How serious an air conditioner leak actually is all depends on the type of leak it is.
First, it is important to point out that some air conditioners have a dehumidification process that can create condensation in or around the unit, but that is not a leak and not a serious problem. The two different types of leaks that you should be worried about are refrigerant or water: Refrigerant Leak: Refrigerant is the most important part of your air conditioning system. It’s the medium that absorbs heat out of the air to remove from the system and after being cooled, is used to cool incoming warm air. An easy way to identify if your system has low or no refrigerant due to a leak is if your system has stopped producing cool air. Most manufacturers have specifications for what the charge (amount) of the refrigerant should be. If your system is undercharged or overcharged it will not be working at its highest efficiency and could be more vulnerable to damage. Also, that’s why simply refilling your system’s refrigerant is not an adequate repair for a leak. You should call a Special Gas Services technician immediately to repair the leak or replace the refrigerant system all together. Water Leak: Water leaks can occur for a multitude of reasons. However, these leaks are usually only a concern when the water begins to pool around your system. Properly functioning air conditioners shouldn’t leak water. The drainage system should take away the condensate. If the water is pooling something may be wrong. It could be the result of a broken condenser pump, a blocked drain line, installation issues, a frozen evaporator coil or a system charge problem that has extended the ice formation on the refrigerant lines. What’s important to note here is that if water is pooling, dripping, or otherwise causing concern, don’t ignore it. It likely needs a professional to check further into the cause. To decipher which of these issues are causing the water leak in your system, call your Special Gas Services technician. When you look at both of these issues, one is much more serious than the other. Leaking refrigerant is an issue that can lead to serious damage within your air conditioning system. Click here to book a service appointment and have your air conditioner leak addressed immediately.