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What should you do if you suddenly find water on the floor next to the air conditioner cabinet? Don't panic; this can happen to HVAC units occasionally, especially if you don't get regular maintenance. Read on and learn how to deal with AC water leaks.
Condensate Line
Your central air conditioner not only cools the air but also removes humidity from your home. After the moisture condenses on the indoor evaporator coils, it runs through the condensate line to a pan. From there, is drains away to the outdoors. Sometimes this line becomes clogged with dirt and debris which, when mixed with condensation, becomes sludge. When this happens, moisture can't flow outdoors, but it can overflow the condensate pan, and depending on where it is located, it can end up as water on your floor or, if upstairs, the ceiling. One telltale sign is dripping sounds inside your AC as it struggles to dehumidify the air.
If you have your air conditioner serviced every spring, your tech would likely pour bleach into the line to ensure that moisture flows freely. But if your line becomes clogged, it's a fairly simple repair. Your HVAC tech can also unblock the line with a wet/dry vac so there aren't any AC water leaks.
Dirty Air Filter
Another reason you may have AC water leaks is due to a dirty air filter. Dirty air filters impede the flow of air in the unit so that they may fail to properly remove moisture on the evaporator coils. When this happens, you may hear dripping sounds or see some flooding on the floor. Also, your air will not be cool. Always change the air filter according to the manufacturer's specifications.
Refrigerant Leak
A refrigerant leak will also keep your air conditioner from properly cooling the air. When there's a leak, the pressure inside the unit is lower, causing the evaporator coil to freeze. Once again, the AC is not able to cool or remove moisture, so that condensation may leak from the unit.
To learn more about AC water leaks, contact Air Assurance of Broken Arrow.