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 home. In contrast, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either case, repairing a leak will require skilled air conditioning repair.
In most instances, you can prevent your air conditioner from leaking by scheduling yearly air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC technician will closely check your system for issues and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free performance and might even improve 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 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 moves over it. Condensation occurs as the air cools, flows into a drain pan and goes out of your house through a condensate drain line.
Because of the condensation process, having water leak is a common problem. We regularly 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
Over time, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can result in water leaking inside your home. Our Fire & Ice HVAC professionals can break up clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Give us a call at 703-595-4157 for help.
Air Filter Needs to Be Changed
We recommend changing flat filters monthly and pleated filters every three months.
Replacing your air filter is critical 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 freeze it. As the coil defrosts, it can overwhelm the drain pan. 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 resolve the problem, your drain pan may be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Replacing your pan or pump requires a professional, so contact us at 703-595-4157 for assistance.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?
Your air conditioner uses 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 through metal and cause leaks.
It’s good to know about air conditioner Freon leak symptoms in the event your system has one. They include:
- Air that feels hotter or more humid than normal
- Bubbling or hissing sounds by the air conditioner
- Sweet smell by the air conditioner
- Frozen evaporator coil
Freon is bad for your health if handled improperly, so you’ll want an HVAC professional like Fire & Ice HVAC to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In most situations, it may just be better to schedule air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. Manufacturing of this coolant was stopped in 2020 because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just limited recycled quantities are available.
Trust Fire & Ice HVAC for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks
When it comes to air conditioning repair in Woodbridge, turn to the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and affordable services since {year}. Call us at 703-595-4157 to request your appointment now!