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 dangerous but can cause a lot of damage to your house. On the other hand, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either situation, repairing a leak will require skilled air conditioning repair.
In most instances, you can stop your air conditioner from leaking by requesting yearly air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC technician 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 Does My AC Unit Leak 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 house through a condensate drain line.
Due to the condensation process, having water leak is a common problem. We often receive calls about an air conditioner leaking water inside or an air conditioner leaking water outside. Here’s why it occurs:
Drain Line Is Clogged
Over time, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can lead to water backing up inside your house. Our H&C Heating and Cooling professionals can break up clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at 301-960-3247 for help.
Air Filter Needs to Be Changed
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
- 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 melts, it can overwhelm the drain pan. We recommend 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 may be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a pro, so contact us at 301-960-3247 for help.
Why Does My AC Unit Leak 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 develops one. They include:
- Air that feels hotter or more humid than normal
- Bubbling or hissing sounds near the air conditioner
- Sweet odor near the air conditioner
- Frozen evaporator coil
Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll want an HVAC pro like H&C Heating and Cooling to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In many instances, it may just be better to schedule air conditioning installation since Freon is costly. Manufacturing of this coolant was stopped in 2020 due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only limited recycled quantities are available.
Trust H&C Heating and Cooling to Repair Your Air Conditioner Leaks
When it comes to air conditioning repair in Laurel, go with the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and affordable services since year. Call us at 301-960-3247 to schedule your appointment today!