Causes of Water Leakage From The Outdoor AC Unit

You may notice the exterior unit leaking water on a hot Northern California summer day. A little puddle of water around the outdoor air conditioning unit is not something you need to worry about. It is normal to notice small water puddles under the outdoor unit from time to time. The condensation is generally because of hot and humid weather. The system needs to work hard which causes condensation.

These are a few reasons of water leakage from the outdoor unit:

1. Drain Line is Blocked or Clogged

The main purpose of the drain line is to drain away the liquid that is naturally formed as part of the cooling process. This liquid is also known as condensate. The line may get blocked by substances, such as algae, dirt, rust, and mold. This can cause leakage in the drain line.

You may be able to clear some part of the blockage by using a thin wooden skewer. You can also try to clean the drain line with a chemical solution comprising of chlorine bleach. However, you should have a professional take care of the clog if you are not absolutely sure of what you are doing.

2. Dirty Air Filter

Air filters are one of the more important components in an air conditioner. They are responsible for ensuring that the conditioned air in your space is free from particulate manner. Clogged or dirty air filters are usually at the root of most air conditioner troubles. There will be restricted air circulation if the filter is clogged whether it is summer or winter.

This is a simple DIY solution. You should have the air filter checked every 30 days for excessive debris and dirt. You should also replace the filter every three months. Make sure you change the air filter before you switch on the HVAC at the start of summer.

3. Condensate Pan is Damaged

Air conditioning condensate is caught in a drain pain. This may form cracks or rust. Often the cracks in the condensate pan are minuscule and not easily visible by the naked eye. You can always use a flashlight to check the drain pan. This will provide you with better visibility. You can have minor cracks repaired easily. You should consider replacing the pan if it is badly damaged.

4. Too Cold

It is too cold to turn on your cooling system when the outdoor temperatures dip below 16°C. Your HVAC system will probably freeze up. The drain pan could overflow as a result. This may cause water puddles or leakage around the outdoor unit. You may want to check whether the thermostat is correctly working in this case. You should also position the thermostat away from any potential heat sources. Otherwise, your thermostat may have an overly high temperature reading.

5. Refrigerant Levels are Low

Liquid refrigerant in an air conditioner is similar to blood in veins. It is a particularly essential component in an air conditioner. The refrigerant absorbs heat from your house. A cooling system may occasionally leak refrigerant. This can be because of cracks or holes in the refrigerant line. Lowered refrigerant levels causes pressure to drop. It may also result in the icing of the evaporator coil. You would need to call an expert for having this fixed.