Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking?

So you come home wanting to relax after a long day, only to find out that water is all over your floor because your air conditioner has been leaking water for some reason!

Immediately your mind starts racing about AC repair costs and the frustration of being hot, uncomfortable, and possibly out a few hundred bucks.

Just calm down and take a breath. We are here to tell you that it may not be quite as bad as it seems. Several things can cause an AC unit to leak water, some of which do not require significant repairs and may have simple solutions.

If you find yourself dealing with a troublesome air conditioning leak, check out some of these possible causes before calling in a professional.

Have a question about your air conditioning system? Contact Madd Air Heating & Cooling Today!

5 Common Causes of an Air Conditioning Leaking

All AC units contain an evaporator coil within the indoor unit, which cools the warm air blowing over it and creates condensation. As the moisture builds up, it drips down into the drain pan and then down a condensation drain line.

Now that you have an idea of where the moisture is most likely coming from let’s talk about a few things that could cause leaks.

• Cracked or Missing Drain Pan- First and foremost, you may need a new drain pan. Drain pans are what collect all of the moisture produced within your unit, and if it can’t hold water or is missing altogether, there will be a leak.
• Clogged Air Filters- Yep, clogged air filters can cause leaks! How? When a dirty air filter is clogged up with dust and debris, it can cause the evaporator coils to freeze over. Once that ice melts, it drips an excessive amount of water into the drip pan and overflows. To solve this problem, be sure to change out your air filters at least once a month and twice a month if you have pets in your home.
• A Broken Condensate Pump- If your indoor HVAC unit is located in your basement, then you will have a condensate pump for pumping excess moisture outside. If your condensate pump is broken, the moisture from your AC unit cannot be pumped out and will begin to leak. A broken condensate pump will require a repair or replacement.
• A Clogged Condensate Drain Line- A clogged condensate drain line is probably one of the most common causes of a leaking HVAC unit. Condensate drains can become clogged with sludge, mold, dirt, etc. When this happens, the clog will need to be cleared for proper drainage. To do this yourself, you can try using a shop vac to suck out the clog. If this doesn’t work, you may need to call a professional with a special vacuum to clear it for you.
• Low Refrigerant- Low refrigerant can also cause your evaporator coils to freeze and then melt, resulting in excess moisture production and leaking. If your air conditioner isn’t cooling or is making a hissing/bubbling sound (the sound of leaking refrigerant) you may need to have an HVAC technician service your unit. This will most likely involve either repairing the leak or replacing the whole unit.

Repairing Your Air Conditioning Leak

Now that you have a few signs to look for go through the motions and try to determine the source of your HVAC leak.

If you can repair it yourself, well then, you’re welcome! If not, feel free to give Madd Air Heating & Cooling a call! We can get your AC unit back on its feet in no time.