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AC Services: Why Is My AC System Unit Leaking Water?

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Nothing is more frustrating than coming home from a long work day only to find a puddle of water on your floor. It's even more devastating if the pool of water is right under your AC equipment because this is an obvious indication of AC system damage. And while it might be tempting to check the inside of the unit, it's best to contact AC services with your observation and let them address the root of the problem. But why is your AC system unit leaking water, and how can your AC technician stop it? Here are three possible reasons.

1. A Clogged Condensate Drain  

One of the primary functions of your air conditioner is to remove moisture from the air in your home. During this process, the evaporator coils in your AC unit get cold and cause the water vapor in the air to condense and collect on them. This condensation drips into a pan and is drained through a hose.

However, if this hose becomes clogged, the water will have nowhere to go and will begin to leak out of your AC unit. To fix this problem, your AC technician will need to locate the end of the hose and clear any debris that may be blocking it.

2. The Evaporator Coil is Frozen 

Another plausible explanation for your AC unit leaking water is frozen evaporator coils. This usually happens when there isn't enough airflow over the coils, which causes them to ice over. The accumulation of ice then prevents the coils from properly absorbing heat, which reduces the efficiency of your AC unit and causes it to work harder than normal.

This extra strain on your unit can cause it to overheat and shut off completely, leaving you with a puddle of water around your AC unit. To prevent this from happening, your AC services will ensure that nothing is blocking the airflow to your unit and that the filters are clean.

3. Broken Condensate Pump

In order to understand why your AC system unit is leaking water, it is first necessary to understand how the unit works. The AC system has a condenser, which contains a refrigerant. When the refrigerant evaporates, it absorbs heat from the air around it. This process causes the air inside the unit to become cool and humid.

The condensate pump is responsible for removing the humidity from the air and disposing of it outside of the unit. If the pump is not working properly, the humidity will build up inside the unit and eventually start to leak out.

Water leaks are one of the most common problems homeowners face with their air conditioners. Fortunately, AC services can easily fix the underlying issue with some simple troubleshooting techniques. 

For more information, contact a company like Bremer & Bouman Heating and Cooling.


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