While your central air conditioner adds welcome, cool comfort to your house, a dripping AC provides something else that’s not so welcome: Chronic water leakage from an air conditioner can be a source of damage to your home, as well as trigger mold growth and mildew. Any sign of drips, seepage, or spillage beyond minor condensation should be considered a malfunction. In most cases, a dripping AC should be brought to the attention of a qualified HVAC technician to identify the cause and correct it ASAP. Here are some potential causes behind water leakage from an air conditioner that could create a dripping AC.
- Leaking condensate drain pan. Located underneath the indoor central-AC air handler, the drain pan collects water condensing on the evaporator coil. Many drain pans are plastic and prone to crack after years of use, creating puddles under and around the unit. For the able do-it-yourselfer, replacement of a leaky pan is usually not difficult. Otherwise, your HVAC contractor can handle the job for you.
- Clogged drain line. Growth of mold or mildew inside the drip pan is a frequent origin of clogs inside the drain line, causing the pan to rapidly overflow and damage the area around the AC unit. Annual service by a qualified HVAC technician includes inspecting the drain pan for leaks, as well as cleaning mold and algae if necessary and adding biocide tablets to the pan to ensure the continuing free flow of condensate.
- Coil issues. In certain circumstances, condensate produced by the AC evaporator coil may turn to ice on coil surfaces. Each time the system cycles off, the expanding block of melting ice forms puddles on the surrounding floor. Coil icing may be the result of low airflow due to a clogged air filter. Low refrigerant charge — usually because of a leak — can make the evaporator coil too cold and spawn ice formation as well. A qualified HVAC technician can pinpoint the cause and make necessary repairs.
If you’ve discovered a dripping AC in your home, avoid more damage and contact the professionals at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.
Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning
1 (440) 246-5440
Serving the Lorain, OH Area