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 frustrating 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 house. In contrast, a coolant leak is harmful to you and the environment. In either situation, fixing a leak will require professional 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 tech will closely examine your system for issues and clean it. This service helps ensure 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 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 blows over it. Condensation forms 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 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 result in water leaking inside your home. Our Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. professionals can break up clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Give us a call at 956-630-3522 for help.

Air Filter Needs to Be Changed

We recommend replace flat filters monthly and pleated filters every three months.

Replacing your air filter is crucial for:

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

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, make the coil extremely cold and cause it to freeze. As the coil melts, it can overwhelm the drain pan. 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. Getting a new pan or pump requires a pro, so contact us at 956-630-3522 for assistance.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

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

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

  • Air that seems warmer or more humid than usual
  • Bubbling or hissing sounds near the air conditioner
  • Sweet odor near the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is bad for your health if handled improperly, so you’ll want an HVAC pro like Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In many situations, it might just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. Production of this coolant was halted in 2020 because of its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just reduced recycled quantities are available.

Rely on Cytech Heating & Cooling L.C. for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in the Rio Grande Valley, go with the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and reasonable services since 1991. Contact us at 956-630-3522 to schedule your appointment today!