What Causes an Air Conditioner to Leak
While all A/C’s leak some water, certain conditions cause your air conditioner to leak more. Action Air wants you to be aware of the most common causes.
Dirty Air Filters
- Your air conditioner needs to be able to pull air into the air handler. When you have a clogged air filter, it can restrict the flow of warm air, causing a frozen evaporator coil.
Low Refrigerant
- Refrigerant levels need to be just right for your unit to operate efficiently. When your system has low Freon levels, it can cause the evaporator coil* to freeze.
*The evaporator coil refers to the part of your air conditioner that absorbs the heat and takes it out of the air circulating around your home. When working correctly, the evaporator circulates the refrigerant or Freon vapor at about 40 degrees. If you have any ice in the evaporator coil, this will create more ice, and eventually, the entire evaporator coil will become a huge block of ice. With the coil freezing, the blower fan will strain to pull air through the evaporator coil and will most likely overheat. Click here for a video on Evaporator coil freeze.
Disconnected or clogged condensate drain
- All A/C’s create condensation as the evaporator coil cools the air pulled into the air handler.
- Your AC system has a condensate pan under the evaporator coil that catches water.
- The drip pan can leak water if the condensate drain line gets clogged.
- It will also leak if the condensate drain pipe gets disconnected from the AC unit.
The water produced by your air conditioning system under normal circumstances is not enough to cause harm. However, when your unit has too much condensation because it is continuously running or the drain is clogged, there are several concerns:
- Mold and mildew
- Sheetrock and insulation damage
- Electrical complications.
You can reduce the risk of damage from a leaking air conditioner by properly maintaining your HVAC system.
If you have any A/C system problems, now is the time to call Action Air for a complete check-up.
Action Air has provided heating, cooling, sales, and service since 1979. We have certified, NON-COMMISSIONED service technicians, qualified installers, and a knowledgeable sales staff. We can help you with your heating and cooling needs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you need action, call Action Air (931) 647-8525.