AC leaking? In this guide, we take you through the way these systems work, whether it’s an emergency, what the cause of the leak likely is, and steps to take if this has happened to you.

Should You Run Your HVAC When It’s Leaking?

Do you ever find yourself sitting on a sofa or a chair inside somewhere and all the sudden you feel something wet land on your arm or your head? It doesn’t make sense, because you’re not outside, so it shouldn’t be raining. And yet it is. Then you look up and you realize, the only logical explanation is your AC. Is it time to panic? Are you going to damage it if you don’t shut it off? Then imagine you come back later to find a whole puddle building up on the ground. 

This uncomfortable situation is not one that’ll just go away. It’s one that needs to be handled, and by a pro. You sunk a lot of cash into your HVAC. Best not let that investment go to waste. Plus, the home temperature is nothing to be toyed with. There are few things that the average Joe can do in this situation to remedy it himself, as there are a lot of causes, some of them quite dangerous. 

Identifying the Type of Leak

One of the most crucial things to figure out in this situation is what exactly is leaking.

Water

This is the most common type of leak you’ll see in an air conditioner. In many cases it comes down to how the system handles condensation. When warm indoor air passes over the cold evaporator coil, moisture in the air naturally condenses on the coil’s surface, just like a cold drink “sweats” on a hot day. Normally, this water drips into a drain pan and flows out through a condensate drain line. But if that line becomes clogged with filth, water can back up and overflow. 

Another thing that does happen is when ice has covered up what’s known as your evaporator coil if your airflow has been cut off. After that, that ice melts again and turns into the water that you could be witnessing oozing out, since there’s too much for the drain to take. While some water issues can be handled temporarily by emptying a catch pan or clearing a minor blockage

When It Might Be Temporarily Safe

Just because you see a leak doesn’t necessarily mean it’s time to panic and that the AC has to be shut down at once. Sometimes you may just be dealing with a minor issue and you can still keep it running for a little while until the repair guy arrives from a company, Repair NYC for instance.

Minor Condensation Drips

Especially if you live in a humid climate, a little water dripping from your indoor unit isn’t unusual. If the leak is slow and the water is clean, it’s clearly just condensation that isn’t draining away as efficiently as it should and you can keep it running for a while. This may be caused by the condensate line being partially clogged or the system is producing more moisture than usual because of weather conditions.

You can keep if going if you do this:

• Collect the water in a bucket or pan 

• Keep an eye on it

• Make sure you’ve replaced the filter if you haven’t done so recently to keep the airflow strong

• Make sure no vents are blocked 

Sometimes it’s absolutely a question to shut off the system, especially when you’re living under extreme heat or cold. Some things that you can do are, turning the power off real quick when inspecting it to avoid electrical hazards. Also wipe it up sometimes to prevent it from seeping into flooring or walls. Consider operating the cooling at a few degrees higher and the heating at a few degrees lower in the winter. Don’t overwork the system too much. Recently, in Nagpur, a whole train car of passengers was harmlessly soaked in AC water that burst out.

When You Should Shut it Off Immediately

Now for the serious stuff.

Refrigerant Leaks

If you suspect that what you’re dealing with is a refrigerant leak, the safest choice is to shut the system down at once. These are far more serious and must be tended to right away. If refrigerant is low, that means there’s a leak caused by corrosion, cracks, bad connections – the possibilities go on. Refrigerant is dangerous and it will burn you. You can’t even breathe it or you’re in for a bad time. 

When refrigerant escapes, the AC loses its ability to transfer heat effectively. You may notice:

• warm air blowing from the vents

• ice forming on the coils

• strange hissing

• bubbling noises 

• faint chemical smell can be present. 

Don’t overwork your system to the point it breaks down.

Major Water Leak

Rapid outpouring will damage your home. Even worse, water that comes into contact with electrical components can create a shock or fire hazard. If you see water spreading beyond the immediate area of the HVAC unit—or dripping near wiring or circuit boards—turn the system off and cut power at the breaker until repairs are made.

Besides that, it’s not the funnest thing in the work to get your socks sopping wet and have to walk around a puddle all the time anyway. Imagine if you accidentally drop your phone. Even worse than that, the longer you let water just sit, the greater the chance you may see mold take shape. That’s disgusting.

Oil or Other Fluids Leaking

Often, oil travels with the refrigerant, though not common, as it’s just there to lubricate internal components so they don’t grind against each other. These leaks are a red flag for mechanical trouble. And if you spot dark, greasy oil residue it may mean there’s a refrigerant leak too.

What to Do If Your HVAC Is Leaking

If it appears to be condensation, there are a few things you can do. First, switch the whole system off and look at the filters and see if they’re dirty, as this can be cutting off airflow and causing the coils to cover up in ice and produce too much water. Find the condensation drain line and see if a clog has formed. Sometimes just flushing it with warm water or diluted vinegar can fix the whole issue and get it draining like it’s supposed to again. Also, wipe up any water that accumulates on the floor since it can drip down to the next floor.

In the vast majority of cases, this won’t be the case though and it’s all but a virtual certainty that calling a professional is going to be a must, even if it seems to be some minor thing. There are all kinds of components that could’ve been damaged. Skip the temporary band-aids.