Is AC Leakage Dangerous? How to Deal With a Leaking Air Conditioner

October 28, 2020

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    Is water leaking from an air conditioner dangerous?Modern air conditioners are a true technological wonder. Not only are they quiet, affordable, and universally useful, they keep getting more energy-efficient with each passing year. It’s really no surprise that over 90% of American homes contain at least one of these marvelous devices.

    That being said, air conditioners aren’t perfect. Sooner or later, regular use will cause your AC to malfunction in some way that requires AC repair in Queen Creek. One of the most common problems occurs when water or refrigerant starts leaking out of your interior AC unit.

    Telltale signs of a leaking AC include:

     

    • There’s a puddle (or wet spots on the furniture) underneath your indoor AC unit.
    • There’s water damage (eg., water spots near the AC, damaged floor, etc.)
    • The room the interior AC unit is in (or even your entire house) has a moldy odor.
    • The condensate pan is full.

    Is water leaking from an air conditioner dangerous?

    There are many reasons why your AC may start leaking. For example, a broken condenser pump will make it impossible for your basement AC to remove excess water. Likewise, water may pass right through a rusty or damaged drip pan instead of going into the drain line.

    In all of these cases, the substance that’s leaking out of the air conditioner is just water and therefore harmless to people. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should ignore it. The dripping water can still damage your belongings, increase the likelihood of a mold infestation, and even cause wall rot.

    Unfortunately, your AC may also be leaking refrigerant. Not only is this a serious malfunction that can irreparably break your AC, if the refrigerant evaporates it will turn into a gas that can be harmful to you and your family.

    Signs of leaking refrigerant include:

     

    • Your electric bills are higher than usual.
    • The copper lines or evaporator coils have frozen over.
    • The air conditioner isn’t blowing cool air anymore.
    • Your home takes longer to cool down than before.

    How do you fix a leaking air conditioner?

    This depends on the specific issue that’s causing your AC to leak water or refrigerant. While some problems (such as dirty air filters) are easy to diagnose, others require a more in-depth understanding of the way ACs work.

    Unless you’re absolutely confident in your ability to correctly diagnose AC malfunctions, your best course of action is to give the experts a call.

    Here’s how to fix a leaking AC:

     

    • Dirty filters. AC filters should be replaced (or cleaned, if they’re reusable) once every 1-3 months, depending on the time of year and how much you use your air conditioner.
    • A broken condenser pump should be replaced or repaired.
    • A corroded or damaged drain pan should be replaced.
    • A clogged condensate drain line should be unclogged or replaced.
    • If the refrigerant is running low, it should be refilled. Just to be safe, check for signs of refrigerant leaks.
    • Leakage due to using AC during cold weather. Refrain from using your AC to cool your place while it’s cold outside.

    Where can I book top-of-the-line AC repair in Queen Creek?

    How do you fix a leaking air conditioner?Picture the following scenario: after a long day at work, you’ve finally picked up your kids from the Queen Creek High School and arrived home. You kick off your shoes and sit in your favorite chair, only to discover your AC has stopped working and that your living room is as almost as hot as the street outside.

    Hughes Air can help! With over 30 years of hands-on experience and the distinction of being named the Mesa area’s premier Trane HVAC Installer, we can proudly call ourselves the finest HVAC contractors in Arizona. Contact us today.