Is a Leaking Air Conditioner Dangerous?

August 13, 2021

When your air conditioner is running properly, your home will be cool and dry. A leaking air conditioner is annoying but isn’t necessarily harmful. It depends on whether it’s leaking water or coolant.

Water leaking from your air conditioner isn’t bad but can cause a lot of damage to your home. On the other hand, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either situation, fixing a leak will require professional air conditioning repair.

In most instances, you can stop your air conditioner from leaking by requesting annual air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC technician will closely examine your system for problems and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free performance and might even boost energy efficiency.

Find out why your air conditioner is leaking and how you can prevent it from happening in the future.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Water?

Water is a natural byproduct of the cooling process. Your air conditioner has two units, one outside and one inside. The indoor unit includes an evaporator coil that cools warm air as it moves over it. Condensation occurs as the air cools, drips into a drain pan and drains out of your house through a condensate drain line.

Due to the condensation process, having water leak is a common problem. We often receive calls about an air conditioner leaking water inside or an air conditioner leaking water outside. Here’s why it happens:

Drain Line Is Clogged

Over time, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can lead to water leaking inside your house. Our Cooler Tymes LLC pros can break up clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Give us a call at 623-208-6444 for assistance.

Air Filter Needs to Be Changed

We recommend replace flat filters once a month and pleated filters every three months.

Replacing your air filter is crucial for:

  • Indoor air quality
  • Energy efficiency
  • Decreasing breakdowns
  • Extending your air conditioner’s lifetime

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, make the coil very cold and freeze it. As the coil defrosts, it can overwhelm the drain pan. We suggest inspecting your air filter if you haven’t changed it lately and your air conditioner is leaking water indoors.

If this doesn’t resolve the problem, your drain pan may be rusty or have a broken condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a pro, so call us at 623-208-6444 for assistance.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner uses coolant to transfer heat. If your air conditioner was put in before 2011, it likely uses R-22 Freon. Over time, chemicals in Freon can eat through metal and cause leaks.

It’s good to know about air conditioner Freon leak symptoms in case your system develops one. They include:

  • Air that seems warmer or more humid than normal
  • Bubbling or hissing noises by the air conditioner
  • Sweet smell by the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC professional like Cooler Tymes LLC to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In most situations, it might just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is costly. Manufacturing of this coolant was halted in 2020 due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just reduced recycled quantities are available.

Rely on Cooler Tymes LLC for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Litchfield Park, go with the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and affordable services since 2011. Call us at 623-208-6444 to request your appointment now!