While central air conditioners don’t use water to help cool your home, that doesn’t mean the system doesn’t produce moisture. In fact, one of the benefits of air conditioners is that they reduce humidity in your home during operation. On the most sweltering days, your cooling system can remove up to 20 gallons of moisture from your home’s air. However, several issues can cause your cooling system to leak.
1. Clogged Condensate Drain Line
Cold refrigerant runs through the evaporator coils in your air conditioner to cool your home. Like water droplets on a glass of ice water, moisture forms on these coils as part of the cooling process. When condensate drips from the coils, a drain pan under the unit captures it. The pan has a drain connecting to a condensate line. The line either drains directly outside or into your home’s sewer system.
Water backs up into the system when the condensate line becomes clogged with dirt, debris, or algae. This can cause water to leak on your floor and possibly damage the air conditioner. To solve this issue, you can contact a HVAC technician to disassemble your cooling system’s drainage system and clear the blockage in the condensate line.
2. Dirty or Clogged Air Filter
Your air conditioner’s air filter prevents dirt and debris from entering your cooling system and causing damage to its internal components. It also plays a critical role in maintaining indoor air quality by capturing contaminants that would otherwise recirculate through your living spaces. However, when a filter becomes dirty, it inhibits proper airflow to the system.
When the system can’t circulate the proper amount of air, the evaporator coil gets too cold. This excessively cold coil then condenses more moisture, and if it’s bad enough, it can freeze and cause the system to overflow when it thaws. You can prevent this by changing your air filter regularly. Experts recommend changing it out at least every three months. However, you may have to replace it more often based on factors like whether you have pets, how many people live in your home, and how frequently your system runs. Many homeowners inspect their cooling system filter once a month to ensure they know when it needs replacing.
3. Improper Installation
Proper installation is critical for the system to run effectively, which includes not only how it cools your home but also what happens with the moisture it pulls from the air. Improper installation may be as simple as the system not being level, which can interfere with proper water flow. It could also be a problem with the slope of the condensate line. Most systems depend on gravity for adequate drainage. Finally, a faulty connection between the drain pan and the drain line can leak and cause a puddle of water in your house.
4. Low Refrigerant Levels
The refrigerant level in your air conditioner is critically important to allow it to absorb heat inside your house and vent it outside. Like a clogged air filter, insufficient refrigerant can cause the system’s evaporator coils to get too cold, causing the cooling system to freeze and leak water when it thaws.
Since modern air conditioners are closed systems, they can only lose refrigerant if there is a leak. You will need to contact a professional to repair the leak and refill the refrigerant to the proper level.
5. Faulty Condensate Pump
Some air conditioners are equipped with a condensate pump to remove the moisture that accumulates during the cooling process. They are incorporated into cooling systems where traditional gravity drainage is impractical. The pump pulls the water from the drain pan and forces it through the condensate line. If you have a pump issue, a professional can often solve it by cleaning it out, or they may need to replace it.
6. Blocked Return or Supply Vents
The supply vents in your home deliver conditioned air, while the return vents bring it back to your air conditioner to be cooled again. These vents must be open and clear to allow airflow through the system. Blocked or closed vents lead to the same freezing and thawing issues as clogged air filters and low refrigerant.
To prevent air conditioner leaks related to vents, ensure that household items such as area rugs, drapes, and furniture do not interfere with airflow. Return vents need 12 inches of clear space around them, while supply vents need 6 inches.
Dust and debris buildup can also limit the amount of air that can travel through your vents. To clean them, remove the covers with a screwdriver. Then, use a washcloth and hot, soapy water. A stiff bristle brush can be helpful in eliminating caked-on grime. While the covers are drying, you can use a vacuum with a soft brush attachment to clean the inside of the vents up to where your ductwork begins. After replacing the vent covers, ensure they are in the fully open position for optimal airflow.
7. Excessive Humidity Levels
Excess humidity levels outside or inside can cause additional condensation. This happens because higher humidity levels raise the dew point, which is the temperature at which moisture condenses out of the air. This extra moisture can overwhelm your air conditioner’s drainage system and result in a leak. If you’re finding your home is maintaining more than 50% humidity, you may want to check that you have the right amount of ventilation and that it’s working effectively. You may also consider a whole-house dehumidifier. A professional can integrate one into your forced air system to control humidity levels in your home.
8. Leaking Ductwork
Ductwork transports the conditioned air from your cooling system throughout your home. You might experience water leaks from your ductwork for several reasons, including moisture buildup and condensation.
When ductwork is not properly insulated in crawl spaces or attics, the cold air inside the ducts can cause moisture in the warm, humid air outside the ducts to condense on their surface. Over time, this moisture drips to the floor and forms a puddle. Alternatively, if there are gaps or disconnections in the ductwork, warm air can seep in and meet the cold air flowing through the ducts. Faulty ducts can lead to condensation forming on their interior surfaces, which may eventually leak out your supply vents. Have your ducts inspected if they look wet or if you have water coming from your vents. A professional can seal gaps, repair damaged connections, and insulate ductwork in unconditioned areas of your home.
9. Neglected Routine Maintenance
Annual maintenance is critical for keeping your air conditioning running correctly. Your maintenance technician will check the refrigerant level and clean the interior components of your cooling system, including the evaporator coils, to improve airflow. They will also lubricate all its moving parts, tighten electrical connections, and fine-tune the system so it runs efficiently. Neglecting this maintenance can cause many cooling system issues, including leaks.
Contact the Pros
At Magic Electric, Plumbing, Heating + Air, we have been serving the residents of Magic Valley and the surrounding areas for over a decade. We install, maintain, and repair heating and cooling systems as well as provide electrical and plumbing services. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with one of our experienced team members.