7362 for help.
Why Is the Air Conditioning Leaking Freon?
Your air conditioner needs coolant to transfer heat. If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it likely has R-22 Freon. Over time, chemicals in Freon can eat through metal and cause leaks.
It’s important to know about air conditioner Freon leak symptoms in the event your system develops one. They include:
- Air that feels hotter or more humid than usual
- Bubbling or hissing noises near the air conditioner
- Sweet smell by the air conditioner
- Frozen evaporator coil
Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC pro like Watts Electric & AC to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In many situations, it might just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. Manufacturing of this coolant was halted in 2020 due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just limited recycled quantities are available.
Rely on Watts Electric & AC for Repairing Your Leaky Air Conditioner
When it comes to air conditioning repair in Columbia, go with the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and reasonable services since {year}. Contact us at 601-736-7362 to schedule your appointment now!