During the normal cooling process, your air conditioner pulls moisture from the air and expels it outside via the condensate drainage system. If you discover a puddle of water under your indoor air handler unit, it's a sign of a problem somewhere in the cooling system. Investigating these possible causes of a leaking air conditioner can help you fix the issue on your own, or know when to call an HVAC pro.
Missing or Damaged Condensate Pan Air conditioners have a collection pan positioned just below the evaporator coil to catch condensed water. If it's rusted through or missing altogether, the condensate will pool on the floor beneath the air handler unit, but replacing it should fix the leak. Clogged Condensate Drain Line The warm, moist environment of an A/Cs condensate drain can allow mold or algae to flourish and eventually clog the line and cause a backup. To clear the drain, suction out the clog with your wet/dry vacuum, then use a 50-50 water/bleach solution to flush the line. Dirty Air Filter A dirty air filter can slow airflow over the evaporator and cause it to freeze up. When the ice melts, the collection pan can overflow and create a mess. To fix this and keep it from happening again, put in a new filter then check it every month and replace it whenever accumulating dirt is visible. Faulty Condensate Pump If your air conditioner has a motorized condensate pump on the drainage system and it fails, water can back up and overflow into your home. If you suspect that the pump has failed, call an HVAC professional for help. Refrigerant Leaks If the evaporator coil freezes up, melts and overflows the A/Cs condensate drainage system and you're hearing a low hissing sound from the coil or the refrigerant lines, a coolant leak is likely the cause. To solve this and prevent component damage, have your HVAC technician locate and fix the refrigerant leak and recharge the system. For expert help fixing a leaking air conditioner in your Hampton Roads area home, contact us today at Russell's Heating & Cooling. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chesapeake, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about leaking air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 757-750-1831. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “schatzy/Shutterstock”