Is It Risky To Ignore A Leaking AC?

An air conditioner that works properly will leave your Northern California home dry and cool. If the air conditioner is leaking water, it can be frustrating but is not always a cause for concern. Based on this, if the air conditioner is leaking coolant, you may want to call a service technician as soon as possible. Depending on where the water is leaking, it may cause considerable damage to your house. Conversely, a refrigerant leak is dangerous for your family and the environment.

It takes skilled AC technicians to repair a leak. You can also prevent AC leaks by scheduling yearly maintenance. An HVAC technician will inspect your system for issues during the appointment and clean it properly. This can also boost the energy efficiency of your unit.

Water Leaks in an Air Conditioner

Condensation in the form of water is natural during the cooling process. Your AC has an inside and an outside unit. The indoor unit is responsible for moving the air. It contains an evaporator coil that cools warm air. Condensation takes place when the air is cooled. Moreover, this is supposed to flow into the drain pan and out of the house through the condensate drain line.

AC water leak inside the home is a common problem because of the condensation process. This is why it happens:

Clogged drain line

Mold can grow over time to clog the condensate drain line. This can cause water to back up inside the unit and leak inside the house. You should have a trained technician visit your house to break up clogs within the drain line. This will help ensure the water drains smoothly again.

Dirty air filter

You should replace pleated filters every three months and flat filters on a monthly basis. It is important to replace air filters for the following reasons:

• Improving indoor air quality
• Decreasing breakdowns
• Improving energy efficiency
• Extending the lifetime of your air conditioner

Dirty air filters can restrict airflow, which can make the coil very cold and cause it to freeze. As the frozen coil melts, it can make the drain pan overflow. You should inspect the air filters to check if they are clogged. This is usually the primary reason for water leaking indoors. The drain pan may have a malfunctioning condensate pump. It can also be rusty. In this case, you should have the drain pump or pan replaced by a professional.

Freon Leaks in an Air Conditioner

An air conditioner requires coolant to move heat. Your AC probably uses R-22 Freon gas (if the unit was installed before 2011). Chemicals in Freon can eat through metal causing leaks with time. These are a few signs that your AC has a refrigerant leak:

• Air seems more humid or warmer than normal
• Hissing or bubbling noises near the AC
• Sweet smell emanating from the air conditioner
• Frozen evaporator coil

Freon needs to be handled properly because it can lead to numerous health concerns. In fact, production of this refrigerant was stopped in 2020 because of its harmful effects on the environment. You should have a professional air conditioner repair technician visit your home to deal with the coolant leak. Freon is a costly gas since only reduced recycled quantities are available. An experienced technician will never load you up on gas without first repairing it properly.