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 dangerous for you and the environment. In either case, repairing a leak will require professional air conditioning repair.

In most cases, you can prevent your air conditioner from leaking by requesting annual 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 may even boost energy efficiency.

Find out why your air conditioner is leaking and how you can stop it from happening in the future.

Why Does My AC Unit Leak Water?

Water is a natural result of the cooling process. Your air conditioner has two systems, one outside and one inside. The indoor unit has 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 home through a condensate drain line.

Because of the condensation process, having water back up 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

Over time, mold can block the condensate drain line. This can result in water backing up inside your house. Our Contra Costa Heating & AC pros can eliminate clogs and get water flowing again smoothly. Reach us at 510-343-9841 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
  • Reducing breakdowns
  • Lengthening your air conditioner’s life span

A dirty air filter can reduce airflow, make the coil very cold and freeze it. 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. Replacing your pan or pump requires a professional, so call us at 510-343-9841 for assistance.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner uses coolant to transfer 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 create 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 odor by the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is hazardous to your health if handled improperly, so you’ll want an HVAC pro like Contra Costa Heating & AC to fix an air conditioner coolant leak. In many situations, it may just be better to schedule air conditioning installation since Freon is costly. Production of this coolant was stopped in 2020 due to its damaging effects on the ozone layer. As a result, just limited recycled quantities are available.

Rely on Contra Costa Heating & AC to Fix Your Leaky Air Conditioner

When it comes to air conditioning repair in The Bay Area, turn to the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our quick, friendly and affordable services since year. Call us at 510-343-9841 to request your appointment now!