Signs Your Air Conditioning Is Leaking
As any Florida resident knows, maintaining your AC system is an absolute must during the summer season. Even if your equipment is only down for a short period of time, the lack of cool air in your home can be very hard to deal with.
Air conditioning systems are extremely durable, but leaks may occur for a variety of reasons, leading to lower efficiency, lack of cooling, water damage, and other related issues. If you discover that your air conditioning is leaking, then it’s most likely due to one of the factors we’ve listed here.
Clogged Condensate Line
The most common reason that an air conditioner is leaking is due to a clogged condensate drain line. This will eventually occur as debris such as dirt, dust, and mold make their way into the line and create too much build-up.
This, in turn, causes water to back up and leak into your home. A clogged drain line can usually be cleared with the use of a wet/dry vac. If that doesn’t work, a professional can remove the blockage for you.
Refrigerant Running Low
Your air conditioner relies on refrigerant to keep it running properly. If refrigerant levels begin running low, you may experience leakage because of a lower amount of pressure inside the equipment. This will also cause diminishing performance, which can waste energy without any benefit. You can refill the refrigerant yourself, but if it becomes a common issue, call a professional.
Damaged Refrigerant Line
In addition to a low amount of refrigerant being a possible cause of water leakage, you may have a refrigerant leak because the line has become damaged. The steps to get it fixed will depend on the severity of the problem. It may be possible to replace only the damaged part of the line, but in some instances, the line will need to be replaced in its entirety. A professional will need to inspect the unit and decide which is best.
Air Filter Has Gotten Dirty
As we’ve covered in the past, a dirty air filter results in your air conditioning unit straining to do its job. The airflow blockage created by a dirty filter can cause the evaporator coil to become extremely cold and begin to freeze.
As the frozen coil defrosts, the resulting excess water can overflow your drain pan, thereby causing a leak. Checking the air filter once per month and either cleaning or replacing it as needed will prevent this problem.
Rusty/Damaged Drain Pan
Like the AC unit itself, the system’s drain pan is built to last for a very long time. Issues can arise, however, once the equipment has reached between 12 and 15 years old. If your system has been around for that long, check to see if the drain pan has rusted or otherwise shows evidence of damage. Replacing it with a new pan may fix the leakage issue.
Broken Condensate Pump
If your air conditioning unit is located in your basement, then its condensate pump is probably moving water to the outside of your home. As you might expect, this process will cease if the pump has become broken for any reason. Either inspect the pump yourself or call a professional. If it’s been broken, it will need to be either repaired or replaced.
Contact ACHV to Find Out if Air Conditioning Is Leaking
When your air conditioning is leaking, it’s important that you get it repaired right away so your home doesn’t feel like an unbearable sauna. If you’re in need of air conditioning repair in Pinellas or have any other issues related to your HVAC services and system, the professionals at ACHV services are standing by to help. Give us a call at (727) 453-2432 today to schedule a free consultation for air conditioning maintenance and repairs. Also, check out our special offers as well!
