Under your outside air conditioning unit, water puddling may prompt your first reaction to reach for the phone and dial a contractor’s number for assistance. Fortunately, water leaks from your air conditioning machine are somewhat common. However, there are several situations in which a leaking air conditioner could be a source of concern and necessitate the dispatch of a service technician. We’ll assist you in determining what is typical and what is not when it comes to water leaking from your unit.
What’s a Normal Amount of Water to Leak from My Air Conditioner?
There are two leading causes for water (in this example, condensation) to leak from your air conditioner. The first is that your air conditioner is faulty. One element to consider is the temperature set on your thermostat. The second factor is the temperature of the surrounding environment. Unless you reside in a scorching and humid region such as Singapore, it is typical to observe condensation gathering around your condenser unit because it is working hard to cool your home—especially if you have your thermostat set lower than usual or if it is a scorching day.
When Does Too Much AC Water Leakage Become an Issue?
As a rule of thumb, your air conditioner should only leak moisture when operating at total capacity. If a puddle of condensation forms under your compressor on a hot day, it should evaporate quickly. If you observe that the unit has been leaking for a whole day or more, or if you notice that the puddle of water is continually growing in size, it is generally a good idea to contact Conditioned Air to have your AC unit inspected for faults.
Common causes of leaking and dripping Aircon
Leaking and dripping from an air conditioning unit can be caused by a variety of factors. A number of potential perpetrators are listed below.
- Air leak
One of the most common causes of an air conditioner leaking and dripping water is an air leak, which can occur for various reasons. A vent should be used to ensure that all air conditioning units operate at peak performance. There are a variety of reasons why air can leak. As a result, air does not move through the vent as efficiently as it could. Air is likely leaking out of the system, resulting in less-than-optimal performance.
Checking the equipment to verify whether there is any air leakage via the grates around the vent will confirm whether or not you have an air leak. To determine whether or not you have an air leak, you should perform basic troubleshooting. As soon as you discover an air leak, you must act quickly and decisively to rectify the situation and prevent further leaks from occurring.
- Blocked aircon filter
The presence of a water leak or drip from an air conditioner is yet another prevalent problem. Air passage through the system is inhibited when the air filter becomes clogged, causing it to malfunction. Once the air conditioner is turned off or the appropriate air temperature is attained, the ice formed on the filter will begin to melt, resulting in the freezing of the air. Eventually, the water manages to find its way out, and the air conditioner starts to malfunction.
- Dirty aircon filter
Air passage to the evaporator becomes hindered if the air filter is clogged or unclean. As a result, the temperature of the air falls. Coil freezing occurs when it becomes too cold. Whenever the air conditioning is switched off, the inside unit will cease to draw fresh, cool air into the interior, causing the interior to warm and the ice to melt. If the melting ice exceeds the capacity of the drip tray, it will cause the water to spill out of the drain hole.
- Broken pump
In addition to the cooling coil, the condensation pump is also present. The purpose of the pump is to completely drain off the water to prevent leaking. Because of the buildup of dust and filth on the pump, water will drop if the pump is broken or malfunctioning. This will serve as a clear indication that the pump is not functioning correctly.
- Aircon condenser coil is leaking
In the case of an air conditioning unit, the condenser unit is located outside of your residence. The condenser coil, a compressor, and a blower motor are all included in the device. Because the unit is positioned outside, it is more prone to acquire debris and grime, which might cause a clog in the drain system. There are numerous homes and air conditioning owners in Singapore who have faced this problem.
- The drain line has become clogged.
Your air conditioning unit will become inoperable if there is a clog in the drain pipe. This condition occurs due to an excessive buildup of waste, mold, and some species of fungi in the environment. These substances may build up in the drain and cause a pause in water flow out of the air conditioner. Increased in-water stock and leakage are possible consequences of this situation.
According to statistical estimations, the inflow of water into air conditioning systems in Singapore is lower than the national average due to the tropical character of the country’s weather. Water flow is reduced or completely stopped when the drain line becomes clogged. Consequently, water may be dripping from your air conditioner’s coils.
- Improper Installation
Water leaking could be caused by several factors, one of which is improper installation of the air conditioning system. Check that the front part of the air conditioning unit is cooler than the back section when you have it installed. By doing so, you can ensure that the water is adequately drained and that there will be no leakages.
In many cases, the leakage is caused by faulty installation, which is common. Installing your air conditioning system with the right inclination to prevent leaks will help prevent this. An incorrect tilt of the unit may result in the device failing to drain water correctly.
- Poor maintenance
Your air conditioning system, like any other household item, requires regular and thorough maintenance. It is essential to clean the unit as often as possible thoroughly. Consider enlisting the assistance of a trained professional if necessary. If the evaporator coil is not functioning correctly, you should inspect it to ensure it is not rusted or at risk of rusting. Unless you maintain your air conditioner regularly, you may find yourself dealing with leaky air conditioning more frequently.
- Rusting of the Drain pan
When iron is involved, rusting occurs due to the action of water and air on the metal (oxygen). Rusty metal is used in the construction of the drain pan. When rust builds up for an extended period in the drain pan, it is likely to clog the unit, preventing water from flowing outside. This finally results in spilling and the leaking of air conditioning system components.
- The air conditioning coil has been iced up.
This component is located within the air conditioning unit’s interior. The presence of a coil within your air conditioner when you open the door indicates that the melting process is taking longer than usual, resulting in water spilling over the drain pan when you close the door.
A dirty air filter is one of the most common causes of a frozen air conditioner. In theory, the filter should prevent air from passing over the coil. When the filter becomes blocked with debris, the heated current cannot travel through, and the temperature begins to decline. As a result of the freezing, ice accumulates on the surfaces of the water.
- The weather is too cold outside.
You may experience freezing air conditioning if the outside temperature is freezing. When the temperature drops below 60 degrees Fahrenheit during the night, this occurs more frequently because the cooling coil is impacted more negatively.
- Clogged condensation line
To prevent frozen pipes from bursting, an air conditioner draws in humid and warm air from inside. Because it is filled with cold refrigerant, the coils are colder than the surrounding air. Upon contact with the cold coil, the vapor of moisture present in the air condenses and turns into liquid water. An air conditioning drip occurs unless the water is appropriately collected and discharged from the unit.
A drain line allows water to flow into the air conditioner and accumulate there. This prevents water from dripping onto the ground outside due to a drain pipe. You should be concerned if you see that the drip pan is full or overflowing. It is also critical to get professional assistance as soon as possible if the region has already begun to erode.
