If you find your AC develops a leaking problem, your first instinct is probably to panic. However, as long as you remain proactive in the situation, you’re already off to a great start. 

There are a few reasons an AC unit will start leaking, and some are even quick fixes that can be done at home. If you’re not familiar with the unit, however, we do recommend calling your local HVAC professional to get the problem handled quickly and efficiently.

As we all know, water leaking from any electric device is never a good thing, so it’s best to get to the root of the problem at hand. Here are a few tips on what to do when your AC is leaking water.

Why is your AC leaking water?

Of course, your best bet is always to find the source of the problem as opposed to going in with no direction and trying to fix the problem. 

One common reason your AC could leak water is from a clogged condensate drain line, which often happens due to the dirt and dust that passes through it. With the moisture going through the unit, the dirt sticks to the sides of the line, causing it to back up.

Another issue that could be causing a leak is the lack of refrigerant in your AC unit. This can lower the pressure and cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Since evaporator coils are used to convert the liquid in the unit to vapor, not having enough refrigerant means the coils can’t do their job. 

With most power units, one standard maintenance procedure you do is replace the air filter. This is the same in air conditioners. Dirt can back up in the filter and prevent power from being supplied to the evaporator coils. This can also lead to the coils freezing, which, in the long-term, can cause irreplaceable damage to the unit.

Drain pans can also be the culprit of a leaky air conditioner. When a drain pan gets damaged or rusted, your best bet is to replace them. Sometimes, drain pans crack and can be repaired with sealant, however, if the pan is rusted, it’s time to replace it.

What to do about it

For starters, a good habit to get into is to change your air filters regularly, especially if this was the cause of the leak! You should only ever need to replace them every 1-3 months, so be sure to mark a day on the calendar when your unit is in use!

Make sure your drain pan isn’t damaged and that it fits, as well! Leaks could be caused by an incorrect drain pan as easily as a damaged one. 

Give your AC a break

It’s tempting to turn your AC to the absolute lowest temperature on hot days, however, this could strain the AC. Try to use it for a few hours at a time, or not turn it down so low when possible.

At the end of the day, you’re not alone in your HVAC problems. Triangle AC is here for all your heating and cooling needs. Since 1952, we have specialized in HVAC cooling, heating, smart thermostats, and air duct systems. 

Contact us today for more information!