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. On the other hand, a coolant leak is harmful to you and the environment. In either situation, repairing a leak will require professional air conditioning repair.

In most instances, you can prevent your air conditioner from leaking by scheduling yearly air conditioning maintenance. During your appointment, an HVAC technician will closely examine your system for problems and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free performance and may 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 byproduct of the cooling process. Your air conditioner has two systems, 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, drips into a drain pan and goes out of your house through a condensate drain line.

Due to 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 Clogged

As time passes, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can result in water backing up inside your house. Our Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning pros can break up clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at 204-272-8128 for help.

Air Filter Needs to Be Changed

We recommend changing 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
  • Extending your air conditioner’s lifetime

A dirty air filter can reduce airflow, make the coil extremely cold and cause it to freeze. As the coil melts, it can make the drain pan overflow. We recommend 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 may be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a pro, so call us at 204-272-8128 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 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 near the air conditioner
  • Sweet smell near the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is bad for your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC pro like Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In most instances, it may just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is costly. Manufacturing of this coolant was stopped in 2020 due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only limited recycled quantities are available.

Rely on Kirkfield Heating & Air Conditioning for Repairing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Winnipeg, turn to the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and reasonable services since 1951. Call us at 204-272-8128 to schedule your appointment now!