Water puddles or droplets inside the house are a cause for concern. Water can damage the woodwork, increase the humidity inside the house, and also cause mold to grow. One needs to take action quickly to kill the root of the problem. One main reason for water inside the house is air conditioners.
“Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Water Inside?” This is a very common question that people ask in summers. But there is no one answer to satisfy all. The reasons could be many and varied.
What To Do Before Figuring Out “Why”?
You know that your air conditioner is leaking water inside the house. Before figuring out why this is happening, you need to take these two steps to minimize water damage:
1. Immediately turn off the AC unit. It will prevent further dripping of water and also protect your AC from more damage.
2. Mop up the water that has dripped to prevent any damage to the ceiling, walls, floors, and other items nearby.
Why AC Produces Moisture?
AC produces moisture; you know that. If you didn’t, the dripping water and wet floor is evidence enough to prove so. But do you know why the air conditioning unit produces moisture? Once you know the answer to this question, you will know where to look for defects.
Every air conditioner consists of an evaporator coil. It is an A-shaped contraption that is filled with extremely cold refrigerant. Air passes over the evaporator coil when the AC is switched on. When warm air comes in contact with the cold refrigerant, its temperature drops until it turns desirably cool.
This temperature change results in condensation due to which moisture is produced. This moisture is collected in the drain pan in the form of water. The drainage pipes, provided in the AC unit, collect the water and releases it directly into the ground or a water collection area.
Why Air Conditioner Leaks Water Inside?
The common reasons due to which your air conditioner could be leaking water inside are:
1. Disconnected Drain Line – If the drain line is disconnected, there is no way it can dispose of the water, which is formed due to condensation. So, before looking for complicated problems, look for the most obvious ones. A disconnected drain pipe will prevent the flow of water into the drip pan, and as a result, it could start leaking inside.
2. Clogged Drain Line – Dust, debris, mold, and insects can cause blockage of the drain pipe. If the drainpipe is blocked, the water will start accumulating inside the AC unit and sooner or later begin dripping inside the house.
3. Rusted Pipes – Another reason for the air conditioner leaking water inside is rusted pipes. Corrosion can cause cracks or breaks in the pipe. It could also cause an obstruction and clog the pipe. If this is the case, you will have to replace the rusted pipeline.
4. Rusted Drain Pan – The drain pan is positioned under the air handler, which is typically in your attic or closet. Due to rusting the drain pan can develop cracks and holes, causing accumulation of water in and around the indoor AC unit. The accumulated water drips down and causes leakage.
5. Malfunctioning Condensation Pump – Water is collected into the condenser pan and the condensation pump removes the excess water from it by pumping. If the pump itself is faulty or broken, it will not pump out all the excess water. Some of it will leak inside. Only a professional can check whether the condensation pump is malfunctioning and take corrective action.
6. Dirty And Damaged Air Filters – Dirty and damaged air filters block the airflow. As a result, sufficient air does not hit the evaporator coil. The coil then freezes. When it melts, the drain pan is unable to hold the sudden increase in water influx, and it spills over, causing leakage.
7. Frozen Coils – As mentioned above the evaporator coil can freeze due to dirty and damaged air filters. However, it can also freeze if the refrigerant level is lower than ideal. Low refrigerant level causes the coil to become very cold, so much so that it freezes. Repeated thawing and freezing makes the drain pan overflow due to which water may leak inside. Again, low refrigerant levels should be handled by professionals only as they can check for leaks in the seal at the same time.
8. Lack Of Maintenance – Every machinery demands maintenance to work efficiently. Air conditioners are no different. Lack of adequate maintenance can manifest itself in many forms. One of which may be the air conditioner leaking water inside. So, next time when you wonder, “Why is my air conditioner leaking water inside,” think about when was the last time you got a professional to do its maintenance. If the answer is not in a long time, you need to correct this oversight immediately.
9. Old Unit – If your AC unit is more than 15 to 20 years old, its time to replace it. Once they are past their useful, productive life, they will malfunction for no rhyme or reason. To keep taking corrective action will be a cost-heavy expense, knowing fully well that something else will go wrong soon. Replacing does not mean to have the same model and make installed once again, albeit a new one. Replacing means upgrading with something which is more in sync with the technology today.
Closing Notes
The formation of water droplets due to condensation is a normal part of air conditioner operations. The concern arises when this water finds its way inside the house and does not dry up quickly enough. All kinds of spillages and leaks are bad for your house as they can cause accidents and health issues. Water dripping from the air conditioner is no different. Most basic checks you can do on your own to find out the reason behind this water leaking inside. But for more complex problems you need professional assistance. If you need help from a West Palm Beach-based HVAC professional, do look us up. Our elite team of professionals is always at your service.
