Is your air conditioner leaking water? Are you noticing puddles of water under your air conditioning unit? Water leakage from your AC is never a good sign and should be attended to immediately to prevent damage to your system and your home. This guide will discuss the causes of water overflowing from your air conditioning unit and what you can do to correct these issues.
Leaking AC units can be caused by several variables including a clogged condensate drain line, dirty air filter, damaged drain pan, or low refrigerant level. They are as follows:
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Clogged Condensate Drain Line
The most common cause of your AC leaking water happens if the unit has a clogged condensate drain line. Over time, the condensate drain line gets clogged with dirt and debris that passes through the system. The unwanted particles mix with moisture accumulated in the unit and stick to the sides of the drain line. This process causes the condensate drain line to gunk up which prevents the condensation from draining properly. If you discover that your AC condensation drain line is clogged, it will need to be cleared before running your air conditioner again. -
Dirty Air Filter
Another common reason why your air conditioner may be dripping water is because of the air filter. Your air conditioner’s filter needs to be changed regularly for a variety of reasons, including maintaining proper indoor air quality and avoiding overworking your unit. Additionally, a dirty filter can cause a lack of adequate ventilation which blocks proper airflow to your unit’s evaporator coils, causing them to freeze. Evaporator coils will then thaw causing puddles of water to form below the unit. Make sure to clean or change your filters every 1-3 months to prevent coils from freezing. -
Damaged Drain Pan
Your AC unit has a drain pan that collects water and filters it to a drain. Because these pans are exposed to moisture, they tend to rust and degrade over time. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak may appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Minor cracks or leaks in your drain pan can be fixed with a sealant, but larger leaks and rusting will require replacement. Trained HVAC technicians can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working like it’s supposed to. -
Low Refrigerant Level
Having low refrigerant in your ac unit may lower the pressure in your system, causing refrigerant leaks. Without enough refrigerant, the evaporator coils may freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw out. If you suspect the refrigerant in your home’s cooling system is low, an HVAC technician can measure your levels and add more refrigerant if needed.
Fixing Water Leaking from HVAC
If you are experiencing overflowing water from your air conditioning unit, it is crucial to contact a trained HVAC technician to help pinpoint and fix your issue. Leaking water coming from your AC unit can lead to a multitude of additional problems including water damage, mold growth, and complete system shutdown. As the warm weather approaches it is important to make sure that your air conditioner is running properly. Contact Certified Heating and Air Conditioning today with all of your AC related issues!
Works Cited:
- https://www.callclimatecontrol.com/blog/why-is-my-home-air-conditioner-leaking-water-inside-8-potential-causes
- https://fischerheating.com/air-conditioner-leaking-water-fix/
- https://www.conditionedairinc.com/blog/ac-leaking-water
- https://cityheatandair.com/how-to-stop-water-leaking-from-hvac/#:~:text=One%20of%20the%20most%20common,running%20your%20air%20conditioning%20again
