5 Reasons Why Your AC Unit May Be Leaking Water
You depend on your AC to keep you cool throughout the warm Kentucky summers. That’s why it can be alarming to find that your air conditioner is leaking water. When you find a water leak around your AC, it’s important to find out what is causing the leak so that the issue can be repaired and kept from growing into an even larger problem. Read on to learn some of the reasons for water leaks around your air conditioner.
Why Does an AC Produce Water at All?
Before discussing the common causes of AC leaks, it’s important to address how your AC produces water in the first place. The air conditioning system contains an indoor and outdoor unit. An evaporator coil is found in the indoor unit. The evaporator coil is where the refrigerant changes from gas to liquid when passing through it and cooling the warm air.
As this process occurs, moisture from the humid air condenses and drips into a drain pan. The drain pan leads to a condensate line that eventually drains the water outside. But sometimes the water might leak inside due to the following issues.
1. A Clogged Drain Line
If the drain line that helps move condensation to the outside becomes clogged, it can’t do its job. Unfortunately, the drain line can get clogged with various items, including mold and mildew. If the line is clogged, you will usually see water dripping from your unit.
You can unclog the line by using a wet/dry vac. Connect the vac to the line and suck out all of the clogs. A solution of water and vinegar can also be used to flush debris out of the line. If you aren’t comfortable with doing this job yourself, you can reach out to Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing for help.
2. A Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter can cause your AC to work harder than it needs to. In addition to leading to a higher energy bill, this can also cause AC leaks and other problems. With a dirty filter, air cannot flow properly through your AC. When this happens, the evaporator coil gets extremely cold and freezes. When the ice on the coil melts, you will see water leaking around the unit.
Preventing this problem is as easy as regularly changing your filter. For most homes, the air filter should be replaced at least every 90 days.
3. Low Refrigerant Levels
AC leaks can also be due to an issue with the refrigerant. Without enough refrigerant, the system will not be able to transfer the heat from inside your home to outside, and the pressure inside the system will drop. This can also cause the evaporator coil to freeze and later melt. Excess water will cause the condensate pan to overflow and cause a leak.
If you suspect that your AC is low on refrigerant, you need to have the system checked by a professional to find out if there is a refrigerant leak. This could be caused by another issue that needs to be repaired. An AC technician can also safely add refrigerant back into your AC
4. A Broken Condensate Pump
The condensate pump is also responsible for draining water from the air conditioning unit. If your condensate pump is damaged, it might cause the condensation to stay inside the unit. This will lead to a leaking problem. The condensate pump can malfunction and cause a leak, or it can be simple wear and tear over time. It is essential to get it checked by a professional and either get it replaced or repaired.
5. An Aging System
Is your AC 10 years old or more? If so, your leak may be simply due to regular wear and tear. A leak can also happen if the system is not properly maintained or has been serviced with low-quality parts. An old system could mean a damaged drain pan or faulty drain components. If you have an older AC that is leaking water, it may be time to consider investing in a new unit from Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing.
Schedule Your AC Service Today
At Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing, we have been helping residents of Somerset and the surrounding area with their AC issues for several years. Our BBB-accredited company offers AC repairs, installation, and maintenance. We also offer a full range of heating, drain cleaning, and indoor air quality services. If you are looking for more information on common AC issues or want to set up a service appointment, contact Jeffries Heating & Air + Plumbing today.
