UPDATE (17 APR) – Singapore COVID-19 ‘Circuit Breaker’ measures were announced to last from 7 April to 4 May. In light of that, it was declared that only essential services were allowed to continue operating, and that includes aircon servicing companies.
The clause is that aircon servicing companies can only perform emergency services if your aircon unit is displaying aircon repair symptoms. Such symptoms include aircon leaking water, aircon not blowing cold air, aircon gas leak, or aircon completely not working.
And only then, the aircon repair works are limited to aircon repair services, aircon chemical overhaul services and aircon installations only when it needs to be replaced because of complete breakdown. Normal aircon servicing is not allowed, which is why in the meantime, you can do it yourself.
If you would like more information on how or why your aircon is leaking, please read our full article guide below:
If you have ever owned an aircon, you have undoubtedly encountered any one of these common aircon issues, and that may include your aircon leaking. If this unfortunate event happens to you, no need to panic, our team of aircon servicing and aircon repair experts here at DW Aircon Servicing Singapore can easily fix that problem. In this article, we will discuss whether an aircon leak is considered an emergency aircon service or not.
*Update on COVID-19 Circuit Breaker Measures: Your aircon leaking is warranted as an emergency service under essential services. Please contact us to enquire how we may be of help. Thank you.
Reasons for Aircon Leaking Water
What causes an aircon leak?
When aircon leaking happens, it’s usually just water and in rare cases, coolant. There are many possible reasons for an aircon leak but here are the common reasons:
- Dirty air filters
Most people neglect their air filters, causing it to accumulate dust and dirt over time. Therefore, the airflow will be blocked causing the evaporator coil to freeze. Once the coil melts, the water will leak out of the aircon.
- Disconnected or clogged drain lines
Similar to air filters, drain lines can get clogged too due to lack of proper aircon cleaning. The accumulated dirt will clog the drain pipe, causing the water to backflow and leak at the back of the aircon.
- Poor maintenance
Aircons also need regular aircon maintenance to ensure that its components are clean and well-maintained. Poor maintenance will make your aircon prone to water leakages.
- Improper installation
If you experience water leakages when your aircon unit is newly installed, it is most likely due to faulty aircon installation. You should check if your aircon unit was installed on a flat surface, because it should have been installed on a slight downward angle. Aircon seals that are not fitted properly also causes condensation which can lead to leakages.
- Air leak
Air leak occurs when warm air entering the installed aircon fails to pass through the vent, causing condensation. Air leak can also occur due to loose seals, which should be repaired or replaced by an aircon conditioning service.
- Low levels of refrigerant
Refrigerant coolants help to cool warm and and blow it out as cool air. If there is not enough gas, the aircon will not blow cold air, causing the aircon to leak. You may also experience hearing bubbling noise or hissing sound, which is a sign of leaking aircon coolant.
In this case, your aircon will need an aircon gas top up, but if you suspect that your aircon is leaking refrigerant, you need to contact an aircon servicing company quickly as it is harmful for both you and the environment.
If you still want to find out more about causes of aircon leak, you may read these reasons for aircon leak.
Is your aircon leaking or just experiencing condensation?
A clear indication that you have a leaking aircon is if there is a steady drip of water that puddles every time you switch it on. One easy way to check is to look for puddles. If there is a pool of liquid under your aircon unit, it may be leaking. Another thing to consider is your aircon efficiency. If your unit is leaking refrigerant or if the evaporator coils are frozen, it will result in lesser efficiency.
After confirming that your aircon unit is surely leaking, check where the leak is coming from, and if the liquid is water or refrigerant. To help you tell these two apart, refrigerants have a sweet, chloroform scent.
If you can’t fix the aircon leak problem on your own or you’re just unsure, it would be best to let a professional aircon service company diagnose it for you.
After pinpointing where the problem source is, the aircon technician can go ahead with the aircon leak repair. Or if the damage is too severe and the aircon stops working, you would have the only option of installing a new aircon instead.
