Water in, around, or near an electrical appliance presents a hazardous situation. The air conditioner falls in the same category of appliances, and therefore, it is essential to be vigilant about leaking water near it. The unique thing about ACs is that they produce water while cooling the air. But this water or condensate is dispelled outdoors via the drain line. In some cases, the water starts spilling indoors, and this is when it becomes a concern because, as we said earlier, water and electrical appliances are a hazard.
8 Possible Explanations Why Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water
1. Blockage In Condensate Line – The condensate line, also known as the drip line, is a long tube-like structure. Its work is to discard the collected condensate outdoors. Sometimes dust and other debris find their way inside the tube, and from there, their buildup increases slowly. These accumulations harden and block the pipe if the line is not cleaned. In this situation, the water will not drain outside. Failing that, the water is forced to back up and drip indoors. As a result, you will notice the dampness on the walls or water puddles around the indoor unit. The easiest remedy to this problem is disconnecting the drain line and using the household vacuum cleaner, sucking out the blockage. If the remedy does not work, you can call an HVAC technician to solve it for you.
2. Disconnected Drain Line – Typically, the drain line is connected to the drip tray. In the rare case, it comes loose or gets disconnected. The result is that the condensate cannot drain properly from the drip tray into the drain line. A part of it flows out and down from where the two meet. Again this will cause dampness of walls and water puddles around the evaporator unit. All you need to do is check the point where the two meet. If the pipe has come loose, tighten it and if it is disconnected, reconnect it. In a few rare cases, if it still keeps coming off, replace the drainpipe with a new one.
3. Cracked Drip Tray – The drip tray or the drain pan is that vital component of the AC where the moisture extracted from the air collects before it flows out. Age and corrosion often lead to holes and gaps in it. And from these gaps, the collected condensate flows out, leading to leaking water. If it is a matter of tiny holes or a small crack, one can seal them using a heavy-duty sealant. Nonetheless, if the holes are big or the cracks are too large, the ideal solution would be to replace the damaged drip tray.
4. Faulty Condensate Pump – In some models of air conditioners, there is a condensate pump that ensures complete drainage of the condensate. When this pump malfunctions, it prevents the water collected in the drip tray from flowing down the drain line — consequently, the water in the drip tray overflows and leaks. Call an HVAC technician to check why the condensate pump is not working. They will assess the problem and suggest repairing or replacing the faulty pump.
5. Frozen Evaporator Coils – Low refrigerant levels lead to the freezing of the evaporator coils. The more you continue to use it, the bigger the ice buildup. When the ice melts, the is no way for the water to drain outdoors, and so it drips down the coils and collects around the unit. If you face a similar problem, the first thing you should do is switch off the AC. Next, call your HVAC technician and apprise them of the problem. If the problem is low refrigerant level, they will first find the source from where it leaked out and patch it up. Only once that is done will they top up the refrigerant. Now, the evaporator coils will not ice up.
6. Clogged Air Filter – If the air filters of the HVAC system are not switched out regularly, they become clogged, making it extremely difficult for the air to pass through. The lack of adequate ventilation causes the evaporator coils to become too chilly. As a result, the extracted humidity freezes over the coils and leads to ice buildup. When this ice melts, it causes water to drip down the walls. Switching out the air filters regularly (preferably monthly) will ensure adequate ventilation. Thus, the temperature of the evaporator coils will not drop beyond the usual level, and there will be no water leakage.
7. Low Outdoor Temperature – If you set the thermostat to cool in winters when the outdoor temperature is already low, it will cause freezing of the evaporator coils. When the coils thaw, the resultant water will leak. Ideally, if the outdoor temperature is below 60 degrees Fahrenheit, do not switch on the AC. If you want cooler interiors, simply switching on the fan without cooling will give you the desired effect.
8. Damaged Evaporator Coils – Small drops of water or a large puddle around the air handler indicate water is splashing off the evaporator coils and not flowing into the drip tray as it should. This happens when there are holes in the insulation around the coils or when the coils are filthy. To prevent either scenario, annual AC maintenance is a must as it will cover both conditions.
The Crux
There are several reasons why your air conditioner could be leaking water. Most situations can be handled by you, like changing the air filters, cleaning the drain line, and tightening it. For other reasons, using the expertise of an HVAC technician is your best bet. Mainly, please ensure regular annual maintenance of the AC, and you should not have to face such issues.
If you reside in West Palm Beach and are dealing with water dripping from your AC, contact Aztil Air Conditioning. We are a reputed company specializing in HVAC repairs, maintenance, and installation. Our technicians are certified and will provide complete resolution for your HVAC problem. Our offices are always open so feel free to call us any time. You can reach out to us at +1-888-729-8452.
