When your air conditioner is working properly, your home 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 dangerous 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 case, repairing a leak will require skilled air conditioning repair.
In most instances, you can prevent your air conditioner from leaking by requesting annual air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC tech will closely check your system for issues and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free performance and may even improve energy efficiency.
Find out why your air conditioner is leaking and how you can prevent it from happening in the future.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Water?
Water is a natural byproduct 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, drips into a drain pan and goes out of your house through a condensate drain line.
Due to the condensation process, having water back up is a common problem. We often get calls about an air conditioner leaking water inside or an air conditioner leaking water outside. Here’s why it happens:
Drain Line Is Clogged
Over time, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can lead to water leaking inside your house. Our Central Heating & Plumbing professionals can eliminate clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Give us a call at 724-401-1843 for help.
Air Filter Is Dirty
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
- Lengthening your air conditioner’s life span
A dirty air filter can reduce airflow, make the coil very cold and freeze it. 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 may be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a pro, so call us at 724-401-1843 for assistance.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?
Your air conditioner needs coolant to move 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 odor near the air conditioner
- Frozen evaporator coil
Freon is bad for your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC pro like Central Heating & Plumbing to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In most instances, it may just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is costly. Manufacturing of this coolant was stopped in 2020 due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just limited recycled quantities are available.
Trust Central Heating & Plumbing for Repairing Your Air Conditioner Leaks
When it comes to air conditioning repair in New Castle, turn to the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and affordable services since 1967. Contact us at 724-401-1843 to schedule your appointment today!