Dangers of Aircon Leaks
- Causes damage to the aircon unit itself
When you continue using your aircon despite it leaking, you put undue pressure on the compressor, which causes it to work harder, therefore increasing the electricity bill. This continued stress will ultimately cause irreversible damage to your aircon unit. You can repair aircon yourself, or engage a professional to repair your aircon. It would be expensive to delay repairing, so you should repair it in the first place.
- Leaking harmful refrigerant coolant.
Refrigerant coolants are the liquid flowing through the evaporator coils, which cools the warm air entering the aircon unit. This coolant whether it be Freon or R410A all contain Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), which when exposed to the atmosphere is not only hazardous to you, but also the environment. After leaking, refrigerants will turn into gas. When inhaled, it may cause health problems such as:
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Chemical burns
- Cough
- Irritation of the eyes, ears, and throat
If you think your aircon is indeed leaking, there’s a high chance that it is just leaking water. However, there are chances that it might be a harmful substance instead. In any case, both situations of aircon leaking can be considered an emergency, and needs an aircon servicing right away.
Fixing A Leaking Aircon Yourself
If you want to try repairing your aircon leak yourself, here is a guide for you.
Knowing how to repair your leaking aircon yourself and using the right aircon repair tools can help you save time and money. One reason for why an aircon water leak occurs is due to dirt and grime buildup in the air filters or drain pipes. When clogging occurs in the drain pipes, it can end up covering the condenser pan which leads to water leaking out. As such, it’s recommended to clean your aircon regularly to prevent such a problem.
The following are things to remember when cleaning an aircon yourself:
- Disable your aircon and disconnect it from the power supply
- Detach the aircon’s cover so you can inspect the vent where air is being sucked in. If the vent is blocked due to dirt buildup or other reasons, the cold air might be spreading into other areas.
- Be sure to also check your installed aircon’s seals especially around the vent and cooling sector to see if there are any air leaks.
- Also make sure to inspect the condenser pump and pan to see if any dirt has built up.
- Use a wire brush to remove any signs of dirt, dust, and debris.
- For more stubborn dirt which may be sticking to the vent, cleaning, pan compressor, and other parts, use a cleaning solution to ensure they’re fully removed.
- Once you’re done cleaning your aircon, dry it properly so that no moisture remains.
- When you’re finished cleaning your aircon, reassemble and test it to ensure that no more water leaks are present.
How To Avoid Aircon Leaking Water
- Once you’ve gotten your aircon repaired, it’s important to maintain it properly so that it doesn’t experience issues in the future. One way to do this is by conducting repeated inspections to see if it has accumulated any dirt or if any parts have been damaged. In case of the former, clean your aircon’s filters and its other parts regularly so that it continues to work properly for the long term. You can also install a larger condenser pan so that any water doesn’t spill out.
If you’re looking for a professional and experienced professional aircon servicing repair to fix your aircon emergency, DW Aircon Servicing Singapore can perform all kinds of repairs mentioned above.
Hiring A Professional Aircon Service Company
If the leak persists even after repairing it yourself, you should engage a professional aircon servicing company. When choosing a service provider to repair your aircon, be sure to contact one which specializes in various aircon servicing jobs. You should ensure that the prices of such services are fair and reasonable. You can also check their previous aircon works and reviews to confirm that their repair works are high-quality and excellent.
Among the best companies in Singapore to contact for aircon repairs is DW Aircon Servicing Singapore. Our professional technicians have plenty of experience in solving a wide array of aircon issues. By contacting us, you’ll be able to get your unit back to normal again.
DW Aircon Servicing Singapore provides an extensive range of Aircon Services including Aircon Servicing, Aircon Repairs, Aircon Installation of best aircon brands, Chemical Overhaul, Gas Top-up, Aircon Leaking Water, and Aircon Not Cold Fix and more. We have a team of professional technicians who are equipped with vast knowledge and experience in the Aircon industry. We have over 10 years of experience in dealing with aircon works and have completed thousands of aircon works for both residential (Landed, Condo, and HDB) and commercial. We are a highly recommended Aircon Company in Singapore, with many delighted customers and reviews over the years on Google and Facebook. WhatsApp us at +65 8241 0032 for transparent quotation and honest pricing for all your aircon needs. We offer a fast and efficient service to serve any of your aircon needs!
