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 annoying but isn’t necessarily harmful. 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 home. 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 yearly air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC tech will closely inspect your system for issues and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free cooling and might even boost 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 includes an evaporator coil that cools warm air as it blows over it. Condensation occurs as the air cools, flows into a drain pan and drains out of your house through a condensate drain line.

Due to the condensation process, having water back up 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 happens:

Drain Line Is Clogged

As time passes, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can lead to water leaking inside your house. Our Airmax Long Island Inc pros can break up clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Give us a call at 631-737-5566 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
  • Decreasing breakdowns
  • Lengthening 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 make the drain pan overflow. 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 malfunctioning condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a pro, so call us at 631-737-5566 for help.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner needs coolant to transfer heat. If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it probably uses R-22 Freon. Over time, chemicals in Freon can eat away at metal and cause 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 noises near the air conditioner
  • Sweet odor by the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC professional like Airmax Long Island Inc to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In many instances, it might just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is costly. Production of this coolant was stopped in 2020 due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only reduced recycled quantities are available.

Trust Airmax Long Island Inc for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Long Island, go with the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and reasonable services since 2004. Call us at 631-737-5566 to request your appointment today!