If your AC has begun to leak, you may be wondering what to do to fix it. That’s why Comfort World Air Conditioning & Heating is here to help! Here are a few reasons why you may be dealing with an AC leaking water and what you can do to fix the issue.
Why Water Forms in your Air Conditioner
Air conditioners do create water as part of the cooling process, but they’re designed to prevent the water from escaping and causing damage to your home. So, let’s do a simple breakdown of how your air conditioner works. As the cold refrigerant inside the evaporator coil absorbs heat from the air, moisture develops along the coil. This moisture drips off the coil and then falls into a condensate pan below. This shallow pan doesn’t hold the water for long as the condensate drain draws it down the drain and removes it.
So, a small amount of condensation is normal. However, if you notice a puddle of water around your AC, then you have a problem. No need to panic though! Here are a few reasons why this could be happening.
Reasons Your AC is Leaking Water
Dirty Air Filter
Changing your air filters is extremely important, not only for your health but for the health of your AC unit. And a dirty filter could be the reason behind your ac leaking water.
A dirty filter can block the airflow that moves over the unit’s evaporator coil. When the air is blocked, it can cause the coil to freeze. When the frozen coil melts, excess water will collect in the condensate pan and begin to overflow. To avoid this, simply make sure you change your air filter regularly.
Clogged Drain Line
A clogged condensate drain line is a common reason for an AC leaking water. Over time, your condensate drain line can become clogged with dirt, dust, or even mold. When it gets clogged, water can’t be drained out, so all the condensation will come back in and leak water.
An easy way to unclog the drain line is to use a wet/dry vac to remove the debris. This should remove anything causing a clog, freeing the line so water can escape. If the wet/dry vac doesn’t work, you should call a professional for help.
AC is Low on Refrigerant
When the volume of the refrigerant gets low, the pressure inside the AC system gets low, too. This can cause your evaporator coil to freeze, and once that thaws, you’ll have a mess. If you notice your AC isn’t cooling down your home like normal, check the refrigerant levels. Some other signs to look out for are unusual bubbling or hissing sounds, which could mean your refrigerant is leaking.
Damaged Drain Pan
A cracked or damaged drain pan could also be the reason for an AC leaking water. As units age, so do their parts. Rust can gather and cause the pan to weaken or develop cracks. Good news: this is an easy fix. Just replace the old drain pan with a new one!
AC Leaking Water? Not Anymore
If you know what to look for when your AC leaks water, you might be able to solve the problem yourself. But if you can’t figure it out, contact us at Comfort World Air Conditioning & Heating! We’ve been bringing comfort to the valley for over 30 years, so you can count on us to get the job done right. Our highly trained technicians in Scottsdale, AZ want to bring a little more comfort to your world!