One of the most common problems homeowners experience with their air conditioning units is leaking water, indoors and outdoors. In fact, nearly 90 percent of service calls over the summer months are in regards to leaks. Even if there’s not a large amount of water pooling around your unit, if you don’t take care of the leak as soon as possible it can easily cause a great amount of damage to your system.

The Top 5 Reasons for a Leaky Air Conditioner

While a small amount of condensation on or around your air conditioner is normal, especially on a hot, humid day when it’s working hard, if the leak persists for longer than 24 hours, it’s possible there’s another issue at hand. And, it’s fairly simple to do a little troubleshooting if or when you notice your air conditioning leaking water. Here are five reasons your A/C unit is leaky, and how to deal with the issue:

1. The filter is clogged. We can’t stress enough how important it is to have a clean air filter at all times! A dirty, clogged filter causes a variety of problems with your system, including leaks. If the filter is dirty, the evaporator coils can freeze up, which causes excess water to spill over from the drain pan.
2. There’s a hole in the overflow pan. If your air conditioner is getting up there in years, the overflow pan may start to rust, which leads to cracks or holes that water can spill right through. You can check the pan by shining a flashlight into it, and if you notice any sort of damage, it’s time to replace the pan.
3. The condensate drain pipe is blocked. This is another fairly common reason water is leaking from your air conditioning unit. The drain line can get clogged with dirt, dust, or even mold, which causes the water to back up into your home. In this case, it’s worthwhile to call a professional to unclog the drain pipe.
4. The refrigerant levels are low. If the refrigerant is low, pressure in your A/C system is also low, and the evaporator coil can freeze up, just like it would with a dirty air filter. As the coil melts, water leaks overflows the drain pan. If you notice hissing or bubbling sounds coming from your unit, or your home isn’t cooling down as it should, you have a low refrigerant issue. The leak will need to be repaired, or, in severe cases, your whole system may need to be replaced.
5. Your unit was not properly installed. Is your air conditioner on the newer side, yet it’s leaking water regularly? This is a sign that it or some of its components simply weren’t installed properly. For instance, if it’s the wrong size for your home, or perhaps if the drainage pan was installed incorrectly.

Have you noticed  your air conditioning unit leaking water this summer? The team at Efficient Heating and Cooling is ready to help! If you’re in the greater Cleveland area, contact our team today! Or, give us a call at 216-663-6462.