When your air conditioner is working properly, your home will be cool and dry. A leaking air conditioner is annoying 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 home. On the other hand, a coolant leak is harmful to you and the environment. In either situation, fixing a leak will require professional 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 technician will closely inspect your system for issues and clean it. This service helps provide 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 air conditioning. Your air conditioner has two units, 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 drains out of your home through a condensate drain line.
Because of the condensation process, having water back up is a common problem. We regularly receive 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 backing up inside your home. Our Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces pros can eliminate clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Give us a call at 308-321-4703 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 crucial 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 extremely cold and cause it to freeze. As the coil defrosts, it can overwhelm the drain pan. 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 problem, your drain pan might be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a pro, so contact us at 308-321-4703 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 likely has R-22 Freon. Over time, chemicals in Freon can eat through metal and create leaks.
It’s important to know about air conditioner Freon leak symptoms in the event your system has one. They include:
- Air that seems hotter or more humid than normal
- Bubbling or hissing noises by the air conditioner
- Sweet odor near the air conditioner
- Frozen evaporator coil
Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC pro like Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces to repair 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 due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only reduced recycled quantities are available.
Trust Jack's Heating, Cooling, Stoves & Fireplaces for Repairing Your Air Conditioner Leaks
When it comes to air conditioning repair in Alliance, go with the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and reasonable services since 1975. Contact us at 308-321-4703 to schedule your appointment today!