When your air conditioner is running properly, your home will be cool and dry. A leaking air conditioner is annoying but isn’t necessarily dangerous. 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. In contrast, a coolant leak is dangerous for 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 scheduling yearly air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC tech will closely examine your system for problems and clean it. This service helps provide worry-free cooling and might even improve energy efficiency.
Learn more about 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 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 forms as the air cools, flows into a drain pan and goes out of your home through a condensate drain line.
Because of the condensation process, having water leak 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 result in water leaking inside your home. Our Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning pros can eliminate clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at 360-255-5857 for assistance.
Air Filter Is Dirty
We recommend changing flat filters monthly and pleated filters every three months.
Replacing your air filter is crucial for:
- Indoor air quality
- Energy efficiency
- Reducing 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 overwhelm the drain pan. We recommend inspecting your air filter if you haven’t changed it lately and your air conditioner is leaking water indoors.
If this doesn’t fix the issue, your drain pan might be rusty or have a broken condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a professional, so call us at 360-255-5857 for assistance.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?
Your air conditioner relies on coolant to move heat. If your air conditioner was put in before 2011, it probably has R-22 Freon. Over time, chemicals in Freon can eat away at metal and create leaks.
It’s good to know about air conditioner Freon leak symptoms in case your system has one. They include:
- Air that feels warmer or more humid than normal
- 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 Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In most situations, it might just be better to schedule air conditioning installation since Freon is costly. Manufacturing of this coolant was halted in 2020 because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just limited recycled quantities are available.
Rely on Service Max Heating & Air Conditioning to Fix Your Leaky Air Conditioner
When it comes to air conditioning repair in Arlington, turn to the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and reasonable services since year. Contact us at 360-255-5857 to request your appointment today!