When your air conditioner is working properly, your house will be cool and dry. A leaking air conditioner is frustrating but isn’t necessarily harmful. It depends on whether it’s leaking water or refrigerant.
Water leaking from your air conditioner isn’t bad but can cause a lot of damage to your house. On the other hand, a coolant leak is harmful to you and the environment. In either situation, repairing a leak will require professional air conditioning repair.
In most cases, you can prevent your air conditioner from leaking by requesting annual air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC tech will closely examine your system for problems 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 Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Water?
Water is a natural result of air conditioning. Your air conditioner has two systems, one outside and one inside. The indoor unit includes an evaporator coil that cools warm air as it blows over it. Condensation forms as the air cools, flows into a drain pan and goes 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 occurs:
Drain Line Is Plugged
Over time, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can result in water backing up inside your home. Our Watts Electric & AC professionals can eliminate clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Reach us at 601-736-7362 for help.
Air Filter Is Dirty
We recommend changing flat filters once a month and pleated filters every three months.
Replacing your air filter is crucial for:
- Indoor air quality
- Energy efficiency
- Reducing breakdowns
- Lengthening your air conditioner’s life span
A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, make the coil very cold and freeze it. As the coil melts, 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 fix the problem, your drain pan may be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Replacing your pan or pump requires a pro, so call us at 601-736-7362 for assistance.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?
Your air conditioner needs coolant to transfer heat. If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it probably uses R-22 Freon. Over time, chemicals in Freon can eat away at metal and cause leaks.
It’s good to know about air conditioner Freon leak symptoms in case your system has one. They include:
- Air that seems warmer or more humid than usual
- Bubbling or hissing noises near the air conditioner
- Sweet smell near 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 instances, it may just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. Production of this coolant was halted in 2020 because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only limited recycled quantities are available.
Trust Watts Electric & AC for Repairing Your Air Conditioner Leaks
When it comes to air conditioning repair in Columbia, turn to the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and affordable services since {year}. Call us at 601-736-7362 to request your appointment now!