Date: July 18, 2022
One of the most common air conditioning calls we get from Boston area homeowners involves water or another fluid gathering around their equipment. Sometimes this is accompanied by weak or warm airflow. Other times, it’s the only visible issue.
There are a few reasons why liquid leaks from your A/C. You can fix some of the underlying issues yourself without having to bring in a technician. Others will require a service visit or potentially a whole new A/C.
Most air conditioning drips occur because a condensate drain line becomes clogged with mold, dust or dirt. A/C equipment produces a lot of moisture; if this line is blocked, that moisture has nowhere to go. So, it leaks out.
You can clear this blockage yourself with a wet/dry vac or call the Cubby Oil & Energy team to help!
If your drain line isn’t blocked, your drain pan may be rusted or damaged. You’ll want to replace it. In general, you should check and clean your drain pan monthly. It can become a haven for mildew and mold if left unattended.
So many home comfort and air quality problems can be fixed by regularly checking and changing your air filters. If an air filter is dirty, it can block airflow to your A/C evaporator coil. This results in the coil freezing and dripping water as it melts. Giving your filter a good cleaning (if replacing it, if necessary) should solve the problem.
Your system uses refrigerant to transfer heat from inside your home to the outdoor compressor. If your refrigerant level is low, it’s probably slowly leaking out of your system. This can be an expensive problem to fix if your A/C is older.
The primary refrigerant used in older A/C systems is called R-22 or Freon, which is harmful to the ozone layer. R-22 is no longer produced. New systems use a refrigerant called R-410A. Replacing R-22 has become a tremendous hassle. It’s harder to find, and as the supply of this outdated product dwindles, it becomes more expensive. Even replacement parts for R-22 systems are harder to locate.
If you have one of these older systems, it’s always a better idea to replace it. The central air and ductless mini-split cooling equipment we sell and install is far more energy-efficient and will save you lots of money on energy costs — plus keep your home more consistently comfortable!
If you need an A/C repair, drop us a line today.