A leaky AC makes you wonder, “Is it worth fixing a leak in an AC unit?” Owasso’s reputable AC repair company is Quality, Heating, Cooling & Electric. We want to help you find out whether you should repair or replace the part causing the leak — or the system as a whole.
The Dangers of AC Leaks
The long-term effects of an unfixed AC leak might mean you can’t ignore some leaks. Those effects include:
- The environmental impact of refrigerant leaks
- The safety risks of toxic refrigerant leaks
- The hot Owasso summer weather that necessitates a functioning AC
So is it worth fixing a leak in an AC unit? Yes, whether that “fix” includes a patch job or a full replacement.
Factors To Consider When Determining Whether to Repair or Replace a Leaky AC
Understanding what is causing your leak can help you determine how to proceed. Several of these issues are signs your AC leak needs urgent repair.
The Type of Leak
The type of leak you’re dealing with affects the type of repair you need. The two most common leaks deal with refrigerant and AC coils.
The refrigerant level controls AC efficiency. If the refrigerant leaks, it will drain the unit’s ability to cool. You will see the results of this in your energy bill.
You also need to consider the severity of refrigerant leaks in AC units. Freon is hazardous, and leaving it in puddles on the floor endangers people and pets. The sooner you fix this leak, the better for your health, AC, and home safety.
Meanwhile, patching vs. replacing a leaking AC coil is another common dilemma.
This leak usually consists of water. A repair suffices for many water leaks. If it consists of something else, replace the coil. If the water leak happens again, get a repair to avoid further damaging your floor.
The Severity of the Leak
Besides endangering humans and animals, refrigerant degrades various AC parts. You might be better off replacing the whole unit. Instead of asking, “Is it worth fixing a leak in an AC unit in my Owasso home?” consider getting a new unit.
Compare the AC leak repair vs. replacement cost. If more than one problem is causing the leak, you’re not just replacing a part. You’re getting more than one repair. That could involve the purchase of multiple parts plus labor.
A new unit saves money in this case. An energy-efficient model pays for itself and will lower your bills.
It also lets you upgrade your HVAC system to one that offers personalized temps from room to room.
The Age of Your AC Unit
The age of your unit impacts the logic of a leak repair. In the end, you might be better off purchasing a new unit. There’s no point in repairing something that will probably keep breaking down.
Older parts take longer to find. The cost might increase because of that.
An old AC also lacks the efficiency of newer ones. Therefore, the leak costs you over time in the form of your electric bill. You might overlook this cost because you’re used to seeing it.
The Size of Your AC Unit
The size of the AC unit impacts a leak repair. Oversized AC units often suffer from short cycling. That means they turn on and off a lot.
Starting and stopping so much causes condensation accumulation. This overwhelms the AC’s ability to drain. A repair won’t stop this problem.
Repairing a leak in this situation often costs more than replacing the unit.
New Leaks Look Harmless
Some leaks look harmless at first. But they can cause a lot of problems. Ignoring some leaks costs thousands of dollars in AC repairs.
For example, leaks can ruin your floors. Floor repairs and replacements run in the thousands. Depending on where your AC unit is located, constant water exposure harms your home foundation.
Home foundation repairs rank as one of the most expensive repairs. It’s not unusual for an AC leak to lead to these big-ticket repairs.
Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electric Keeps Owasso Residents Safe and Cool
Leaks impact the function of your AC and your home. At Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, and Electric, we consider your safety, schedule, and budget when helping you decide, “Is it worth fixing a leak in an AC unit?” We handle other AC concerns like “Do ductless ACs need to be vented“? Whatever AC issue you need help with, our team is ready to help!
Contact Quality Heating, Cooling, Plumbing, & Electric at 918-393-4577 to handle your leak questions and repairs.
