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 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 situation, repairing a leak will require skilled 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 inspect your system for issues 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 result 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 forms as the air cools, drips into a drain pan and drains out of your home through a condensate drain line.

Because of the condensation process, having water back up 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 occurs:

Drain Line Is Clogged

As time passes, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can result in water leaking inside your home. Our B & B Heating & Cooling professionals can break up clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at 314-325-7552 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
  • Reducing breakdowns
  • Lengthening your air conditioner’s lifetime

A dirty air filter can reduce airflow, make the coil very cold and freeze it. As the coil melts, it can overwhelm the drain pan. We recommend checking 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 might be rusty or have a broken condensate pump. Replacing your pan or pump requires a pro, so call us at 314-325-7552 for assistance.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner uses coolant to transfer heat. If your air conditioner was installed 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 case your system has one. They include:

  • Air that feels hotter or more humid than usual
  • Bubbling or hissing noises by the air conditioner
  • Sweet smell near the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll want an HVAC pro like B & B Heating & Cooling to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In many instances, it might just be better to request 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, only limited recycled quantities are available.

Trust B & B Heating & Cooling for Repairing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Florissant, turn to the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and affordable services since 1985. Contact us at 314-325-7552 to schedule your appointment now!