When your air conditioner is working 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 home. On the other hand, a coolant leak is harmful to you and the environment. In either situation, repairing 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 inspect your system for issues and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free cooling and might even boost 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 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 house through a condensate drain line.
Due to 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
As time passes, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can lead to water leaking inside your house. Our Patterson & Stirling Inc professionals can eliminate clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Give us a call at 814-308-0416 for help.
Air Filter Is Dirty
We recommend replace 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 reduce airflow, make the coil extremely cold and cause it to freeze. As the coil defrosts, it can make the drain pan overflow. 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 may be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Replacing your pan or pump requires a pro, so call us at 814-308-0416 for assistance.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?
Your air conditioner needs coolant to move heat. If your air conditioner was put in before 2011, it likely has R-22 Freon. As time passes, chemicals in Freon can eat through 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 usual
- Bubbling or hissing sounds by the air conditioner
- Sweet smell near the air conditioner
- Frozen evaporator coil
Freon is bad for your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC pro like Patterson & Stirling Inc to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In most instances, it may just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is costly. Production of this coolant was halted in 2020 because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just reduced recycled quantities are available.
Trust Patterson & Stirling Inc for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks
When it comes to air conditioning repair in Erie, go with the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and reasonable services since 1860. Contact us at 814-308-0416 to schedule your appointment today!