Is your air conditioner leaking, leaving you feeling clueless as to what to do about it? As homeowners, we are often up against challenges that we don’t always know how to remedy. In this article, you’ll learn about some of the reasons why AC units leak and some of the ways you can try to correct the problem
Water Forming in Your Air Conditioner
Modern air conditioning systems are typically made up of indoor and outdoor components. One part is an evaporator coil, which is used to cool the warm air. This cool air is then forced into your indoor environment, keeping you and your family comfortable. When warm air runs over a coil, condensation will form. It’s the same logic as placing a cool drink in a warm space; condensation forms on the outside of your glass. Sometimes an overabundance of condensation will lead your AC unit to leak water inside of your house. While you may believe this to be an emergency, chances are you do not have to panic. Here are a few reasons this might be happening.
A Clogged Drain Line
Your system has what’s called a condensate drain line. More times than not, a clog in this line will cause your AC to leak inside of your home. The clog usually is made up of debris, dust, mold, or general grit. When the line is clogged, the condensation cannot drain outside of your home. Therefore the water leaks back into your system, leaving you with water pooling near your unit.
You can try eliminating the clog by removing the debris with a vacuum system, like a Shop-Vac. If that doesn’t help the problem, you will want to call a professional to remove it for you with their powerful suction tools.
Check The Air Filter
Homeowners often forget to change their air filters. Most AC systems thrive when the air filter is changed every 30 days, and not doing so will make your system work harder. This results in damaged or worn-out parts, leaving you with costly repairs. A dirty filter on your evaporator coil will block air coming into the unit, making it less efficient and may even cause the coil to freeze. A frozen coil that melts causes an abundance of water, making your unit overflow.
Low Refrigerant
Another way your evaporator coil will freeze is if the refrigerant volume is low. This causes the pressure inside of your AC system to below, creating a wet or soggy mess. If you notice your air conditioning unit seems to be running more often than it should, you can check your refrigerant levels to see if that is the culprit. The same could be said if you hear bubbly sounds or hissing, which may also be the result of a leak in your system. When you catch the leaks in time, they can often be repaired. However, if you don’t, it can result in having to purchase a completely new system. You can avoid all of these problems by having your HVAC system inspected regularly. We suggest having it inspected every Summer, so you aren’t caught in a financial lurch.
Other AC Leaks
Another reason your AC system is leaking is that it’s simply getting old. This is usually a result of damage or normal wear and tear. The typical lifespan of a modern AC system is between 12 and 15 years. Before replacing the entire system, you can try swapping out a rusty drain pan to see if that solves the issue.
Question, how is your condensate pump? This is another culprit to a leaky AC system, especially if the unit is in a basement and having to pump water outside your home. When the pump breaks down or is not working, the water cannot be displaced. This is a crucial repair and needs to be handled as soon as possible. If you’re unsure if that’s what’s happening, we always suggest calling a professional to have them evaluate your refrigerant lines or condensate pumps.
Call Your Go-To Professionals
We know maintaining these types of systems can be a pain for homeowners. After all, we go through the same problems that you do in our own homes. We try to make our house calls as easy and streamlined as possible, which is why we welcome you to call us anytime with your specific questions or concerns. We have a team standing by to help you through your AC issues.