Finding water inside your home from your air conditioner may be concerning, but it is not always a problem.
Some leaking from your AC is normal. But, large amounts of water or leaking when your AC is not running can be a sign your AC is broken.
That’s especially so if your air conditioner blows warm air instead of cooling your home. Or, you feel like there isn’t enough cool air coming through the ductwork and vents.
To understand some of the reasons why your AC may be leaking, you need to understand the basics of how an air conditioner works.
An air conditioner’s inside unit contains the evaporator coil. The AC pulls the warm, humid air out of the room and runs it over the coil, which is colder than the surrounding air because it contains a refrigerant.
This difference between the cold coil and the warm air causes moisture (condensation) to form on the coil.
When a system is working correctly, this moisture collects on the coil, and then drips into the drip pan, down the condensate drain line, and out of your home.
There are many reasons why this process might not be working properly.
While some may be able to be tackled by a handy homeowner, diagnosing the problem and accurately fixing it is best handled by your Meridian heating and cooling specialists.
Let’s take a look at some possible problems.
- Clogged Condensate Drain Line: This is the most common cause of water leakage. The condensate drain line may become clogged with dirt, mold, and sludge. This may cause water to back up, requiring a pipe cleaning.
- Damaged Drain Pan: The drain pan catches the dripping water, but if your AC system is old, your drain pan may have become rusted, corroded, or damaged to the point where it no longer holds water. A professional is needed to replace a drain pan.
- Air Filter Needs to be Replaced: If an air filter gets clogged with too much dirt and grime, it will restrict air flow. This could cause the evaporator coil to freeze up. When the coil eventually unthaws, the melted water may overflow the pan causing puddles. Prevent this problem by participating in our Worry Free Filter Program.
- Refrigerant Levels are Too Low: Having low refrigerant levels lowers the pressure of your AC system. This lower pressure may also cause your coil to freeze over causing the same problem mentioned above.
- Condensate Pump Malfunctioning: Some homes need condensate pumps to pump the water from the basement (or other areas) to the outside of the home. If this pump is broken or malfunctioning, the water will collect and puddle.
- Cool Temperatures Outside: If you are attempting to run your air conditioning when the weather outside is below about 60 degrees or so, you may have problems with water leaking. This is also do to the coil freezing because the air blowing over it is too cold.
- Installation Issues: If your air conditioning system is new and leaking, it might be a problem with how the unit was installed or because it is not properly sized for your home. An inspection will be needed to determine the problem.
Benefits of an AC Tune-Up in the Spring
One of the best ways to head off any potential cooling problems – and make sure your AC system is ready for the summer – is be getting a tune-up in the spring.
That’s when a certified HVAC professional inspects, cleans, and optimizes your system. They’ll also identify and fix any problems left over from last year.
The result? Better cooling, lower bills, and much, much lower chances of a cooling system breakdown when it’s sweltering hot outside.
That could save you a ton of money – each year you go without having to pay for a new air conditioner is more value you get out of your current system.
Air Conditioner Repair in Eagle, ID
If you are noticing unusual amounts of water leaking from you AC, it is wise to contact a professional to diagnose and repair the problem. Snowflake Air serves the great residents of the Treasure Valley from Boise to Kuna. If your air conditioner in Eagle, ID needs to be repaired, call us today.
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