Why is my air conditioner dripping water?
Is your air conditioner dripping water inside your home?
Firstly, turn off the air conditioner so that it doesn’t cause any more water damage. There could be many reasons for a leaking air conditioner, keep reading to learn why your air conditioner is dripping water and what you can do to fix the problem.
Is water leakage from air conditioners normal?
A small amount of water is absolutely normal due to condensation. But it is a matter of concern if the water leaking is dripping inside your home or you can see water pooling around your home.
7 Reasons why your aircon is leaking water
#1 - Dirty Air Filter
Dirt can get trapped on the air filter and restrict the airflow to the evaporator coil. This can cause the evaporator coil to freeze. When you turn off the aircon, the ice deposited on the coil will begin to thaw. This can cause excess amounts of water to leak out.
#2 - Broken Condensate pump
Condensate pump is responsible for pumping the water out of the aircon. Air conditioners absorb humidity from your home and separate moisture from the air causing water to collect into the drip pan. This water is pushed out with the help of the condensate line. If the pump breaks, it can lead to water damage. To prevent this problem in the future, install a float switch on the aircon. The float switch will shut down the aircon and prevent water overflow.
#3 - Low refrigerant
If there are low level of refrigerants in the system, the pressure in the unit will decrease and cause the evaporator coil to freeze. When the ice thaws, it will cause excess water to leak indoors.
#4 - Clogged condensate drain line
The drain line can get clogged with dust or dirt which can cause water to leak into your home.
#5 - Rusted drain pan
If you have an old air conditioner, there are high chances that the drain pan has formed rust or it has broken. A damaged drain pan can cause the water to leak. Luckily this issue has an easy fix, replacing the drain pan will usually fix the problem.
#6 - Lack of maintenance
Your aircon needs annual servicing from a professional. If you do not get it cleaned regularly, the internal components will work with subpar efficiency. Needless to say, the unit can be plagued with water leaks and frequent breakdowns. Regualar servicing for air conditioners can keep your aircon in a good condition and increase the longevity of the unit. Your local aircon technicians can service your unit once or twice every year, clean the internal components and replace the damaged parts. Keep your aircon well-maintained by setting up a preventative maintenance plan with New Wave Air.
#7 - Faulty installation
If your air conditioner is brand new, poor installation can lead to leaks, insufficient cooling and frequent breakdowns. Speak to the company who installed your aircon if it is near new and leaking.
How to fix a leaking air conditioner?
- Clean or replace the air filters - if they are clogged or dirty, cleaning them can fix the problem. Ideally you should replace the filters every 3 months, so if you haven't had them replaced in a long time, change the air filters.
- Inspect and clean the drain pipes to clear any blockages.
- Call a reliable air conditioning technician from New Wave Air for a professional air conditioner service if you're in Sydney.
