Air conditioners leaking water is relatively uncommon, but that doesn't mean it can't happen. So, if you spot a pool of water under your AC unit, don't panic. You just need to turn it off and find out what's causing the leak. In most cases, the leaks are mainly caused by either of the following reasons.
DIY Installation
DIY installations don't always produce good results. That's why the experts are always against it. So, if you installed the AC unit by yourself, there is a chance that you did it wrong, and that's why you have some leaks. You'll have to call an air conditioner technician to redo the installation or correct your mistakes.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
Another possible reason for your AC system leaking is a clogged condensate drain line. Remember that the water collected in the unit contains debris and dirt. As such, these particles can quickly accumulate in the drain line and cause a clog. Once these clogs get out of hand, the water will have nowhere to go. Eventually, it will spill out of the drain pan.
Frozen Evaporator Coils
If the evaporator coils in your indoor unit freeze, you might have to deal with leaks. Evaporator coils mostly freeze due to blocked airflow or refrigerant leaks. And once they freeze, they will cause moisture to build up in the drain pan. Once the water fills the drain pan, it will overflow and pool under your unit.
So, if you notice that your AC unit has frozen evaporator coils, you should first check for an airflow blockage. Try changing the air filters and cleaning the ducts, fin coils, and return vents to solve the problem. If that fails to work, call a technician to conduct air conditioning repairs.
Dirty Air Filters
There is a reason why experts advise homeowners to change their air filters often. Allowing your air conditioner to operate with dirty filters will definitely cause problems. For instance, dirty air filters can restrict air flow, causing the evaporator coils to freeze. And once the freezing happens, water leaks will be inevitable. So, ensure that your AC unit has clean air filters to prevent freezing and water damage.
Low Refrigerant Level
Another possible reason for your air conditioner leaking water is low refrigerant levels. You can tell that your AC unit is running low on refrigerant if it is producing a hissing or bubbling sound. Also, your home might feel warmer even after running your unit for hours. You'll need to invite a professional to refill the refrigerant and check for leaks.
For more info about AC repair, contact a local company.
Share17 November 2022
Every summer, I agonized over energy bills that would shoot into the stratosphere as a result of my efforts to keep cool in the heat. Every time I turned the temperature down, my bills increased. This summer, I decided to take some of the control over my energy bill back. I installed reflective film on my windows that reduced the amount of light and heat coming into the house. I started serving more cold meals or asking my husband to barbecue outside, so that my air conditioner didn't have to compete with the hot stove, and I started doing laundry at night to reduce appliance heat in the house at peak times. I also had ceiling fans installed. So far, the difference in my bill has been tremendous. This blog is a way for me to explore other ways to reduce energy drain during the summer months.