The last thing that you want to discover in the middle of a hot summer day is that something has gone wrong with your home cooling system. The unfortunate truth of the matter, however, is that no mechanical system is 100% reliable, and your AC is no exception. There is good news, though. You can count on our technicians to complete any necessary AC repairs in Arlington, VA properly.
One call that we receive from time to time pertains to water leaks in air conditioners. Read on to learn more about why this symptom of leaking water is actually a bit deceiving.
Your Air Conditioner Does Not Use Water in Its Operation
That’s right. Your air conditioner is not actually “leaking” water, as it does not contain water nor does it use water in its operation. It uses refrigerant, which is a heat transfer fluid, but water around your system is not really indicative of a leak. Of course, that doesn’t mean that your eyes are playing tricks on you. There very well may be water around your AC. So where does it come from?
One potential source of this water is a backed up condensate drain, a damaged drain line, or an improperly placed drain pan. You see, your air conditioner dehumidifies the air somewhat as it operates. In doing so, condensation is formed, and this condensation is drained away from the system via a condensate drain. If this drain assembly is damaged or not positioned properly, then it may account for your “water leak.”
This water around the system could also be the result of ice melting off of your evaporator coil. If you have a refrigerant leak, or if a very dirty air filter is limiting airflow over this coil, the condensation removed from the air passing over the coil can freeze to it. When it melts, it may pool around the system.
To schedule prompt AC repairs throughout the area, just call upon the pros on the Polar Bear Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. team.