When your air conditioner is working 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 dangerous but can cause a lot of damage to your house. On the other hand, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either case, repairing 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 examine your system for problems and clean it. This service helps ensure worry-free cooling and may even improve 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 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, flows into a drain pan and drains out of your house 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 happens:

Drain Line Is Clogged

As time passes, mold can clog the condensate drain line. This can lead to water leaking inside your house. Our 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning professionals can break up clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Reach us at 949-204-0859 for assistance.

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 life span

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, make the coil extremely cold and cause it to freeze. As the coil defrosts, it can make the drain pan overflow. We suggest inspecting your air filter if you haven’t replaced it lately and your air conditioner is leaking water indoors.

If this doesn’t fix the problem, your drain pan may be rusty or have a broken condensate pump. Replacing your pan or pump requires a professional, so contact us at 949-204-0859 for help.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner needs coolant to move heat. If your air conditioner was put in before 2011, it likely has R-22 Freon. Over time, chemicals in Freon can eat away at 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 feels warmer or more humid than normal
  • Bubbling or hissing noises by the air conditioner
  • Sweet smell by the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is bad for your health if handled improperly, so you’ll need an HVAC professional like 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In many situations, it may just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. Manufacturing of this coolant was halted in 2020 due to its harmful effects on the ozone layer. As a result, only limited recycled quantities are available.

Rely on 1st Choice Heating & Air Conditioning for Fixing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Lake Forest, go with the company your neighbors and friends depend on. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and affordable services since {year}. Contact us at 949-204-0859 to schedule your appointment now!