My AC Is Leaking: Why and What to Do

As the weather heats up, you are likely cranking up the air conditioning to keep cool and comfortable. An AC unit that is well cared for will last you a long time. However, even with a lot of attention and maintenance, sometimes an air conditioning unit starts to leak water. Before you say, “My AC is leaking, I need a new one”, know that most leaks can be fixed fairly easily. Here’s what you need to know.

Why Do AC Units Leak?

Air conditioners work by removing warm air from your home. They do this by exposing the air to an evaporator coil. AC works as hot air passes over the coil and condensation forms.  Water is taken from the air and drips into a pan that has a drain line attached to it. This condensate drain line then leads the water out of your home while the newly cooled air is passed into it. Just like magic! Things don’t seem so shiny and bright, however, if water is now dripping down your wall.

AC units can leak inside your home for a number of reasons. These include:

• A clogged drain line
• Low refrigerant
• A dirty air filter
• A rusted drain pan
• A broken condensate pump

Many problems with your AC can be fixed with a minor tweak. If you are mechanically inclined, have the right tools, and also a bit of time on your hands, you might try to conduct air conditioner maintenance and fix the leak yourself. Here’s how.

What to Do if Your AC Unit Is Leaking

There are many ways you can attempt to fix a leaking AC unit. A true fix can take some trial and error. You might:

• Vacuum Out the Drain Line

  • If your drain line leading out of your AC unit has become clogged with dirt and debris, this could be causing the leak. When water can’t pass through the line and it’s blocked, the water can then seep back into your home.

    If things look dirty, try vacuuming the line out with a wet/dry vac to see if this helps. If it doesn’t, you could try the other tips listed here or contact a professional. AC maintenance technicians have access to vacuums with more power that can succeed in loosening stubborn grime that doesn’t want to come out.

• Change the Air Filter

  • A dirty air filter forces your unit to work harder, and it can block warm air from moving over the evaporation coil. Blocked air can then cause the coil to become cold and freeze. Once the frozen coil does come in contact with warm air, however, it melts, causing your drain pan to overflow.Your AC filter should be replaced every thirty days. Try to replace your filter with a new one and see if the leaking stops.

• Replace the Drain Pan

  • Leaking can also be caused by a damaged drain pan. Take a good look at your own. Is it rusty? An AC unit that has been running for over a decade can have a drain pan that’s seen better days. Buy a new pan and swap it in to see if this helps.

• Replace Your Condensate Pump

  • Finally, it could be that your condensate pump has broken down. This means that water generated by your AC can’t be pumped outside. When this happens, the water accumulates and causes trouble. Such a scenario can cause a lot of damage to your home and it’s important to replace a broken pump as soon as possible.

Not Sure? Leave the AC Maintenance to the Professionals

If you are wondering why “my ac is leaking” and you can’t find the solution on your own, contact the professionals at Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning. We have extensive experience servicing residential AC throughout Central Florida, including the Orlando, Sanford, Longwood, Lake Mary, and many other areas.  With highly qualified technicians who get the job done right, we are always happy to help.

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Scott’s Heating & Air Conditioning is a full-service heating and air conditioning company and a Bryant® Factory Authorized Dealer in Central Florida. Whether you need repair, maintenance, or installation of a new heating or cooling system, we provide efficient, cost-effective, and professional service. When it’s hot, call Scott!

Categorised in: Air Conditioning