Everything You Need to Know About AC Evaporator Coil Leaks

If you own an AC unit, you know how important it is that the AC is working as efficiently as possible. In order for this to happen, every little part of the AC unit has to be functioning. Even if something goes wrong with the smallest part of the AC, the entire unit could crash. One of these little – yet important – parts of an AC is the evaporator coil.

AC evaporator coils are critical components of any AC unit. The coils’ purpose is to cool the air before it gets distributed out into your home. They’re full of refrigerant, which absorbs heat from the air as it passes through in order to create the cold air.

Something that can happen to these coils is that they can start to leak refrigerant. Without proper installation, AC evaporator coil leaks can cause a complete breakdown of the entire system if they’re not properly addressed. If a leak occurs it’s important that you contact a professional immediately to get the problem fixed.

Here’s everything you need to know about AC evaporator coil leaks:

A leaky evaporator coil is a costly problem. For starters, your AC won’t be able to cool your home properly, meaning your energy bills will rise and your house could be uncomfortable on hotter days. Another issue that arises is that the refrigerant that leaks is harmful to breathe in. This could lead to health problems for the entire house.

And lastly, if the leak isn’t fixed, it will eventually cause a breakdown of the entire AC unit – meaning you’ll have to buy a new one. It’s best to address the problem as soon as you notice it. If you suspect a leak, call an HVAC professional immediately.

If your evaporator coils are leaking, here’s what might’ve caused it:

• Corrosion of the evaporator coil
• Holes in the copper tubing from aluminum fins
• Mold
• Drain line clog from dirt or insects

A professional will be able to determine what caused the evaporator coil leak, so that the problem can be addressed and fixed.

If you’re worried about an AC evaporator coil leak, the good news is that there are steps you can take to prevent leaks from happening.

The first thing you can do is try to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in your home. This includes paints, cosmetics, cleaning supplies and more. Another step you can take is to install UV lights in the unit’s air handler to destroy any mold or bacteria that might lead to corrosion. Another solution is to install an energy recovery ventilator. This system pulls fresh air into your home while pushing out contaminated air.

Lastly, it’s important to receive regular maintenance and repair on your AC unit. An annual check up will be able to identify any issues, such as AC evaporator coil leaks, before they turn into bigger issues!