Given how important your residential or commercial AC unit is to your comfort—and even your health—on the warmest days of the year, you may be understandably concerned to discover a problem with your unit. One of the most common signs of potential damage is a leaking air conditioner. You may notice water pooling around the base of the unit, or it may even be dripping through your drywall.
A leaky AC unit is problematic because it can indicate a malfunction in the unit, and it could also result in water damage or mold growth in the home that can be costly to deal with. Identifying and addressing the cause of the issue quickly is critical for the cheapest fix.
Here are some of the most common reasons why your AC unit may be leaking as well as solutions for addressing the problem.
Clogged Condensation Drain
Your air conditioner produces condensation through its normal functions. A drain line is located near the unit to carry the condensation away and to avoid damaging drywall and other surfaces near the AC. This drain line can become clogged from dust, dirt, algae growth and more. If so, it may need to be professionally flushed.
Improperly Connected Drain Line
The drain line can become disconnected for a variety of reasons. When this line is loose, the condensation collected in the drain pan may not be able to flow out of the home through the line. Instead, it may overflow from the pan or stream out through the leak between the drain pan and line. Simply reconnecting the line should resolve the problem.
Chilly Outside Temperatures
Evaporator coils in your air conditioner can freeze for a couple of different reasons, but the most common cause is running the AC unit when the outdoor temperature is cool. When the coils are frozen, the AC unit may leak. This usually happens when ice on the coils melts, leading to excessive dripping which causes the drain pan to overflow. Defrosting the coils and avoiding use of the unit until the outdoor temperature rises can help you get your system back on track.
Malfunctioning Condensation Pump
The role of the condensation pump is to push water from your condenser pan outward through the drain line. When the pump is malfunctioning, the pan will fill with water and may overflow. This creates a leak. Generally, a licensed HVAC professional should repair or replace the pump for you.
Dirty Air Filter
You may not realize it, but a dirty air filter can cause your AC unit to leak. This is because airflow is restricted when your filter is dirty. This can cause the evaporator coils to overexert themselves to the point where they freeze. When ice melts from the evaporator coils, the drip pan will eventually overflow. Replacing the air filter and cooling off the evaporator coils should resolve the problem.
Low Refrigerant Levels
Refrigerant is a critical component of a well-maintained AC unit because it provides the cooling power for your unit. When your system has a low level of refrigerant, the evaporator coils can freeze. This is due to the system working harder than it needs to in order to cool your home, causing overexertion in your coils. You can have a licensed HVAC technician check your refrigerant levels and refill the unit with refrigerant as needed.
All air conditioners produce some condensation with regular use, and the roles of the condenser pan and drain line are to capture and remove this condensation so that you do not have a leak. However, when these components aren’t working properly or when too much condensation is produced, your unit may leak.
If you’re not certain what is wrong with your unit (check out this list of common A/C issues homeowners have) or if you’re not comfortable making the repair on your own, contact a licensed HVAC technician for assistance. Periodic maintenance service can prevent many of these leakage issues from developing in the first place.
