Key takeaways:
- Your air conditioner can leak water due to various issues such as a clogged drain line, frozen evaporator coils, or an old drain pan.
- An AC water leak introduces humidity into your home and can lead to serious problems if you ignore it.
- Airstream offers five-star HVAC services in Middle Tennessee. We can diagnose why your AC is leaking water and fix the issue.
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Finding a few drops of water coming from your outdoor AC unit is no cause for concern, but a puddle of water, whether inside or outside, indicates a real problem with your HVAC system.
With Middle Tennessee’s humid climate, a leaking AC can quickly lead to serious humidity problems in your home.
Read on to learn more about the common causes of an AC leaking water and what you should do about it.
Why Your AC System Produces Water
The water in your AC system is a natural byproduct of the HVAC cooling process. Your AC unit produces cool air by pushing warm, moist air over evaporator coils filled with refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air, and condensation forms on the coils as part of this process – it’s a key part of removing humidity from indoor air!
The condensation drips into a pan and exits your AC system via a condensate drain line.
If your AC is leaking a liquid with a sweet or chemical smell, you’re dealing with a refrigerant leak rather than water leakage. Stay away from it and call an emergency AC repair service right away.
Clogged Condensate Drain Line
Your AC drain line, typically a PVC or copper pipe, runs from the inside air handler to the exterior of your home, usually ending near the outdoor unit. This line channels water from the drain pan to the outside of your AC system.
Clogs can form inside this line, causing water to back up and overflow from the drain pan. These blockages are frequent in the summer, when high humidity combines with airborne contaminants like pollen and dust, forming a grime layer restricting water flow.
You can flush a clogged drain line to remove minor blockages, but it’s best to call an HVAC pro to remove serious clogs.
Some AC systems have two drain lines, one acting as a backup in case the first gets clogged. If your secondary drain line becomes active, it’s time to flush the main line!
Frozen Evaporator Coils
Cool evaporator coils are a sign your AC is working well, but there is such a thing as coils that get too cold.
When the temperature on the surface of the coils drops below freezing, condensation doesn’t drip into the pan below. Instead, it freezes and forms a layer of ice over the coils (which considerably reduces your AC’s efficiency).
Your local HVAC tech should investigate since frozen coils often indicate low refrigerant levels or clogged air ducts.
Damaged or Rusted Drain Pan
Your AC’s drain pan catches water dripping from the evaporator coils until it can exit the HVAC system via the drain line.
If you have an older HVAC system, your drain pan can rust and even crack due to age. It’s a simple fix – your HVAC repairman will swap out the old drain pan for a brand-new one.
Broken Condensate Pump
If your AC is below ground level, a condensate pump likely moves water out of the unit and into the drain line.
This pump can malfunction, usually due to age (or lack of maintenance), calling for a repair or a replacement.
Improper AC Installation
The Tennessee Residential Code and Tennessee Mechanical Code outline the rules for installing an HVAC system, although the specifics vary by jurisdiction.
If the person who installed your system didn’t follow these rules, you can end up with an air conditioner leaking water:
- Issues with drain lines not moving water properly, due to not being angled correctly, are common.
- You can end up with an AC leak if the drain line and drain pan aren’t properly connected.
- Your AC’s drain pan must be installed on a flat surface, so it doesn’t leak.
An HVAC contractor can inspect your AC, determine any issues with the installation, and fix these problems to bring your system up to code and prevent leaks.
High Humidity Overloading the System
Humidity levels trending north of 70% are common in Nashville, and humidity can even spike higher in the summertime.
The higher the ambient humidity, the more condensation will form when this warm and humid air meets your cool evaporator coils. This can reach a point where the condensation is too much for your system, and the drain pan overflows.
If this happens, it might be time to upgrade your AC unit or add a dehumidifier (which will improve comfort in your home and prevent air conditioner leaks).
Airstream Can Fix Your AC Leaking Water
Is your AC leaking water? Don’t wait, an AC leak is the perfect recipe for spreading humidity problems throughout your home.
Airstream can diagnose and fix your AC leak. We’ve been offering five-star HVAC services to our Middle Tennessee customers since 2012 and take pride in our exceptional customer service and highly-trained technicians.
Book your HVAC service today!
FAQ
Can I still use my AC if it’s leaking water?
It’s best to turn your AC off. A water leak can indicate a deeper problem with the system, and operating with high humidity inside could cause more damage.
Is a leaking AC an emergency?
If your AC is leaking refrigerant, it’s an emergency. If there is a water leak, you should get the problem fixed before using your AC, but waiting until the next business day is fine.
How do I stop my AC from leaking water?
You can try flushing the drain line yourself. If it doesn’t solve the problem, call an HVAC contractor to diagnose the problem. Keeping up with HVAC maintenance can prevent future leaks.
What is the main reason for water leaks in HVAC systems?
Clogged drain lines are a common cause. However, your HVAC can leak water due to a damaged drain pan, an old condensate pump, a bad installation, or higher-than-usual humidity levels.
