When your air conditioner is working 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 home. On the other hand, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either case, fixing a leak will require skilled air conditioning repair.
In most cases, you can prevent your air conditioner from leaking by scheduling annual air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC tech will closely inspect your system for problems and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free performance 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 result of air conditioning. Your air conditioner has two units, 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 drains out of your home through a condensate drain line.
Because of 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 occurs:
Drain Line Is Clogged
Over time, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can lead to water backing up inside your home. Our AW Heating & Air Conditioning pros can eliminate clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Reach us at 402-438-7992 for help.
Air Filter Needs to Be Changed
We recommend replace flat filters once a month and pleated filters every three months.
Replacing your air filter is critical for:
- Indoor air quality
- Energy efficiency
- Decreasing 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 resolve the issue, your drain pan might be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a professional, so call us at 402-438-7992 for assistance.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?
Your air conditioner needs coolant to transfer 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 develops one. They include:
- Air that feels hotter or more humid than normal
- Bubbling or hissing sounds by the air conditioner
- Sweet odor near the air conditioner
- Frozen evaporator coil
Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC professional like AW Heating & Air Conditioning to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In most instances, it might just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. Manufacturing of this coolant was halted in 2020 because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only limited recycled quantities are available.
Trust AW Heating & Air Conditioning for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks
When it comes to air conditioning repair in Lincoln, go with the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and affordable services since 2000. Contact us at 402-438-7992 to schedule your appointment now!