Things have finally become a little cooler here in Lakewood and many of us have enjoyed the luxury of giving our AC systems a break. But that break isn’t likely to last for very long, considering how the climate here in Southern California can be.
So while you have time, you likely have been taking a look at your AC to make sure it is still doing well. At least, that is what we would do. And if you are like us, if you notice that either your indoor or outdoor unit seems to be leaking, you are wondering why.
A leaking air conditioner indicates a need for repairs, that much is easy to figure out. What you might be wondering though is what is causing the leak.
Eek! I Have a Leak!
If you walk outside and find a puddle around your air conditioner, it means that you have a leak somewhere in your system. Your unit doesn’t use water to do its job so finding a leak always means there is a problem.
There are a few different reasons that your cooling system might be leaking. These include:
Your System is Low on Refrigerant
If your refrigerant is leaking and running low, your system will be working a lot harder than normal. This can lead to your evaporator coil struggling to do its job and freezing over. This ice will eventually melt and leak out of your system. Alternatively, the liquid you’re seeing seep out of your system could be the refrigerant itself.
Your Air Filter Needs Cleaning
“How can my air filter cause a leak?” you might be asking. Let us tell you. If you air filter is clogged and covered in dust, it can’t filter out much of anything. This can cause two problems for your evaporator coil. The first problem is that it can get dirty which hinders its ability to absorb heat and will cause it to build up ice. The second issue is that it will have to work harder to do its job which can, again, cause your coil to freeze. In either of these instances, that ice will eventually melt and leak out.
A Clogged Condensate Drain Line
Moisture tends to collect on your evaporator coil and will drip off into a condensate pan. Your drain line moves this water outside of your home. However, if the line has a clog due to debris or build-up having gotten into it through the collected water, that moisture has nowhere to go. This run-off will eventually leak out.
What To Do When You Have an AC Leak
Whenever you have a leak coming from your cooling system, your best option is to reach out for professional help. A trained technician, like the ones at Greenleaf Heating and Cooling, will be able to identify and address any and all issues with your air conditioner.
If you are someone who would rather avoid this situation altogether, it is a good idea to schedule annual maintenance for your HVAC in Lakewood, CA. A yearly tune-up will keep your system running efficiently and will significantly reduce the risk of needing repairs a leak or other problems such as your AC blowing out warm air.
Contact us today to schedule your air conditioning service. We are here to help you keep cool.