Leakage of water by an air conditioner may be a nuisance which when not fixed early may cause water damage, moulds and other inconveniences. Although some water near the unit is normal, a lot of water leaking is normally an indicator of an underlying issue. Some of the most common causes of your air conditioner to leak water and what you can do about it will be discussed in this article.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
What is the Condensate Drain Line?
The air conditioning system has a very crucial component; the condensate drain line. It also has the duty of diverting the surplus moisture in the air into a drainage system, usually outside the house. When this drain line is clogged water may stagnate in the unit leading to leaks.
Why Does It Get Clogged?
With time, the condensate drain line may be blocked by dirt, algae or mold. When it gets clogged, the water cannot come out of the system creating a build-up and leakage inside the unit.
Solution
The solution to this would be to switch off the air conditioner and find the condensate drain line. An attempt to clear the blockage with a wet/dry vacuum or pouring a vinegar and water mixture into the line can be attempted. When the blockage remains, then it is advisable to enlist the services of a professional technician.
Contaminated or Frozen Evaporator Coils
What Are Evaporator Coils?
Evaporator coils extract heat from the air in your house to cool it down. The air moisture condenses on these coils and is usually emptied out of the system. In case the coils get dirty or frozen, they will not work well resulting in the accumulation of too much moisture.
Why Do Coils Freeze?
The airflow problem, e.g. the clogged filter or bad ventilation, frequently leads to frozen coils. The temperature in the area of the coils may become lower when the airflow is limited, which can lead to the freezing of the coils. Upon melting of the ice, it may result in a huge quantity of water that may overflow and cause leaks.
Solution
The air filter should be cleaned or replaced regularly to avoid frozen coils, there should be an adequate airflow around the unit and there should be no obstructions in the system. In case the coils are frozen, shut the unit and leave it to thaw. In case the issue continues, seek the services of an HVAC technician.
Low Refrigerant Levels
What is Refrigerant?
Refrigerant is a chemical which takes the heat and cools the air. When there is a low amount of refrigerant, the air conditioner will not cool the air efficiently. This may create such problems as frozen evaporator coils, which, as aforementioned, may result in water leakage.
What Causes Low Refrigerant to Occur?
A leak in refrigerant lines normally results in low refrigerant levels. Refrigerant being a closed system, leakage will result in the reduction of refrigerant which will result in poor cooling effect and leakage of water.
Solution
When you suspect that your refrigerant is low, then you should get a professional HVAC technician to check on the system. They are able to detect any leaks and seal them and refill the refrigerant to the right levels.
Faulty Pump or Pump Failure
What is the Pump?
The air conditioning system in some systems, particularly the older systems, depends on a pump to move the condensate water through the drain line. In case the pump drops, the water may stagnate in the system and lead to leakages.
Why Does the Pump Fail?
Pumps may break down because of old age, wear and tear or electrical issues. In a situation where the pump is not functioning effectively, it would not be able to pump the water out of the unit leading to leakage.
Solution
In case you suspect the pump is failing, look at the pump and see whether it has been damaged or not. In case the pump is defective, it will be required to be changed. An HVAC expert is the best person to deal with this.
Improper Installation or Incorrect Leveling
How Does Installation Affect Water Drainage?
The air conditioners should be correctly leveled in order to drain the water. When the unit is installed improperly or when it is tilted due to passage of time, the water might not pass into the condensate drain line and as such, it will leak.
How Does the Leveling of the Wrong Level Occur?
The improper leveling can be caused by the improper installation or changes in the building structure during the course of time. This is more prevalent among window air conditioners.
Solution
Test the air conditioner level to make sure that it is tilted a little towards the outside to drain. Unless it is flat, you might have to make some adjustments to the installation or invite a professional to fix it.
Broken or Damaged Drain Pan
What is the Drain Pan?
The drain pan is a shallow tray which collects the dripping water of the evaporator coils. It guides the water to the drain line of condensate. In case the pan is broken, rusted or damaged, it may leak water.
Why Does the Drain Pan Leak?
In the long run, the drain pan may become worn out through rusting or corrosion or physical impact. This may make it lose its water catching capacity resulting in leaks.
Solution
To repair a broken drain pan, replacement would be necessary. Switch off the air conditioner and check the pan whether it has cracks or rusts and replace it when necessary. You may need the assistance of a professional HVAC technician in case you are not sure how to do that.
High Humidity Levels
What is the impact of Humidity on the AC?
Air conditioners have been developed to cool the air by eliminating moisture in the air. But in case the humidity in your house is very high, the system can generate more condensation than it could manage, and thus it might leak.
Why will High Humidity lead to Leaks?
The AC is strained more to dehumidify when the humidity is high. When the system is not able to remove the excess moisture in the right way, it may accumulate and lead to leakages.
Solution
In order to control the high humidity, use a dehumidifier in addition to your air conditioner to decrease the level of moisture in your house. It will also be helpful to make sure that your air conditioner is serviced well and avoid any obstruction of airflow.