Commercial air conditioners are rough and tough electronic appliances specifically made to cool down and keep commercial buildings comfortable. With time, these units are also prone to experiencing problems like leakages. A leaking commercial air conditioner can be a frustrating issue especially if you are not familiar with the troubleshooting process so it’s always better to hire commercial AC repair services. Below are some common reasons that cause leakages in commercial air conditioners and how you can fix and prevent them in the future.
Clogged Drain Lines
Clogging of the drain lines is a common reason commercial air conditioners leak water. Air conditioners tend to produce water as a byproduct of the cooling process and exit it through a pipe connected to the system. With time, these pipes can become clogged and force the water to push back.
In the initial stages, you might not be able to observe the issue but if water starts to leak, it means there is most probably a clogged drain line. Although, cleaning and ensuring drain lines remain clog-free is easy but people tend to underestimate it.
If the drain lines clog regularly, the water will push back, not only the air conditioner but also the furniture and other items in the surroundings. In worst-case scenarios, you will come across water puddles as well. The best way to fix clogged drain lines is by shutting down the unit and accessing the flow of water.
Calcium in the water can also result in deposits that could clog the drain lines and make them leak. You can simply use a cleaning agent along with a tool to remove it. But, make sure that you check and ensure proper cleaning of the drain lines to keep this from happening again.
Poor Maintenance Or Faulty Parts
Another reason why your air conditioner might be leaking and is often overlooked is poor maintenance or faulty parts. This decreases your HVAC efficiency and cause many other problems as well. Unfortunately, when it comes to selecting an expert, people tend to go for someone who is a lot cheaper than others. You might think that it is a smart move but not without compromising the performance of the unit.
Some states have strict regulations regarding maintenance and performing similar commercial unit tasks. This means they might have to go through training and acquire licenses before being allowed to work on units. As a result, professionals are meant to be a bit expensive but will guarantee satisfactory work.
In some cases, they will also offer a warranty on their work. So, if you had your commercial air conditioner recently serviced and is leaking, you should know that the job was not done properly. Plus, if any parts were replaced, they were either not compatible or you were a victim of fraud.
The only way to fix the problem is by contacting the expert or company that serviced your air conditioner and informing them about the issue you are facing.
Frozen Evaporator Coil
The evaporator coil is located in the outdoor unit. Its job is to cool the air. If the temperature outside is too cold, it will cause ice to form on the coil that will engage the defrost feature. Modern air conditioning units come with a defrost feature that helps the unit melt ice.
As the ice begins to melt, the water will leak from the unit. It does not necessarily mean the unit is faulty but you should keep an eye out regardless. In some cases, the unit may not be able to get rid of the ice if the temperature is too extreme. Plus, your air conditioner might not have a defrost mode. However, commercial units do have it.
In this case, you will need to pick a shovel and remove as much ice as you can. Make sure that you do not try to break the ice by hitting the ice with the shovel. You might end up damaging the unit.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Low refrigerant levels can cause the coils to freeze over. Air conditioning units require a certain refrigerant level to perform. If the refrigerant tends to leak for some reason, the unit will leak water. There could be multiple reasons why your refrigerant is leaking.
For instance, if the unit was recently serviced, it could be that the components or pipes were not connected properly. On the other hand, if the unit happens to be old, wear and tear with time will result in low refrigerant levels. If the unit is old, there is no point in spending money on expensive repairs and replacements.
Air conditioning units come with a specific lifespan and will need to be replaced regardless of how well-maintained they are. Furthermore, keep in mind that you cannot continue to run an air conditioning unit that is low on refrigerant. It will put other components like the compressor under pressure and may damage it permanently, which is going to be an expensive fix.
Does Professional Maintenance Help?
With professional maintenance from HVAC repair services Smithtown, you can ensure your commercial air conditioner performs without any issues. A common misconception surrounding professional maintenance is that it is just an expense. Companies choose to train their employees to perform basic maintenance but they are not able to access areas that need regular inspection as well.
On the other hand, professional maintenance goes beyond the usual cleaning and deep inside the unit looking for potential issues that could create problems in the future. This allows the experts to fix the problems right on the spot. Plus, you get to avoid expensive repairs as well.
Sometimes, the problem is right there but goes unobserved. Since an air conditioner consists of several components, one problem might affect the other and cause double trouble. That said, you must invest in professional maintenance and ensure the unit remains trouble-free for years to come.
How To Choose A Professional?
Choosing a professional can be an equally daunting task considering the number of options out there. You will be amazed to come across a sea of options and will eventually find it difficult to select the right individual. This makes people victims of scams and fraud as well.
The best way to choose the right man for the right job is by interviewing and going through portfolios. You should ask your social circle for any referrals and search your local area. But, even before that, you should contact the manufacturer or the company itself.
If for some reason, you have to find an individual yourself, you should gather multiple options and interview them to see if they are capable of performing maintenance. If possible, ask them to share their portfolio, licenses, and similar certifications. Once you have gone through the options, pick the one that offers the best quote and skillset.
Conclusion
Most of the commercial AC issues can be avoided if you keep an eye out for unusual signs and ensure both basic and professional maintenance. Commercial air conditioners are rigid working units but need frequent inspections and maintenance to ensure they do not run into problems when you least expect them. Find certified commercial HVAC companies Huntington who can repair and maintain your HVAC system.
