AC Unit Leaks And HVAC Repairs
Air conditioning systems must be maintained if you want them to run as they should. And, you must invest in a repair as soon as you think there may be a broken part on the system. Leaks are a common issue that must be addressed, so keep reading to learn about a few types of them and how your AC specialist with make the reapir.
Evaporator Coil Leaks
The evaporator coil is the triangular-shaped part that sits in the basement unit. The part is covered by an access panel and the ductwork will be directly attached to the housing. The evaporator is the portion of the cooling system that is responsible for pulling heat from the air. This leaves cooled air behind that is immediately sent up through the ducts and into the home.
If this part of the unit develops a leak, then it cannot do its job correctly. This leaves air warm or hot, and you will feel this stale air blowing through your vents. Along with the hot air, you may also notice that the coil is making a hissing sound and some fluid may be actively dripping from the coil. Upon inspection, leaking coils are often quite rusty and one or several spots across the piping may be leaking coolant.
An AC repair specialist will typically need to replace the evaporator coil if it is leaking. This is true if leaks are the result of old age. Thankfully, the coil may be as little as $500 to replace, making the repair a relatively inexpensive one. This also means that your HVAC professional may be quick to suggest a replacement as the fix instead of a more pinpointed repair.
Condenser Leaks
If the outside unit is leaking, then your AC expert is more likely to suggest a repair instead of a replacement. These units are at least a few thousand dollars to replace and leaks can sometimes be found and patched without the need for a full replacement. Leaks are common along the insides of the pipes that connect the unit to your home and also across any bends or elbows.
Condenser leaks are usually the culprit if you notice ice developing on the exterior of the evaporator coil. High pressure coolant escapes fairly quickly from condenser leaks and leaves the unit without enough coolant to run efficiently. In turn, the evaporator contains low fluid pressure and ice forms.
A leak detector will help the ac repair professional to locate the approximate location of the leak. At this time, entire sections of the coolant line can be replaced an a new leak assessment will be completed. Replacements can be made until no more leaks are detected.
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