Is a Leaking Air Conditioner Dangerous?

August 13, 2021

When your air conditioner is running properly, your home 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 coolant.

Water leaking from your air conditioner isn’t dangerous 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 requesting yearly 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 boost energy efficiency.

Find out why your air conditioner is leaking and how you can stop it from happening in the future.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Water?

Water is a natural byproduct 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 moves 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 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 clog the condensate drain line. This can result in water leaking inside your house. Our Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. pros can break up clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Give us a call at 918-682-8238 for help.

Air Filter Is Dirty

We recommend changing 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 lifetime

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, make the coil extremely cold and freeze it. As the coil melts, it can make the drain pan overflow. We suggest checking 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 broken condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a professional, so contact us at 918-682-8238 for assistance.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner relies on coolant to move heat. If your air conditioner was put in before 2011, it probably uses R-22 Freon. As time passes, chemicals in Freon can eat through 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 usual
  • Bubbling or hissing noises 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 professional like Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In many situations, it may just be better to schedule air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. Manufacturing of this coolant was stopped in 2020 due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just reduced recycled quantities are available.

Trust Hix Air Conditioning Service, Inc. for Repairing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Muskogee, turn to the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and affordable services since 1985. Call us at 918-682-8238 to schedule your appointment today!