According to the most recent results from the 2020 Residential Energy Consumption Survey, 88% of American households use air conditioning (AC) to keep cool in the summer. Two-thirds of households use central AC or a central heat pump as their main AC equipment. They’re generally located in the southern section of the country, where the weather becomes most scorching.
Owning a house can be inconvenient. In addition to the regular expenses, renovations, and maintenance, you must also deal with the dread of repairs. As a homeowner, you’ll eventually suffer from an air conditioner that is leaking water. What starts as a little problem might wreak havoc on ceilings, walls, and floors while affecting the AC’s cooling efficiency. Worse, mold can grow in damp places and pollute the air you breathe. And before you know it, your AC won’t turn on or isn’t cooling properly. We’re here to make sure that doesn’t happen. Our expert HVAC technician at Frosty Desert Heating & Air Conditioning has repaired hundreds of leaky ACs, so we know what we’re talking about. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most common causes of AC leaks and what you can do to fix them.
WHY IS THE AIR CONDITIONER LEAKING WATER?
While your AC unit is a vital part of keeping your home comfortable during the hot summer months, it’s not uncommon for them to develop issues. One of the most common problems that homeowners face with their AC units is water leaks. There are a number of reasons why your AC unit might start leaking water. In certain situations, many (HVAC systems) air conditioners are leaking water both inside and outside of their components as a result of their continuous usage. Here are the most common reasons for water leaks in air conditioners:
1. CLOGGED DRAIN LINE CAUSES AIR CONDITIONER WATER TO LEAK
Condensate drain line clogs are a common issue that can cause your AC unit to leak water. The condensate drain line is responsible for carrying away excess moisture from your AC unit, and if it becomes clogged, water can back up and leak out. Clogs can be caused by a build-up of debris, such as dust, dirt, and mold. In some cases, the clog may be due to an issue with the float switch, which is responsible for sensing when the condensate pan is full and shutting off the AC unit. Condensate drain line clogs are typically easy to fix and can be prevented by regularly cleaning your AC unit. However, if you suspect that you have a clog, it’s important to call a professional for help so that the problem can be resolved before it causes serious damage.
2. YOUR AIR CONDITIONER HAS LITTLE OR NO REFRIGERANT
If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, the pressure inside it will be reduced, resulting in leaks. When this happens, you’ll notice it first by the temperature of the air being pushed out. It won’t be as cold as it was before.
Low refrigerant causes your evaporator coils to freeze up. Evaporator coils are used to transform the liquid in your AC unit into vapor. This is the vapor that is expelled from the device and cools the surrounding area. If there isn’t enough refrigerant, the coils won’t be able to operate. This causes the coils to freeze over time. At first, this won’t be an issue, but as it warms up again, what is frozen will melt and result in a leak in the air conditioning unit.
3. DRAIN PAN IS RUSTED OR DAMAGED
One of the most common causes of water leaks is a drain pan that is either rusted or damaged. A drain pan is located under the evaporator coils and collects water that drips from the coils. If the pan becomes corroded or cracked, it can begin to leak. In some cases, the drain pan may need to be replaced. However, in other cases, it may be possible to repair the damage and prevent further leaks.
A rusted drain pan is more difficult to repair. Because the rust ate through the metal, there’s not much else to work with. Drain pans with this sort of issue frequently have a large number of holes for water to fall through.
4. A LOT OF DIRT HAS ACCUMULATED ON THE AIR FILTER
Accumulated dirt on the air filter of your air conditioner is one of the primary causes of water leakage. The air conditioner has a fan that pulls in hot air from outside and blows it over a set of coils. These coils are filled with refrigerant, which helps to cool the air. The coils also help to remove moisture from the air. The moisture collects on the coils and drips into a pan below, where it is drained out of the unit. However, if the air filter is clogged with dirt, it can restrict airflow and cause the coils to freeze. As the ice melts, it can overflow the pan and cause water to leak. In order to prevent this from happening, be sure to clean your air conditioner’s filter on a regular basis.
It’s best not to let the evaporator coils freeze up in either case though. Freezing can harm the unit as well as other components. The majority of the time, it’s a minor problem. However, on rare occasions, it may be too severe and result in the purchase of a new air conditioner.
5. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF AIR CONDITIONER
Improper installation is one of the primary causes of water leakage from air conditioners. If the AC unit is not installed properly, it can cause a number of issues, including leaks. In some cases, the unit may not be level, which can cause water to pool in one area and leak out. Additionally, if the unit is not installed correctly, the drainage system may not work properly, which can also cause leaks. Be sure to hire a professional to install your air conditioner to avoid this problem.
HOW DO I REPAIR AN AIR CONDITIONER THAT IS LEAKING WATER FROM THE UNIT?
Is there water leaking from the air conditioner outside or inside the previous time you looked? Don’t be alarmed if it is! There are still a few options for fixing it yourself.
1. REGULARLY CHANGE YOUR AIR FILTERS
One of the best ways to prevent water leaks from your air conditioner is to regularly change your air filters. Clogged air filters can restrict airflow and cause the evaporator coils to freeze. As the ice melts, it can overflow the pan and cause water to leak. In order to prevent this from happening, be sure to clean your air conditioner’s filter on a regular basis.
2. CLEAN THE CONDENSATE DRAIN LINE
If your condensate drain line is clogged, it’s best to turn off the unit first. You can clean this out faster and easier by opening up the unit until you can see the drain line from the inside. Open up the PVC cap covering the drain line and look for how blocked it is from the interior. A lengthy wire brush is the best way to remove the debris so that water can flow through again.
3. ENSURE THAT YOUR DRAIN PAN IS THE CORRECT SIZE FOR YOUR UNIT
As previously said, replacing rusted or fractured drain pans is the best remedy. Some individuals, on the other hand, believe that any sort of container will work for their air conditioner. This leads to a large number of air conditioning units having ill-fitting drain pans. You’re correct if you don’t think it sounds very appealing. To function properly, air conditioners need the perfect drain pan size.
4. FILL YOUR DRAIN LINE WITH BLEACH EVERY SIX MONTHS
This is the first step in your air conditioning unit’s maintenance. Pouring bleach into your drain line will help you keep it clean for a long period of time. This destroys any germs that may develop in the pipes and cause algae or mold growth.
5. AVOID OVERUSING YOUR AIR CONDITIONER WHEN IT’S HOT OUTSIDE
Yes, it’s tempting to turn the temperature as low as possible when it’s hot outside. However, you should be aware that doing so can harm your air conditioner in the long run. To lessen some of the strain on your AC unit, set it at the best temperature. It is also better for the environment.
Follow these tips, and you should have no problem keeping your air conditioner in good shape! If you do run into any trouble, be sure to reach out to a professional HVAC contractor for help.
HIRING A PROFESSIONAL TO REPAIR AN AIR CONDITIONER LEAK
If water is leaking from your AC unit, it is important to find and fix the source of the leak as soon as possible. Leaving the problem unchecked can lead to further damage and increased repair costs. If you are not confident in your ability to fix the problem yourself, it is always best to hire a qualified AC technician who cares for their customer to do the ac repair. Hiring a professional will ensure that the job is done properly and that your AC unit is back up and running quickly. Frosty Desert Heating & Air Conditioning is a leading provider of AC repair services in Las Vegas. Our team of experienced and certified technicians is available 24/7 to help you with all your AC needs. Contact us today to schedule a service call!
