There are more than 100 million homes in the United States that have air conditioning systems, and sometimes, these systems can leak water inside the house and outdoors. It’s not “normal” for air conditioners to be leaking. What makes an air conditioner leak?
Why Is Your Air Conditioner Leaking Water?
You might notice water leaking as condensation that collects, or you might notice an area that may be dripping water, instead. Either way, the problem usually comes down to one of four common problems.
Four common reasons why your air conditioner might be leaking are:
- The air filter has accumulated too much dirt, dust, and grime
- The condensate drain line is clogged
- The drain pan of your unit is damaged or rusted
- Your air conditioner no longer has enough refrigerant
However, drips and leaks can be caused by problems not listed above, too, so don’t hesitate to contact A-1 Heating & Air, Inc. for expert diagnosing and repairs.
1. Too Much Dirt Clogging the Air Filter
When the air filter of your HVAC system is jam-packed with all kinds of debris that it has trapped, it can cause problems not just with restricted airflow through the system but also with the evaporator coils.
Specifically, it can cause the coils to freeze over from a lack of proper airflow. Evaporator coils that freeze up can become extensively damaged and also cause damage to other parts of the unit, leading to the need for extensive repairs or even an A/C replacement.
2. A Clogged Condensate Drain Line
This is the most common cause of water dripping from an A/C unit. When the condensate line gets clogged with dust, dirt, and debris that has passed through it, it begins to mix with the moisture of the A/C unit, then sticks to the inside of the drain line.
The gunk builds up and builds up until it eventually becomes clogged, causing the line to back up and overflow out from the air conditioner.
3. Damaged or Rusted Drain Pan
This one is a relatively simple fix, and it usually happens to older air conditioners that have been around for several years. If you have a drain pan that is cracked, you can use sealants to line the crack and seal it up.
If your drain pan is rusted through, however, the fix is a bit tricker. When the pan is rusted right through, there’s not much of it left to work with anymore, and there are usually many holes for the water to fall through. You’ll need to have a Bay Area HVAC expert from A-1 Guaranteed come out and help.
4. Your Air Conditioner Doesn’t Have Enough Refrigerant
When there isn’t enough refrigerant in your air conditioner, it can lower the pressure in the unit and cause leaks. When this happens, you’ll first notice that something is wrong because the air that is expelled isn’t as cold as it should be.
In addition, low refrigerant levels can cause your evaporator coils to freeze up; the refrigerant powers up the coils to do their job. When there’s no refrigerant, the coils won’t perform and will begin to freeze because of it. When the unit heats up, it’ll warm the coils and cause leaks from the unit.
Get Help from the#1 Napa/Solano HVAC Team
A-1 Guaranteed Heating & Air, Inc. is the customer favorite for all things HVAC and more! We serve customers throughout the entire Bay Area, so if you have an air conditioner that’s leaking, give us a call! We are also the area’s leading experts in air quality solutions, solar solutions, insulation, and more.
