Air conditioning is a big business. According to reports, the demand for AC is at an all-time high reaching 111 million units in 2018. However, even though AC units provide excellent service and are usually of great quality, things can go wrong.
One of those common problems is a leaking air conditioning unit. If your AC unit leaking is causing problems, you can take a few steps to fix things. Keep reading to learn how to fix a leaky AC unit.
Cracked Drain Pan
Your drain pan holds the responsibility of holding excess water that’s created during normal AC operations. It funnels this water into the condensation line to get the water out of the system.
Unfortunately, your drain pan can crack and rust after some time. When this happens, water will drip onto your floor instead of heading to the drain line. You’ll need to replace your drain pan to solve this issue.
Clean Your Condensation Line
Your air conditioner doesn’t work without any byproduct. If there is a lot of humidity, your AC will produce condensate because of the air quality. This condensate needs someplace to drain.
Most systems use a condensation line to drain excess water from HVAC systems. Unfortunately, these lines will get clogged up sometimes.
One of the easiest ways to unclog this line is to pour bleach down the drainpipe next to your AC unit. Doing this will kill any mold and algae that builds up in the piping. If this doesn’t work, you’ll need to use a shop vac on your outside drain to suck out anything in the line.
Unclog Your AC Filter
Your AC unit relies on your air filter to produce excellent airflow through the system. It not only keeps air flowing but also makes sure the air flowing in is clean. If it’s clogged, it’s hard for enough air to flow into the system.
When this happens, it’s harder for your evaporator coils to function and will cause them to freeze over. You’ll notice a drip as your coils continue to thaw after freezing over.
Check Your Refrigerant
One of the final steps to troubleshooting a leaking AC is to check the refrigerant level. Your AC uses refrigerant to cool down the air as it flows through your AC system. If there isn’t enough refrigerant flowing, it makes it harder for your AC to cool down your home.
If this happens, your evaporator coils might freeze over. When they start thawing, they’ll start leaking and dripping from your unit as your drain pan overflows. A refrigerant leak isn’t easy to diagnose on your own, so make sure to reach out to an air conditioner expert like wallyfalkes.com to resolve the problem.
An AC Unit Leaking Isn’t Always a Big Deal
Having an AC unit leaking is enough to freak many people out, but there are a few simple things you can try before you call an HVAC expert. The steps above will help you troubleshoot the most common leaking air conditioner problems. Learning how to do this yourself won’t only save you money but also give you a leg up when fixing other household problems.
If you want to learn more excellent home improvement tips, check out the blog to find more great DIY tips.
