Is a Leaking Air Conditioner Dangerous?

August 13, 2021

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

Water leaking from your air conditioner isn’t dangerous 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, repairing a leak will require professional air conditioning repair.

In most cases, you can prevent your air conditioner from leaking by scheduling annual air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC tech will closely check your system for issues and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free cooling and may even improve energy efficiency.

Learn more about 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 home through a condensate drain line.

Because of the condensation process, having water back up 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 occurs:

Drain Line Is Clogged

Over time, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can result in water backing up inside your house. Our Edington Heating & Cooling Inc professionals can eliminate clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at 937-558-9478 for help.

Air Filter Is Dirty

We recommend replace flat filters monthly and pleated filters every three months.

Replacing your air filter is critical for:

  • Indoor air quality
  • Energy efficiency
  • Reducing breakdowns
  • Lengthening your air conditioner’s lifetime

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

If this doesn’t fix the issue, your drain pan might be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a pro, so contact us at 937-558-9478 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 probably has 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 usual
  • Bubbling or hissing noises near the air conditioner
  • Sweet odor near the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll want an HVAC professional like Edington Heating & Cooling Inc to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In most instances, it might just be better to schedule air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. Production of this coolant was halted in 2020 due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just reduced recycled quantities are available.

Rely on Edington Heating & Cooling Inc for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Troy, go with the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and reasonable services since 1958. Contact us at 937-558-9478 to schedule your appointment today!