During the hot and humid summer months your air conditioner is running all summer long to keep up with these temperatures. If your air conditioning unit is leaking water, you might be questioning why it’s occurring and what you can do to fix it. Continue reading to discover a few reasons why it’s happening and steps you can take to ensure the issue gets corrected.
Why and How Water Forms in Your Air Conditioner
Most of the modern HVAC units contain both an indoor and outdoor unit. An evaporator coil is part of the inside unit and its job is to cool the warm air as it blows over the system to create a comfortable indoor temperature.
As hot air goes over the coil, condensation starts to form. For example, imagine water droplets forming on a cold beverage. That is exactly what’s happening to your evaporator coil. As the moisture increases, it drops into a drain pan that connects to a condensate drain line. This drain line leads out of your home, so ideally you should not have any problems with your air conditioner leaking inside. However, there are certain issues with your system that may cause it to leak water inside. Let’s go over these reasons so you don’t panic if it happens and so you will know exactly what to do if it does occur.
Dirty Air Filter
It is so important for the longevity of your HVAC system to regularly change your air filter. Ideally, it should be changed every 30-60 days unless you have a high efficiency filter. Those filters typically last longer than a standard filter. A dirty air filter makes your system work much harder resulting in a worn down and damaged unit. In fact, a clogged filter is one of the main sources of a system failure.
The buildup of contaminants and particles on your filter creates an almost impenetrable barrier that doesn’t allow air to properly flow through it. This creates issues such as: poor temperature regulation, higher energy bills, furnace failures, and health concerns. Learn more about the consequences of dirty air filters here.
In addition to causing strain on your HVAC system, a clogged filter can obstruct the flow of air that moves on top of the evaporator coil. When the air is blocked, the coil becomes very cold and can begin to freeze. As a frozen coil melts, the extra water causes your pan to overflow. Be sure to keep a close eye on your air filter and change it every 30 to 30 days so this does not occur. If a filter looks to be very dirty and clogged, it could be the reason why your A/C unit is leaking water inside your home.
Clogged Drain Line
If your A/C is leaking in your home, it is most likely due to a clogged drain line. After a while it can get blocked with dust and debris. When this occurs, water can’t properly exit and drain to the outside of your home resulting in the water leaking inside.
To unclog the drain use a vacuum to remove the debris. This should remove the blockage and allow water to escape when needed. If you aren’t able to remove the debris with a vacuum, you may want to contact local professionals to complete this job for you.
Low on Refrigerant
As the unit gets lower on refrigerant, the pressure inside the air conditioner also lowers. This will result in your evaporator coil freezing, causing a mess.
A sign that you are low on refrigerant is if your A/C isn’t cooling down your home like it should. Some other signs could be if you hear unusual bubbling or hissing sounds. Those signs indicate that there might be a leak. If you’re able to catch the leak early enough, you might be able to repair the damage. However, if you were too late to catch the leak you unfortunately might have to pay for a brand new unit.
One way to combat this issue is to have your HVAC system regularly inspected. Ideally once a year before summer is the best time to get your unit checked to prevent leaks and other issues so they don’t turn into much bigger issues.
Old Broken Systems
If you have an older air conditioning unit, you just might have a damaged or rusted drain pan. You can try replacing the drain pan to see if this resolves the issue.
The condensate pump may be broken if you have water leaking in your home. It’s important to get this fixed as soon as possible so you don’t create a bigger mess or have any further water damage. If you aren’t completely sure on what you’re repairing or if you’re doing it correctly, it’s best to call the experts and let them take care of the problem for you. A leaking air conditioner can go from a small drip to a potential flooding issue in a matter of days or weeks. Make sure to get the unit inspected if you can’t pinpoint the source of the problem.
Say Goodbye to a Leaking AC System
If you know what to look for when your A/C unit is leaking water, you might be able to fix the issue yourself. If you aren’t sure why the leaks are occurring, contact the professionals at CW Suter Services for expert air conditioner repair.
With the correct diagnosis, it’s much easier to repair the A/C water leaks before they get out of hand. In most cases if it’s caught early enough you will be able to repair the problem and continue enjoying a cool home all season.
We provide heating and air conditioning maintenance, repair and replacement services to all of Siouxland and surrounding areas. To see if you are in our service area check here. For more information on our services and how we can serve you, visit our website or give us a call at 712-252-3007.