Is Your AC Evaporator Leaking? Here's How to Find Out
The evaporator is an essential component of any air conditioning system, whether in a car or at home. It plays a crucial role in the AC air path. Namely, the evaporator absorbs the heat from the air that the AC sucks in, letting the cool air disperse. It consists of the core and the coils, which enable it to cool the air properly. Unfortunately, evaporators tend to leak after years of use.
Why does an evaporator leak?
The evaporator can leak either from the coils or the core. Here are the most common causes of evaporator leaks:
The evaporator core seal is leaking
Check the seal around the evaporator. A damaged seal can cause the evaporator to leak. If this is the case, the seal needs replacement.
The evaporator core has suffered corrosion
After years of use, evaporators will inevitably suffer from corrosion. The seal around the evaporator corrodes with time due to particles of dirt that the AC system sucks in. The seal has to be replaced in this case as well.
VOCs damage evaporator coils
In household AC systems, tiny holes in evaporator coils are usually the cause of the leak. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) form acids with moisture and create these holes. Every cleaning product and air refresher contain VOCs, so your AC system has been sucking in these harmful particles from day one. The danger with these tiny holes on evaporator coils is that refrigerant can also leak out, which is dangerous for the household and the AC system.
How to notice an evaporator leak?
Any issues with an evaporator leak will result in poor AC performance.
The most noticeable sign of an evaporator leak is a strange odor coming from the AC. This odor is the smell of the refrigerant. The characteristic odor indicates that the refrigerant is leaking from the evaporator.
Another sign of an evaporator leak is weak airflow. This inadequate airflow is usually combined with warm air, meaning that the evaporator is not cooling it properly. If the leak is small, the difference in air temperature may not be noticeable. However, if the leak is severe, the AC system won't cool the air at all.
If the AC doesn't cool the room as it used to, this can also indicate that the refrigerant is leaking out. In this case, the AC system can't distribute enough cold air to cool down the entire room.
What can you do to prevent an evaporator leak?
Change the filters often, ideally once a month. In this way, the air can flow efficiently into the AC, and there are fewer particles that can damage the evaporator coils. Also, minimize the use of VOC products. If possible, use air purifiers that capture VOCs.
Most importantly, hire an HVAC company to inspect the whole AC system. An expert will locate the root of the problem in no time.
Modern Air Conditioning & Heating is a Boulder City-based HVAC company offering 15 years of experience in residential and commercial HVAC services for all makes and models. You can also call us directly at (702) 919-4365.
