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

In most instances, you can prevent your air conditioner from leaking by requesting annual air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC tech will closely examine your system for problems and clean it. This service helps provide worry-free performance and might even improve 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 air conditioning. Your air conditioner has two systems, one outside and one inside. The indoor unit has 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

As time passes, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can result in water backing up inside your house. Our Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc pros can eliminate clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Give us a call at 602-832-7808 for help.

Air Filter Is Dirty

We recommend replace 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 restrict airflow, make the coil very cold and freeze it. As the coil melts, 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 may be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a pro, so call us at 602-832-7808 for help.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner needs coolant to move heat. If your air conditioner was put in before 2011, it probably has R-22 Freon. As time passes, chemicals in Freon can eat away at metal and cause leaks.

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

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

Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll want an HVAC pro like Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In many instances, it may just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is costly. Manufacturing of this coolant was stopped in 2020 due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only limited recycled quantities are available.

Trust Dial One Mears Air Conditioning & Heating Inc for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Phoenix, turn to the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and affordable services since 1973. Contact us at 602-832-7808 to schedule your appointment today!