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 house. In contrast, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either situation, repairing a leak will require skilled air conditioning repair.

In most cases, you can stop your air conditioner from leaking by requesting yearly air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC technician will closely examine your system for issues and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free performance 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 the cooling process. Your air conditioner has two systems, one outside and one inside. The indoor unit has 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 house through a condensate drain line.

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

Drain Line Is Clogged

As time passes, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can lead to water backing up inside your home. Our North Mechanical Heating and Cooling pros can break up clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at 928-263-8570 for assistance.

Air Filter Is Dirty

We recommend changing 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 reduce airflow, make the coil extremely cold and cause it to freeze. As the coil defrosts, it can overwhelm the drain pan. We recommend inspecting your air filter if you haven’t changed 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 928-263-8570 for help.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

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

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

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

Freon is bad for your health if handled improperly, so you’ll want an HVAC pro like North Mechanical Heating and Cooling to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In most instances, it might just be better to request 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, only limited recycled quantities are available.

Rely on North Mechanical Heating and Cooling for Repairing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Payson, go with the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and affordable services since 2004. Contact us at 928-263-8570 to request your appointment now!