Is a Leaking Air Conditioner Dangerous?

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 home. In contrast, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either case, fixing a leak will require skilled air conditioning repair.

In most instances, you can prevent your air conditioner from leaking by scheduling annual air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC tech will closely inspect your system for problems and clean it. This service helps provide worry-free performance 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 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 moves 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 back up 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 Plugged

Over time, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can lead to water backing up inside your home. Our Abilene Air-Tech Inc pros can break up clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at (325) 692-5850 for help.

Air Filter Is Dirty

We recommend changing flat filters once a month and pleated filters every three months.

Replacing your air filter is critical 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 cause it to freeze. As the coil melts, it can overwhelm the drain pan. We suggest inspecting your air filter if you haven’t changed 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. Getting a new pan or pump requires a professional, so contact us at (325) 692-5850 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 likely uses R-22 Freon. Over time, chemicals in Freon can eat through metal and cause leaks.

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

Air that seems hotter or more humid than usual
Bubbling or hissing sounds 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 Abilene Air-Tech Inc 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 harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only limited recycled quantities are available.

Trust Abilene Air-Tech Inc for Repairing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Abilene, turn to the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and affordable services since 1986. Call us at (325) 692-5850 to schedule your appointment now!