Why is My HVAC System Leaking?

It’s a very common problem, especially during the summer in Jacksonville and the rest of Florida. Your air conditioner seems to be working fine, but water is leaking out of it. What could be causing this?

The first thing for you to do is to make sure you turn your air conditioner off. If you don’t, then you could be causing further damage that may render your air conditioner inoperable, leading to an expensive repair or the purchase of a new unit.

How does water get inside my air conditioning unit in the first place?

Water forms in your AC unit when warm air passes over your evaporator coil to cool it. Moisture is also drawn out of the air and condenses on the coil. This moisture drips into a drain pan and is drawn out of your home.

There are a few ways though, in which your air conditioning unit will begin to leak.

Your condensate drain line may be blocked

If the line that draws water away from your AC unit becomes blocked, then obviously the water has nowhere to go. Dust, dirt, and debris can all find a way into the drain line, creating a clog.

This is the most common reason why AC units leak. This is a simple fix – just hire a professional air conditioning service provider to unclog the blockage.

Your condensate pump is not working

If your AC unit is installed in your basement, you may not notice that the pump has ceased to function. If there is no pumping action, then your unit cannot remove the water from your system. The water ends up leaking out of the unit.

This is another simple fix, as you will need to get your pump repaired or replaced.

Your air filter needs cleaning

If your filter is full of debris, then not enough air is flowing over the evaporator coil. This means that your coil will become too cold, and can freeze. When the coil warms up, it will deliver more water than the unit can handle, leading to a leak.

Air filters are easy to clean and even easier to replace. You should replace your filter at least once every three months, or once a month if the weather is especially warm.

Reach Out to Ideal Conditions in Jacksonville to Have a Free HVAC System Assessment

For the best in residential air conditioning, electrical, plumbing, roofing, and general contracting services in Jacksonville and surrounding areas please contact us here at Ideal Conditions. We can be reached by phone at 904-378-8762, or you can use the online contact form that’s available on our website.