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 refrigerant.

Water leaking from your air conditioner isn’t dangerous but can cause a lot of damage to your home. On the other hand, a coolant leak is dangerous for you and the environment. In either case, fixing 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 check your system for problems 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 stop 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 has an evaporator coil that cools warm air as it moves over it. Condensation occurs as the air cools, drips 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 often receive 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 result in water backing up inside your home. Our Hale's Air Conditioning Services Inc professionals can eliminate clogs and get water draining again smoothly. Give us a call at 727-369-6195 for help.

Air Filter Is Dirty


Replacing your air filter is crucial for:

  • Indoor air quality
  • Energy efficiency
  • Reducing breakdowns
  • Lengthening your air conditioner’s lifetime

A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, make the coil extremely cold and freeze it. 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 fix the problem, your drain pan may be rusty or have a malfunctioning condensate pump. Getting a new pan or pump requires a professional, so call us at 727-369-6195 for assistance.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Freon?

Your air conditioner relies on coolant to move heat. If your air conditioner was installed before 2011, it likely uses R-22 Freon. Over time, chemicals in Freon can eat away at metal and cause leaks.


  • Air that seems warmer or more humid than usual
  • Bubbling or hissing noises near the air conditioner
  • Sweet odor by the air conditioner
  • Frozen evaporator coil

Freon is bad for your health if handled improperly, so you’ll want an HVAC professional like Hale's Air Conditioning Services Inc to repair an air conditioner coolant leak. In many situations, it might just be better to request air conditioning installation since Freon is expensive. 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 Hale's Air Conditioning Services Inc for Repairing Your Air Conditioner Leaks

When it comes to air conditioning repair in Saint Petersburg, go with the company your neighbors and friends trust. We’ve been known for our fast, friendly and reasonable services since 1986. Contact us at 727-369-6195 to schedule your appointment now!