Why Air Conditioners Leak Water; Here’s one question a lot of people ask especially during the summer: Why is my air conditioner leaking water? Air conditioners are not designed to leak water into the home: the water that is condensed from the evaporator coil in the air conditioning unit is usually drained outside. So what happens when water’s leaking into the house?
Five Reasons Why Air Conditioners Leak Water
1. Your Condensate Drain Line is Blocked
A condensate drain line is the pipe that drains out the moisture that gathers on the evaporator coil. These droplets of condensed water fall into the drain pan, which is connected to the condensate drain line, which leads the water outdoors. However, if there is any sort of blockage in the condensate drain line, water from the drain pan will not enter the condensate drain pipe and will instead drip out of the pan onto the floor where the air conditioning unit is installed.
This can cause water damage to your property, especially if you have wooden flooring! The main reason for blockage of the condensate drain line is mold, dirt or sludge, which builds up thick and hard deposits that cannot be removed with ease. In most cases, an air conditioner technician can be called. Technicians specializing in these issues can get it sorted by using special vacuum machines to break down and pull the blockage out.
2. Is your Air Filter Dirty?
Having a dirty air filter is bad for your air conditioning unit not only because it causes your air conditioner to have lower power efficiency but also because it leads to entry of dust allergens into the house. With a dirty air filter, air that usually passes over the evaporator coil thus keeping it at set temperatures is blocked.
When this happens, the evaporator coils tends to freeze up. When you switch off your air conditioner, the evaporator coil cools down. This leads to excess moisture forming on the coil and dripping into the drain pan, until it overflows. When it does this, it’s time to call in the experts and get your air filter changed! You can also opt to do it yourself. In fact, as a measure of precaution, it’s best to change your air filter every three-four months!
3. A Damaged Drain Pan
A damaged drain pan is one of the most obvious reasons as to why your air conditioner’s leaking water. Old air conditioning units have this issue, when the drain pan rusts through with age and constant exposure to moisture. Drain pans can also get damaged by other means such as termites, but if this is why your ac is leaking water, it’s also the simplest one to diagnose and sort out! All you need to do is replace the drain pan and our AC technicians are on standby to help you out!
4. Are you Low on Refrigerant?
The refrigerant in your air conditioner is the liquid that runs through the evaporator coil. It has a dual purpose: It cools the evaporator coil thus enabling cooling of the air that passes through, and it also dehumidifies the air that enters the house. When there is low refrigerant in the evaporator coil, the coil will freeze over since the refrigerant liquid is not enough to maintain constant temperatures.
When this happens, you run the risk of your air conditioner leaking water because excess moisture will build up on the evaporator coil thus leading to an overflow from the drain pan. A refrigerant leak is the most common culprit for low refrigerant and can only be fixed by calling in a specialist technician for air conditioners. When you hear your air conditioner making a bubbling noise, you know it’s your refrigerant leaking!
5. Is your Condensate Pump Broken?
If you’re living in a house where the outdoor air conditioning unit is actually in the basement, you run a risk of having a broken condensate pump. A condensate pump is normally attached to the outdoor unit and is used to pump the water from the air conditioner outside to the drainage field. However, if the pump breaks, it will lead to your air conditioner leaking water. To circumvent this from happening and causing water damage to your home, you need to change or repair your condensate pump.