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 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. In contrast, 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 examine your system for problems and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free cooling and might 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 air conditioning. Your air conditioner has two units, one outside and one inside. The indoor unit includes an evaporator coil that cools warm air as it blows over it. Condensation occurs as the air cools, flows into a drain pan and goes 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 happens:

Drain Line Is Clogged

Over time, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can lead to water leaking inside your house. Our Comfort Zone, LLC professionals can eliminate clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Reach us at 239-214-0411 for assistance.

Air Filter Is Dirty

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

Replacing your air filter is critical for:

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

A dirty air filter can reduce airflow, make the coil very cold and freeze it. As the coil defrosts, it can make the drain pan overflow. 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. Replacing your pan or pump requires a professional, so call us at 239-214-0411 for help.

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 away at metal and cause leaks.

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

  • Air that feels hotter or more humid than usual
  • Bubbling or hissing noises near the air conditioner
  • Sweet odor by the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is bad for your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC pro like Comfort Zone, LLC to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In most instances, it may 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 Comfort Zone, LLC for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Cape Coral, go with the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and reasonable services since 1985. Call us at 239-214-0411 to request your appointment now!