Have you noticed your air conditioner leaking water? You might need some help.
When your AC unit starts leaking, there could be numerous causes. You’ll want to get to the bottom of it as soon as possible because not only is water damage costly and annoying to deal with, but the longer you leave your AC unit leaking, the worse the repairs could get.
In this post, we’re going to tell you 5 potential reasons why your air conditioner is leaking water. If you can detect these problems early, then there’s less of a chance you’ll need major repairs on your unit, or worse, replacement.
1. Frozen Evaporator Coil
Your evaporator coil is responsible for cooling down the refrigerant as it passes through the coil. Over time, it can accumulate dust and debris, which prevents it from doing its job of managing the heat exchange between the air indoors and the refrigerant. If it gets cold enough, the whole coil can end up encased in ice.
When you see a puddle around your AC unit, one of the first things you should check is for a frozen evaporator coil dripping water. This isn’t an overly serious matter and shouldn’t permanently damage your unit, but should be rectified immediately. Turn off the unit and place a towel beneath to catch the water, then contact a company like antonshvac.com for repair.
2. Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter can lead to a frozen evaporator coil because when dirty, the airflow to the evaporator coil is blocked. If you’ve got a frozen coil, then after you’ve thawed it, check your air filter to see if it’s dirty.
These should be changed every 1-3 months, but you should check them on a regular basis to ensure that you don’t need to change them sooner. You can easily perform this task yourself and doing so regularly will save you some headaches.
3. Clogged Drain Line
Your AC unit is responsible for regulating the humidity in your home. When it’s too humid inside, it’s more difficult for your air conditioner to do its job properly, so removing humidity is a big part of the process.
These can also fill with dirt and dust over time, which can eventually clog the drain line. When this happens, the accumulated water inside can overflow your drain pan and cause leaking. If you clean the drain line on a regular basis, this probably won’t happen.
4. Rusty Drain Pan
The drain pan collects the moisture that is pulled from your indoor air, then sends it through the drain line to the outside of your home. It also prevents moisture from flowing into the other parts of your AC unit, but being shallow, the pan is liable to overflow if it’s older and has accumulated some rust.
If it’s rusty and develops holes, then water will almost certainly flow through your AC unit and into your home, causing water damage and mold. To prevent this, you should inspect your drain pan regularly and replace it at the first sign of damage.
What to Do When Your Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water
When your air conditioner is leaking water, you need to figure out which of these problems has occurred and fix it as soon as possible. Some things, like replacing an air filter, you can do on your own. For other things, like dealing with clogged pipes and damaged coils, you’ll need professional help. Don’t leave your unit leaking water for too long, as mold can accumulate and repairs can get more costly.
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