Is A Leak In My Air Conditioning 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 harmful. It depends on whether it’s leaking water or refrigerant.

Water leaking from your air conditioner isn’t bad but can cause a lot of damage to your house. In contrast, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either situation, repairing 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 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 Does My AC Unit Leak Water?

Water is a natural byproduct of air conditioning. 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 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 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 happens:

Drain Line Is Plugged

As time passes, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can lead to water backing up inside your home. Our Tokay Heating & Air pros can eliminate clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at (209) 257-3156 for help.

Air Filter Is Dirty

We recommend replace flat filters monthly and pleated filters every three months.

Replacing your air filter is critical for:

  • Indoor air quality
  • Energy efficiency
  • Reducing breakdowns
  • Extending your air conditioner’s life span

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, make the coil very cold and freeze it. As the coil defrosts, it can overwhelm the drain pan. 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 fix the problem, your drain pan might be rusty or have a broken condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a pro, so call us at (209) 257-3156 for assistance.

Why Won’t My Air Conditioning Stop 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 through metal and create 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 normal
  • Bubbling or hissing noises near the air conditioner
  • Sweet smell near the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC pro like Tokay Heating & Air to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In many situations, it might just be better to schedule 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 Tokay Heating & Air For Fixing Your Leaky Air Conditioner

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Lodi, turn to the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and reasonable services since year. Call us at (209) 257-3156 to schedule your appointment now!