When your air conditioner is running 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 bad 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 case, fixing a leak will require professional air conditioning repair.
In most instances, you can stop your air conditioner from leaking by scheduling annual air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC tech will closely inspect your system for issues and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free performance and might even improve energy efficiency.
Find out 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 byproduct of the cooling process. Your air conditioner has two systems, one outside and one inside. The indoor unit has an evaporator coil that cools warm air as it blows over it. Condensation forms as the air cools, drips 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 occurs:
Drain Line Is Plugged
Over time, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can lead to water backing up inside your home. Our Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating professionals can break up clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Give us a call at 641-628-3621 for assistance.
Air Filter Is Dirty
We recommend changing flat filters once a month and pleated filters every three months.
Replacing your air filter is critical for:
- Indoor air quality
- Energy efficiency
- Reducing 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 melts, 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 may be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Replacing your pan or pump requires a pro, so call us at 641-628-3621 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. As time passes, chemicals in Freon can eat away at metal and cause leaks.
It’s important to know about air conditioner Freon leak symptoms in case your system has one. They include:
- Air that feels hotter or more humid than normal
- Bubbling or hissing sounds near the air conditioner
- Sweet smell by the air conditioner
- Frozen evaporator coil
Freon is bad for your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC professional like Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In most instances, it may just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. 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 Van Haaften Plumbing & Heating for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks
When it comes to air conditioning repair in Pella, turn to the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and affordable services since 1949. Call us at 641-628-3621 to request your appointment now!