When your air conditioner is running properly, your home 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 bad but can cause a lot of damage to your house. On the other hand, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either situation, repairing a leak will require professional air conditioning repair.

In most cases, you can stop your air conditioner from leaking by requesting annual air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC technician will closely inspect your system for problems and clean it. This service helps provide 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 the Air Conditioning Leaking Water?

Water is a natural result of the cooling process. Your air conditioner has two units, one outside and one inside. The indoor unit includes an evaporator coil that cools warm air as it moves over it. Condensation forms as the air cools, flows into a drain pan and goes 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 happens:

Drain Line Is Clogged

As time passes, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can result in water backing up inside your home. Our Tri City Fuel & Heating professionals can eliminate clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at 803-265-4208 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 crucial for:

  • Indoor air quality
  • Energy efficiency
  • Decreasing breakdowns
  • Lengthening your air conditioner’s life span

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, make the coil extremely cold and freeze it. As the coil melts, it can overwhelm the drain pan. We recommend inspecting 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 contact us at 803-265-4208 for help.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner relies on coolant to transfer heat. If your air conditioner was put in before 2011, it likely has R-22 Freon. Over time, 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 warmer or more humid than normal
  • Bubbling or hissing noises near the air conditioner
  • Sweet smell near the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is bad for your health if handled improperly, so you’ll want an HVAC pro like Tri City Fuel & Heating to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In most situations, it might just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is costly. Manufacturing of this coolant was halted in 2020 due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only limited recycled quantities are available.

Rely on Tri City Fuel & Heating to Repair Your Leaky Air Conditioner

When it comes to air conditioning repair in West Columbia, turn to the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and reasonable services since {year}. Call us at 803-265-4208 to schedule your appointment now!