8 Most Common Reasons that your AC is Leaking
Discover the 8 most common reasons for a leaking indoor AC unit and how to fix them. Don’t panic – most leaks can be fixed by an HVAC technician. Learn more here.
8 Most Common Reasons For A Leaking Indoor AC Unit
What are the 8 most common reasons for a leaking indoor AC unit, and how can you fix them?…and how can you fix them.
You can find out about the most frequent causes of air conditioner leaks and how to fix them instantly here.
It's very disconcerting to see water dripping down your air conditioning unit. You definitely don't want a big puddle inside, let alone the expensive repairs that would result from it! Even though your AC removes moisture from the air, this scenario isn't normal. Instead, water leaking from an AC may be a sign of a serious problem.
Immediately turn off your air conditioner if you notice water leaking, and contact HVAC support right away. Water accumulation can cause your AC to break down if you continue to use it. You don't need to panic if your AC unit is leaking water; however, you should address the issue immediately. A simple leak can be fixed by an HVAC technician and may not require extensive repairs.
Here, you'll learn about the most frequent reasons why an air conditioner drips, as well as how to immediately address them.
Why does an air conditioner collect water?
Your HVAC system controls both the temperature and the humidity level in your home. The evaporator coils in the indoor AC unit absorb the moisture from the humid air in your home. The cold evaporator coils condense the moisture from the air as it enters the system, making it less humid.
A drain pan collects the moisture drips, which leads to a condensate drain line. This line leads outside of your home and drains the water down. It is a concern when your air conditioner cannot remove excess moisture, leading to water leaking into your home.
Is It Possible to Use Your AC When Water Is Leaking?
Even if your air conditioning unit is leaking water, it will continue to function. However, your room may not be as cool as usual. Since you don't know why your air conditioner is leaking, it's always a good idea to turn it off as soon as you see water dripping from it.
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The AC may not be able to properly remove moisture if clogged drain lines, dirty air filters, or other issues are present. Here are some common AC issues that may cause the AC to leak water:
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- A clogged condensate drain line is one of the most frequent reasons for an AC to leak water. During the dehumidification process, your unit collects moisture along with dirt and debris.
Eventually, if the drain line is not cleaned, water will accumulate and block it, causing water to spill out of the drain pan right inside your house.
Current air conditioners have a cutoff switch that shuts down the system if a clogged condensation line is detected. This is a terrific approach to safeguard your home from water damage. If your machine doesn't have this feature, you'll need to take action yourself.
A malfunctioning condensate pump or float switch is causing the system to flood.
A malfunctioning condensate pump or float switch is causing the system to flood.
When a central HVAC unit is located in a basement or faraway attic, it is not always very simple for water to flow out of the drain line. The condensate pump, therefore, is critical in removing water from the system.
When the water level in the condensate pump reservoir rises, the float switch on the pump is turned on. The condensate pump then drains water outside of your home.
Your air conditioner won’t expel water if the condensate pump is broken or the float switch has failed. If this happens, the water will accumulate and burst out of the unit. You must contact a repairman to have the condensate pump repaired or replaced, depending on the damage.
Your lens can get foggy because of condensation buildup.
In addition to its dehumidifying function, your air conditioner naturally produces condensation. Excessive condensation accumulation, on the other hand, may result in AC leakage from air vents or air ducts. Water may drip onto your insulation, resulting in damage. Further, it may also lead to mold development in air ducts and poor indoor air quality.
A damaged or rusted drain pan can cause problems with drain line backups.
The drain pan is located beneath the evaporator coils of the air conditioner or in the air handler to catch condensation as it drips. From here, the water flows into the drain line and outdoors. If the drain pan is damaged or rusted, the water will start to leak rather than flow into the drain line.
An air conditioning unit that is 15-20+ years old will show signs of aging, and one common manifestation is a rusty drain. A corroded drain pan can cause your AC to leak water over time.
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Frozen evaporator coils are one of the major causes of compressor failure.
When the refrigerant leaks or the airflow is blocked in the evaporator coils of your indoor unit, they may freeze up. This may cause moisture to accumulate and overflow the drain pan, resulting in water leakage.
There are two solutions to the problem.
Finding and addressing the cause of your air conditioner's iciness is crucial.
You must call a heating and cooling technician because you cannot repair this issue on your own. He must locate the leak, repair it, and refill the refrigerant.
Air filters that are clogged with debris can cause a variety of problems with your vehicle's engine.
The problem of water leaking from an AC can be caused by dirty air filters, as mentioned previously.
Filters ensure proper air circulation, trapping air pollutants while allowing clean air into your home. These particles, combined with dust, can build up inside the filters and eventually clog them completely. This clogging negatively affects your indoor air quality and can even harm your unit. Weak HVAC airflow is also caused.
The issue is that when air filters are clogged, warm air doesn’t move through easily. As a result, the evaporator coils freeze after some time, because the refrigerant is unable to absorb heat. Be prepared for a leaky puddle when the pipes thaw.
An incorrect AC installation is the most common cause for an AC that is prone to leaks.
A new AC was recently installed and is already leaking water, is often the installation being done improperly and which is why probably why it is leaking water.
Your AC and drain pipes might not be correctly installed, resulting in a water flow disturbance from the drain pan to the unit. As a consequence, your unit leaks water. It is also possible for a window air conditioner to leak water inside the house if it is installed completely flat. If it's not level, the condensation will spill water inside the house, creating a lot of mess.
With proper maintenance, most air conditioner leaking water issues may be prevented. During indoor and outdoor unit tuning, the technician looks for potential problems with major components. An annual tune-up also allows your air conditioner to operate at its maximum capacity, ensuring that your home stays comfortable all year long!
An AC that leaks water may be the result of a poorly connected drain line. An improperly installed, repaired, or loosened drain line may cause the line to disconnect. It's essential to pay for the best HVAC contractors possible, as the new equipment is going to only be as valuable as the company that installs it.
Water can pool on the floor or leak through the ceiling if the drain line is disconnected. The leakage source can vary depending on the location of your AC unit.
An answer:
Make sure to call a professional for repair and installation in the future to reconnect the drain line. HVAC support can reconnect the drain line.
For some protection from water damage, consider buying a wet switch or a water sensor of some sort that will attach to the condensate pan or piping, and can shut the equipment off if there's water that is sensed. This is a very common problem, and a small upgrade can save you a very large issue.
Jackson Systems & Supply has a ton of HVAC parts that can easily be installed by anyone if you're a do-it-yourself-er type of person. Check them out at this link here.
