When your air conditioner is running properly, your house will be cool and dry. A leaking air conditioner is frustrating but isn’t necessarily harmful. It depends on whether it’s leaking water or coolant.

Water leaking from your air conditioner isn’t bad but can cause a lot of damage to your home. In contrast, a coolant leak is harmful to you and the environment. In either situation, fixing a leak will require skilled air conditioning repair.

In most instances, you can stop your air conditioner from leaking by scheduling 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 performance and may even boost energy efficiency.

Find out why your air conditioner is leaking and how you can prevent it from happening in the future.

Why Does My AC Unit Leak Water?

Water is a natural byproduct of air conditioning. Your air conditioner has two units, one outside and one inside. The indoor unit has an evaporator coil that cools warm air as it moves over it. Condensation forms as the air cools, flows into a drain pan and drains out of your house through a condensate drain line.

Due to the condensation process, having water back up 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

As time passes, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can result in water leaking inside your home. Our Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC professionals can eliminate clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Reach us at 715-318-6728 for assistance.

Air Filter Is Dirty

We recommend replace 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 very cold and freeze it. As the coil melts, it can make the drain pan overflow. We suggest checking your air filter if you haven’t changed 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 broken condensate pump. Replacing your pan or pump requires a professional, so call us at 715-318-6728 for assistance.

Why Is the Air Conditioning Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner relies on coolant to transfer heat. If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it likely has R-22 Freon. As time passes, chemicals in Freon can eat away at metal and create leaks.

It’s important to know about air conditioner Freon leak symptoms in the event your system has one. They include:

  • Air that feels warmer or more humid than usual
  • Bubbling or hissing sounds near 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 pro like Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In most instances, it might just be better to schedule air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. Production of this coolant was stopped in 2020 due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only limited recycled quantities are available.

Trust Walter's-Eaton's Electric, Plumbing, Heating & AC for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Ellsworth, go with the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and reasonable services since {year}. Contact us at 715-318-6728 to schedule your appointment now!