What to Do If Your Air-Conditioner is Leaking Water
Most modern air conditioning systems are dual systems, meaning that they contain both an indoor and an outdoor unit. The internal system contains a part known as the evaporator coil. This coil cools the warm air as it blows over it so that the air coming through your vents is cool.
As the hot air blows over the coil, water droplets can form. Imagine water droplets forming on the outside of a cold can in the summertime. This is exactly the same thing that starts to happen to your coil.
As the moisture forms, if your system is functioning properly it will begin to drip into a drain pan that drains out of the house. If your unit is located in the basement, there may also be a pump to push the water out of the house. So ideally, you shouldn’t have issues with your AC leaking inside the home.
Unfortunately, there may be times when your air conditioner is leaking water inside the house. Let’s examine a few reasons why this could be happening and how to fix it.
Why is My Air Conditioner is Leaking Water: A Clogged Drain Line
Remember how we just talked about that drain pan and the line that is supposed to drain water out of your house? Over time, this line can become clogged with debris like dirt, dust, or mold.
When your drain line gets clogged, water can’t escape and the line quickly becomes backed up, causing the condensation to come back inside. This can overflow your drain pan and spill over into your home.
Why is My Air Conditioner is Leaking Water: Dirty Air Filter
You should be changing the air filter for your air conditioner every 30-90 days depending on the type of filter you purchase. A dirty air filter can make your system work harder, resulting in possible damage or worn-out parts. The dirty air filter could also drastically increase your electricity bill.
In addition to causing strain on your home’s HVAC system, a dirty filter can block the flow of air that moves over the unit’s evaporator coil. When the air is blocked, the coil becomes extremely cold and can start to freeze.
As the frozen coil melts, the excess water can cause your pan to overflow. With summer right around the corner, we recommend double-checking your filter just in case. If the filter looks to be extremely dirty or clogged, it could cause your AC to start leaking once the heat starts to kick in full force.
Why is My Air Conditioner is Leaking Water: AC is Low on Refrigerant
As the volume of refrigerant gets lower, the pressure inside of your AC system lowers, too. This can also cause your evaporator coil to freeze. As the evaporator coil unfreezes, it begins to drip water.
If you notice that your air conditioner isn’t cooling down your home like it should, check the refrigerant levels. Other signs include an unusual hissing or bubbling sound, which can indicate that you have a leak.
Have your HVAC system inspected regularly (through our Preventative Maintenance Program) to prevent these problems from occurring. Ideally, you should have a thorough inspection at the start of every summer to prevent leaks and other issues.
Whenever you’re in doubt, it’s always best to turn to the professionals for help. Leaking air conditioners that go ignored can go from an annoying drip to a potential flood in a matter of days or weeks. Give us a call today at (330) 484-4328 orshoot us a message and we’ll get a technician out to you as soon as possible.
