Your air conditioning unit functions to keep your internal home temperature at an optimal level by drawing warmth and additional humidity from the indoor air. While extracting moisture from the interior air, your air conditioner usually develops water or condensate within the air handler. This condensate is then removed through piping into your building’s drainage system.
During this process, a sludge buildup or a malfunction may occur in the piping system. When that happens, moisture starts to back up in the drain line indoors, which can then spill into your home. Performing regular inspections and maintenance of your AC unit is the best way to ensure optimal performance.
Now, let’s discuss some of the common causes of your AC unit’s water leakage and their solutions:
Lower Refrigerant Level
If your AC unit is not providing enough cool air or you hear a bubbling or hissing noise, it’s a sign that your AC unit has a lower refrigerant level. The pressure inside your HVAC unit decreases, and causes it to melt. You can either contact a professional HVAC repair company to repair the leak or replace the entire unit if necessary.
Dirty Air Filter
An uncleaned air filter will obstruct the airflow to the AC unit’s evaporator coil, making it colder than usual and even freezing over. This leads to the dripping of melted ice, overwhelming the drip line, and eventually resulting in water leakage. To avoid this issue, have your air conditioner regularly inspected via certified HVAC contractors. In case of a dirty air filter, replace your unit’s air filter immediately for efficient operation.
Clogged Condensate Drain
The constant flow of hot air over the evaporator coil creates water vapors on your AC unit’s chilled metallic exterior. As a result, the liquid flows into a pan present beneath the condensate line. Due to a continuous cooling pattern, the water flows away before the pan overflows.
During this process, dirt, debris, and fungus deposits can result in a clogged condensate drain, which blocks the liquid from flowing away correctly. Leave the clog cleaning procedures to expert HVAC services to ensure your unit functions appropriately and avoid further unit damage.
Malfunctioning Condensate Pump
Some air conditioning units rely on a condensate pump to get rid of water efficiently. Even if the condensate drain of your unit is free of obstructions, the pan may collect water from time to time. This accumulated water can seep out of the pan if the condensate pump is not functioning correctly.
First, check thoroughly whether the condensate pump is receiving power. If the power supply is fine and the issue persists, consult with a nearby dependable HVAC contractor to find and fix the problem.
Damaged Evaporator Coil
If the water is dripping down your AC unit in a small amount rather than in substantial quantity, it may be due to water coming out of the evaporator coil instead of the condensate line. This issue usually arises due to dirty or damaged evaporator coils of AC units. The best way to overcome water leakage from your unit’s evaporator coil is to schedule yearly air conditioning maintenance.
Nor-Can Heating & Air is a premier HVAC contractor that provides first-rate air conditioning unit installation and maintenance services to its customers in Edmonton. Visit our website to learn more about our expert HVAC services or contact us for customized service.
