Contact an aircon specialist asap to address leaks in your air conditioning unit.
Summertime in Australia can get nightmarishly hot, which is why you must ensure that your air conditioner is in top condition. Checking it for water leaks is one way to ensure that you do not have to worry about it malfunctioning in the middle of a hot summer day. If you notice that your air conditioner is leaking water, have an expert look at it as soon as possible.
How can you tell that your aircon is leaking water?
Water leaks can be too obvious. Here are some signs that your air conditioner is leaking water:
- Water spots on the ceiling or near the aircon unit
- Stagnant water near the unit
- Damaged plaster on the ceiling
- Mouldy or musty smell in your home
What are the most common reasons your air conditioner is leaking water?
Water leaks in air conditioners can be caused by various things. Here are the most common reasons:
The air filters are dirty
The filter on your air conditioner traps grease, dust, smoke, and other contaminants. Unfortunately, over time, the filter accumulates enough dirt and gets clogged. This prevents the internal components from working properly by restricting the airflow, which causes water to leak from your air conditioner.
Make sure to clean the filter regularly. Depending on the season and usage, cleaning every one to three months is advised. Make it a habit to check the filter (as well as the entire unit) at the beginning of each month so that you do not forget it. This will not only prevent your air conditioner from leaking, but it will also increase its lifespan.
The drain is clogged
Sometimes, dirt, dust, insects, slime, and other debris are trapped in the air conditioner drain. This will clog the drain, which can then cause the aircon to leak water and malfunction.
Using a wet/dry vacuum cleaner generally removes anything that is clogging the drain, thus, allowing water to drain away properly. However, if this method does not work, you need to call the experts. They have special tools to remove the blockage and free up the air conditioner drain.
The drain pan may be rusted or damaged
If you have an older air conditioner unit, check that the drain pan is not rusted or damaged. This can be the reason that water is falling right through and out of your aircon’s indoor unit. You can fix this by replacing the pan. However, if your air conditioner is over 12 years old, it may be better to replace it with a new system. This way, you can avoid other problems that can occur shortly, as other parts may have started to deteriorate as well. Installing a new air conditioner unit can also help you to save on electricity bills, especially if you buy an inverter style.
Your air conditioner has low refrigerant
Low refrigerant will lower the pressure in the air conditioner, which could freeze the evaporator coil. When it melts, water overflows the drain pan, causing a leak. If you see ice on the evaporator coil, turn off the air conditioner immediately or it will damage the compressor. Fixing a damaged compressor is expensive. You may even need to replace the entire unit if the damage is severe.
You will know that your air conditioner is low on refrigerant when:
- It is not cooling well
- You hear a bubbling or hissing noise (which indicates a refrigerant leak)
The condensate pump might be broken.
If your air conditioner is installed in a basement, it should have a condensate pump that pumps water outside. If this pump is broken, it can no longer get rid of water. Therefore, it is important to have an expert technician repair or replace this part as soon as you notice it to prevent water damage to your home.
You will not have to worry about condensate pumps if your air conditioner is installed on an external wall, and the outdoor unit is the same height or even lower. This means that your unit has a gravity-driven drain line to carry condensate outside.
The aircon vent is leaking air
One of the reasons that water is dripping from your air conditioner is that there is an air leak from the vent. As this is a relatively common problem, it is easy to diagnose and fix it.
First, check the unit carefully to see if the air is coming from anywhere other than the grilles. If that is the case, you can seal the leaks using your choice of sealant. If you are not that confident or convinced that this will solve the problem, call an expert to have a look at your air conditioner.
Improper installation
Many causes of water leakage are related to improper installation. To prevent this, check that the front part of the air conditioner is cooler than the rear part as soon as it is installed. This means that the unit is installed with a proper inclination. This will ensure that the water will drain properly and will not leak.
Poor maintenance
Like any other home appliance, your air conditioner also needs regular maintenance. Make sure also to clean it as many times as you can. You also need to check that the evaporator coil is working properly and has not started to rust. If you keep a regular maintenance routine, you can prevent water leaks from happening more often. An experienced air conditioner technician can help maintain your unit in top condition.
Let Hogan Hot Water take care of your air conditioner problem
When it comes to air conditioners, we are quite the experts. Hogan Hot Water & Air Conditioning has been in the business for more than 20 years, helping clients in Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, and Central Coast.
Whether you want your air conditioner repaired, serviced, or replaced, you can count on us to get the job done. We can also install a completely new unit for you. Call us at 0488 029 618 today to learn more.