Air conditioners are complex machines that require proper, professional maintenance to ensure that they’ll work properly all season long. Without proper maintenance, you’ll run into problems like air conditioner leaks, meaning you may start to see water pooled
around the indoor unit of your system.
If you are experiencing water leaks near the indoor unit, make sure to turn off your unit completely. This is to ensure your safety and prevent any damage to the unit itself and to your home.
Water forms in your air conditioner from the cold evaporator coil in your indoor unit. Warm air is blown over this coil, which in turn cools it before it’s blown through your home. Condensation forms along the evaporator coil and drips down into a drain pan before being expelled from the unit through a condensate drain line that leads outside or into your plumbing.
When something affects the water drainage from the evaporator coil, drain pan or drain line, you’ll the water around your unit as a result. We’ve outlined some common problems that may cause air conditioner leaks, but you should always consult with a professional to make sure you’re correct and have necessary repairs done.
- The air conditioner leaks may be the result of a clogged drain line.
When the line leading away from your unit is clogged with dirt and grime, the water is blocked from flowing through and pools in and around your unit instead.
- The condensate pump may be broken.
If your indoor unit is located in your basement, you likely have a condensate pump to push the water outside through the drain line. The pump can malfunction and break, leaving the water with nowhere to go but pool around your air conditioner.
- Your air conditioner’s air filter may be very dirty.
When the air filter hasn’t been properly cleaned and is clogged up, the cool air cannot flow through. The air then reverses along the evaporator coil and freezes the condensation on the coil. This frozen build-up eventually melts and overflows the drain pan, causing the air conditioner leaks you see.
- Your unit may have low refrigerant:
Low refrigerant occurs when the refrigerant line gets a leak. This can also result in freezing the evaporator coil and cause the same problem when it melts and overflows the drain pain.
Air conditioner leaks are usually serious problems best handled by professionals. If you’re seeing water pooled around the indoor unit of your air conditioner, schedule a service call as soon as possible.
The best way to avoid future problems with your air conditioner is scheduling proper, professional maintenance to ensure that your unit is running smoothly and all repairs are made. Delta Air Systems is fully dedicated to our customers and understanding their home comfort needs and issues in order to maintain and repair them completely to avoid any further issues.
Contact us today for more information about air conditioner leaks or any other questions you may have about your home comfort systems.