If you’ve ever come home to a puddle of water around your air conditioner, you may wonder why your AC leaks. While there are a few different reasons this may be happening, the most common cause is a problem with the condensate line.
Dirty Air Filter
A dirty air filter is one of the most common causes of a leaking AC. If your filter is clogged, it won’t be able to do its job of trapping dust and other particles, which can cause your evaporator coils to freeze up. When this happens, the ice can melt and cause your AC to leak.
Leaking Refrigerant
Another common cause of a leaking AC is a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant helps your AC cool your home, and if there’s a leak, it can also cause your AC to leak.
Condensate Line Clogged
The condensate line is responsible for draining away the water that your AC produces when it’s cooling your home. If this line becomes clogged, it can cause your AC to leak.
Faulty Drain Pan
The drain pan collects the water your AC produces when it’s cooling your home. If this pan is cracked or damaged, it can cause your AC to leak.
Broken Hose
If the line is damaged, it can break or leak. To check if this is the case, unscrew the front grille and look for any water or mud pooled around the line. If there is, take the time to clean it using a vacuum cleaner and a brush.
How to Prevent AC from Leaking
While water leaks can be annoying, there are a few things you can do to prevent them from happening.
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Clean the evaporator coils.
The evaporator coils are located inside the AC unit. These coils absorb the heat from the air inside your home and help cool it down. If these coils are dirty, they won’t be able to function properly. This can cause your AC to leak.
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Clean the drain pan.
If the drain pan is dirty, it can cause your AC to leak. To clean it, remove the pan and clean it with mild detergent. Rinse it off and dry it before putting it back in place.
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Inspect the hoses.
If the hoses are cracked or damaged, they can cause your AC to leak. To inspect them, remove the front grille and look for any cracks or holes. If you find any, replace the hoses.
How to Tell if Your AC is Leaking
There are a few ways to tell if your AC is leaking. If you see water on the floor around your AC unit, it’s probably leaking. You can also check the inside of the unit for moisture. If the unit is leaking, you’ll see water on the inside of the unit as well. Another way to tell if your AC leaks are by checking the Freon levels. If the Freon levels are low, it could be due to a leak.
The Bottomline
There are several reasons your AC may be leaking. It could be due to a clogged drain line, a problem with the evaporator coil, or low refrigerant levels. If you notice your AC leaking, be sure to contact a qualified HVAC technician to diagnose and repair the problem.
Are you looking for an air conditioning service in Bradenton, FL? Suttner Cooling & Heating is your local expert in AC installation, repair, and maintenance. Get in touch with us.