Is a Leaking Air Conditioner Dangerous?

August 13, 2021

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

Water leaking from your air conditioner isn’t bad but can cause a lot of damage to your house. On the other hand, a coolant leak is harmful to you and the environment. In either case, repairing a leak will require skilled air conditioning repair.

In most instances, you can stop your air conditioner from leaking by scheduling annual air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC technician will closely check your system for issues and clean it. This service helps provide 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 result 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, flows into a drain pan and drains out of your home through a condensate drain line.

Because of the condensation process, having water leak is a common problem. We regularly 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 block the condensate drain line. This can lead to water leaking inside your house. Our Brookwood Inc pros can eliminate clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Give us a call at 641-316-9803 for assistance.

Air Filter Needs to Be Changed

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 melts, it can make the drain pan overflow. We suggest inspecting your air filter if you haven’t replaced 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 malfunctioning condensate pump. Replacing your pan or pump requires a professional, so contact us at 641-316-9803 for assistance.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner relies on coolant to transfer heat. If your air conditioner was put in before 2011, it likely has R-22 Freon. Over time, chemicals in Freon can eat away at metal and create leaks.

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

  • Air that seems hotter 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 pro like Brookwood Inc to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In many situations, it might just be better to schedule 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, just limited recycled quantities are available.

Trust Brookwood Inc for Repairing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Newton, go with the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and reasonable services since 1962. Contact us at 641-316-9803 to request your appointment now!