When your air conditioner is running properly, your house will be cool and dry. A leaking air conditioner is frustrating 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 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 tech will closely check your system for issues and clean it. This service helps provide worry-free cooling and may even boost 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 result of air conditioning. 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, flows into a drain pan and drains 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 Plugged
As time passes, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can lead to water leaking inside your house. Our Stieferman Heating Company Inc professionals can break up clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at 573-635-3547 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 lifetime
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 suggest checking your air filter if you haven’t replaced it lately and your air conditioner is leaking water indoors.
If this doesn’t fix the problem, your drain pan might be rusty or have a broken condensate pump. Replacing your pan or pump requires a professional, so call us at 573-635-3547 for assistance.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?
Your air conditioner relies on coolant to transfer heat. If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it likely has R-22 Freon. As time passes, chemicals in Freon can eat away at metal and create leaks.
It’s good to know about air conditioner Freon leak symptoms in the event your system has one. They include:
- Air that feels warmer or more humid than usual
- Bubbling or hissing sounds by the air conditioner
- Sweet smell near the air conditioner
- Frozen evaporator coil
Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll want an HVAC professional like Stieferman Heating Company Inc to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In many situations, it may just be better to schedule air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. Manufacturing of this coolant was halted in 2020 due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just limited recycled quantities are available.
Trust Stieferman Heating Company Inc for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks
When it comes to air conditioning repair in Jefferson City, go with the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and affordable services since 1956. Contact us at 573-635-3547 to schedule your appointment today!