Your air conditioner, whether it’s a window unit, a ductless mini-split or a central AC, produces moisture as it works. This moisture is discharged to the outside through a condensation drain. There’s a problem if water leaks from anywhere else in the system. Here are reasons why this could happen.

1. The Drain Is Broken or Disconnected

One reason for a leak is that the drain line is disconnected from the drain pan. This is one cause of a leak, but it’s an easy fix for an HVAC professional.

2. There Are Clogs in the Drain Line

Like the drain in your plumbing system, the drain in your air conditioning system can become clogged with debris. When this happens, water can’t be drained away from your home, and a leak occurs.

3. The Condensate Pan Is Full or Damaged

The condensate pan collects the water that drips from the AC’s evaporator coils as heat is pulled from the air. If this pan isn’t cleaned out often, it can collect all kinds of debris. The pan can’t send water to the drain line, and it spills out where it shouldn’t.

4. The Evaporator Coil Freezes

There’s a list of reasons why the evaporator coil freezes up, but when it does, it causes your AC to stop working altogether. When you turn the system off, leaks appear as the coil thaws out.

5. The Air Filter Is Dirty

You may be surprised that water leaks are one of the many problems caused by a filthy air filter. An air filter that’s clogged with dirt and dust makes the AC work too hard. Eventually, this can cause the evaporator coil to freeze. You should change your air filters at least once a month.

6. The Condenser Is Broken

The condenser releases hot gas into the outside air. If it’s broken, it can’t do this job, which results in leaks. Your AC can also take longer to cool your house down, make weird noises, overheat, and eventually shut down.

7. The AC Was Installed Improperly

Another cause of leaks is the improper installation of the AC unit. If every component of the air conditioner is working the way it should but it’s still leaking, a bad installation job may be the problem. Call in another HVAC company to have the problem fixed.

8. You Have Low Refrigerant Levels

Leaking water is one of the signs that your refrigerant levels are low. Low refrigerant levels may also be accompanied by a warm house or bubbling sounds from your AC. Call in a professional to fix this problem; a layperson shouldn’t handle refrigerant.

Contact Us If Your AC Is Leaking

A water leak from your AC is messy and can eventually cause damage to whatever sits beneath your AC unit. For HVAC services, get in touch with our professionals at Peak Home Performance of Colorado Springs, CO.