7 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water: Easy Fix
Are you having trouble with your air conditioner leaking? It can be a real nuisance and it can cost you money in the long run. Before you try to fix the problem yourself, it’s important to understand what could be causing the issue.
In this article, we will look at the different reasons why your air conditioner could be leaking and what steps you can take to fix the problem.
What Causes an Aircon to Leak Water?
There are a few different reasons why your air conditioner might be leaking water. Let’s take a look at some of the most common causes.
1.Clogged Condensate Drain Line
The most common cause of an aircon leaking water is a clogged condensate drain line. Over time drainage becomes blocked with mould, dust, insect parts and other debris.
This drain line runs from the condenser unit to the outside of your house. If this line is blocked, the water will overflow and start to leak out of your air conditioner.
2. Blocked Evaporator Coil
When an evaporator coil becomes blocked, it can cause a build-up of condensation and moisture that cannot escape the system. This causes the evaporator coil to freeze up, which can lead to water leaking from the air conditioner.
When the evaporator coil is blocked, the air conditioner is unable to properly disperse heat, so the excess moisture needs to escape somewhere.
3. Malfunctioning Condensate Pump
When an evaporator coil becomes blocked, it can cause a build-up of condensation and moisture that cannot escape the system. This causes the evaporator coil to freeze up, which can lead to water leaking from the air conditioner.
When the evaporator coil is blocked, the air conditioner is unable to properly disperse heat, so the excess moisture needs to escape somewhere.
4. Clogged Air Filters
When a filter is blocked, it can reduce the airflow going through the system and cause the evaporator coil to become much colder than normal.
This cold coil can cause condensation to form on it, which will then collect and drip down into the drain pan below.
If the drain pan becomes full, the water will overflow and leak out of the air conditioner, creating a potential mess and a potential safety hazard.
Additionally, if the filter is left uncleaned for too long, it can cause the cooling system to freeze up, which can also lead to water leaking out of the unit.
Therefore, it is important to regularly clean or replace the filter in order to keep the system running properly and avoid any water leakage.
5. Frozen Evaporator Coil
Frozen evaporator coils in air conditioning units can be caused by a number of different issues.
The most common cause is when the unit has been running for too long without sufficient airflow.
This occurs when the filter is dirty or clogged, or when the outdoor fan motor is malfunctioning. Low refrigerant levels can also cause frozen evaporator coils, as the lack of refrigerant prevents the necessary heat exchange.
Other causes may include a defective thermostat, blocked condensate drain line, or incorrect air flow due to a dirty air filter or blocked vents. In some cases, an oversized air conditioning system can also cause the evaporator coils to freeze up.
6. Low Refrigerant or Refrigerant Leaks
If your air conditioner is leaking water, it could be due to a low refrigerant level or a refrigerant leak.
Low refrigerant levels can occur over time due to small leaks or when too much refrigerant has been added during servicing. Refrigerant leaks are often caused by corrosion and wear of the system’s components.
If the system has a leak, the refrigerant must be replaced, and the leak repaired before adding new refrigerant.
Depending on the severity, this could involve replacing a component, soldering a joint, or patching a hole. A technician should be consulted to diagnose and repair the issue.
If the system is not cooling or reaching the desired temperature, apart from a dirty system, low refrigerant is a common indication.
7. Lack of Insulation or Broken Seal on Ducting
Insulation is an important part of any air conditioning system as it helps keep the temperature of the air within the ducts consistent and prevents condensation from forming.
Without insulation, condensation can form on the inside of the air conditioning ducts when warm air contacts the cold surface of the ducts.
This can lead to water collection and mould growth, which can be a health hazard. In addition, when condensation forms on the outside of the ducts, it can cause damage to the walls and ceilings of your home.
Regular Maintenance Helps Stop Your Air Con Leaking Water
Regular air conditioner cleaning is one of the most effective ways to help prevent your air conditioner leaking water. A dirty air conditioner can cause a build-up of dust and dirt, which can clog the coils and drain pans, resulting in water leakage.
Cleaning the air conditioner regularly helps to reduce the risk of this happening by removing any debris or dirt that may have built up on the coils and drain pans.
Additionally, when the air conditioner has been cleaned, it’s easier to identify any potential problems with the air conditioner that could be causing water to leak.
If any issues are identified, they can be addressed promptly before further damage occurs. By keeping the air conditioner clean and well maintained, it should help to reduce the likelihood of your air conditioner leaking water.
Read more information on how to identify and eliminate mould in your air conditioner here.
Conclusion
Having a leaking air conditioner can be a real nuisance. It can cost you money in the long run and it can be inconvenient.
In this blog post, we have looked at the different reasons why your air conditioner could be leaking and what steps you can take to fix the problem.
The best way to prevent air conditioner water leakage is to make sure that you are doing regular maintenance on your air conditioner. If you need help with this, get in touch with Spotless Clean Air Services, air conditioner cleaning professionals. Servicing split and ducted systems on the Sunshine Coast and all surrounding areas.