An Air conditioner leaking water is a common issue among homeowners, but it is not a dangerous one. Under the best conditions the air conditioner should circulate clean, dry air throughout the house. When the air conditioner becomes damaged or in disrepair, the air in the home will become warmer, even moist. Moist air is not dangerous to healthy people in the house, however Prolonged exposure to moist air can become a problem if people in the home have respiratory issues. A leaking air conditioner may also damage furniture or structural components of the home.
When you have a leaky air conditioner it’s best to troubleshoot, diagnose, and repair as soon as possible. This assures your AC unit works properly, efficiently, and safely at all times.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Water?
Your air conditioner cools the air in your home through a specific process that always leads to condensation. Ideally, when the air conditioner works properly, the condensation is carried outside through a drain line.
A clogged drain line is one of the most common causes of a leaky air conditioner. When the AC drain line is clogged, the condensation will build up in the system and eventually cause a water leak in the house. The drain lines become filled with mold or mineral deposits over time and backup into the home. This leads to a water leak.
A clogged or faulty air filter is another common cause of leaky air conditioner systems. Failing to change your air filter frequently enough can lead to air quality issues, drops in efficiency, increased repair costs, and shortened life of the unit. This is because a clogged or faulty air filter can lead to decreased airflow through the system.
Frozen AC coils can leak in the house. When the AC runs with restricted airflow for an extended period of time, the AC coils can freeze. An air conditioner that leaks water indoors most likely has had frozen coils. They’ve thawed and spilled out of the drain pan and will most likely freeze and thaw again. Unless corrected, the AC coils will continue to freeze and the AC will continue to leak, leading to raised energy costs and more strain and wear on the system.
Too-low refrigerant levels can lead to low pressure inside the air conditioning system. This can cause your evaporator coils to freeze and lead to leaks as well. A big indicator of low refrigerant is warm air coming from the air conditioner. When the refrigerant is low the system will not sufficiently cool the air. You may notice the system runs constantly and may even hiss when it runs, indicating a leak.
A rusted or damaged drain pan may lead to indoor AC leaks. This is usually because the AC unit is older. The air conditioning system circulates air, removes moisture, and cools the air by “condensing” which leads to condensation. This condensation will leak into the home if the drain pan is damaged. If this is the cause of your AC leak, replacing the pan may be the easiest fix.
A damaged condensate pump may lead to water pooling and leakage indoors. Like the drain line, this pump is designed to remove the water from the system and take it out of the home. If the pump stops working, the water will backup into the system and eventually into the house as a leak.
Depending on how severe the leak is, you’ll either need to schedule service for an ac repair or replace your entire AC unit. If you think you may need to replace your older air conditioning system, read this article, “When To Upgrade Air Conditioner”
Troubleshooting AC Leaks
An air conditioner leaking water into your home is a big deal. It’s also a noticeable problem that can be addressed as soon as it occurs.
One of the biggest investments a homeowner will make to their property is the air conditioning unit, and it can be devastating to experience issues with the air conditioner. If the AC issues lead to other problems in the home—like water damage—it can be even worse to manage.
The first thing to do if you notice your air conditioner leaking is to change the air filter. Shut off the system and make sure the coils are not frozen.
If your filter was not dirty, but your coils are frozen, it’s important to call a professional.
If your filter was not dirty, and your coils were not frozen, it’s important to call a professional as soon as possible. Professional repairs and routine maintenance are key in keeping energy costs low and keeping your system lasting as long as possible.
AC Repairs in Tallahassee
Homeowners in and around Tallahassee can depend on Cooper’s Plumbing & Air for all their AC needs. We diagnose and repair leaky AC units throughout the Tallahassee area for both rental and residential properties.
Our team of HVAC experts can speedily diagnose your leaky air conditioner and make swift ac repairs to get your system up and running.
Our flat rate pricing gives new and existing customers confidence in our consistent service and care. You won’t be disappointed and you won’t be surprised. In fact, for big repairs, we offer a range of financing options. Since we are the only authorized dealer of York brand products, our York customers can be confident in our York diagnostics and repairs. Additionally, Cooper’s Plumbing & Air experts have a variety of common parts at all times, so we can get you up and running in no time at all with a scheduled service call.
Say Goodbye to that Leaky AC unit and Hello to Cool Comfort!
Even if your AC leaks today, it doesn’t have to leak tomorrow. Hiring Cooper’s Plumbing & Air to diagnose and repair your leaky AC will be the best thing you do for your system. In addition to diagnostics, you can count on Cooper’s for 24-hour emergency service, AC repair, installation, and replacement, evaporator coil services, refrigerant leaks, air duct services, and more.
To schedule with Cooper’s call 866-464-7132 or chat with us online.