Your air conditioner has been working overtime to keep your home cool and comfortable this summer. Unfortunately, extended usage of your air conditioner can lead to adverse effects, including unit leaking. If you notice that your air conditioner is leaking, it’s important to do something about it to protect your property from any form of water damage.
There are a number of reasons why your air conditioner may be leaking. Air conditioning leaks are common, especially if an HVAC technician didn’t service it before it was activated for the summer. The following article will discuss three reasons why your air conditioner may be leaking water.
Evaporator Coils Have Frozen Over
Your air conditioning unit is more susceptible to leaking if the internal air filters are dirty or clogged; dirty air filters accelerate the evaporator coils’ freezing process. Your evaporator coils rely on adequate airflow to take in the heat; therefore, a clogged air filter will prevent adequate airflow and cause ice to formulate on the coils. While a clogged air filter is a primary reason for frozen evaporator coils, it can also occur if your coils are dirty, if your vents are blocked, if your unit is low on refrigerant, or if the blower motor has malfunctioned.
Damaged or Full Drain Pan
Inside of your air conditioner, you’ll find a drain pan which captures the condensation within the unit. If you notice any leaks, it’s important to inspect your drain pan for an overflow and potential damage. Before you check your drainage pan, turn your unit off completely. If there is excess water sitting on top of the drainage pan, use a dry vac to clean it up. Furthermore, if your drain pain is damaged, you can use a sealant to cover it up as a temporary solution.
Blocked Condensate Drain Line
While modern air conditioning units have mechanical shut-off features when there are issues with the air filter or condensate drain line, older models are still susceptible to these HVAC complications.
Over time, your condensate line may get clogged with algae and other debris. This is another reason why it’s so important to have your HVAC system inspected twice a year.
If your HVAC unit is leaking, it’s critical that you don’t delay mechanical service. Not only is water damage dangerous to your property, but it can also lead to issues like mold and mildew growth. There is still a lot of time left before the hot weather fades away, so you’ll want to make sure that it’s been inspected for maximum efficiency. For more information, contact Thomson Industries today or check out our website to view our product line.
