Is a Leaking Air Conditioner Dangerous?

August 13, 2021

When your air conditioner is working properly, your home 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. On the other hand, a coolant leak is harmful to you and the environment. In either case, repairing a leak will require professional air conditioning repair.

In most instances, you can stop your air conditioner from leaking by requesting yearly air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC tech will closely check your system for problems and clean it. This service helps ensure 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 units, 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, drips into a drain pan and goes out of your home through a condensate drain line.

Because of 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 occurs:

Drain Line Is Clogged

As time passes, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can lead to water backing up inside your home. Our Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating professionals can break up clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at 949-317-4175 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 crucial 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 extremely cold and freeze it. As the coil defrosts, 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 issue, your drain pan might be rusty or have a broken condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a professional, so contact us at 949-317-4175 for assistance.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner relies on coolant to transfer heat. If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it probably has R-22 Freon. As time passes, chemicals in Freon can eat through metal and create leaks.

It’s important 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 usual
  • 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 want an HVAC professional like Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In most situations, it may just be better to schedule air conditioning installation since Freon is costly. Manufacturing of this coolant was stopped in 2020 because of its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just reduced recycled quantities are available.

Trust Ocean Air Conditioning and Heating for Repairing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Laguna Niguel, turn to the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and reasonable services since 1972. Call us at 949-317-4175 to request your appointment today!