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 dangerous but can cause a lot of damage to your home. In contrast, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either situation, fixing a leak will require professional air conditioning repair.
In most cases, you can stop your air conditioner from leaking by scheduling yearly air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC technician will closely examine your system for issues and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free performance and may even improve energy efficiency.
Learn more about 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 includes an evaporator coil that cools warm air as it blows over it. Condensation occurs as the air cools, drips into a drain pan and goes out of your home through a condensate drain line.
Due to the condensation process, having water leak 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 Clogged
Over time, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can lead to water backing up inside your home. Our Polar Air & Mechanical professionals can eliminate clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Reach us at 843-253-4874 for assistance.
Air Filter Is Dirty
We recommend replace flat filters monthly and pleated filters every three months.
Replacing your air filter is critical 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 freeze it. As the coil defrosts, it can make the drain pan overflow. We suggest 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 problem, your drain pan may be rusty or have a broken condensate pump. Replacing your pan or pump requires a pro, so call us at 843-253-4874 for help.
Why Is the Air Conditioning Leaking Freon?
Your air conditioner uses coolant to move heat. If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it likely uses 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 case your system develops one. They include:
- Air that feels warmer or more humid than usual
- 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 pro like Polar Air & Mechanical to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In most instances, it might just be better to schedule air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. Production of this coolant was stopped in 2020 because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only limited recycled quantities are available.
Trust Polar Air & Mechanical for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks
When it comes to air conditioning repair in Myrtle Beach, 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 843-253-4874 to schedule your appointment now!
