One of the most common HVAC repairs homeowners report is a dripping AC. This can be in the form of actual water pooling on the floor or, if the AC is located in an attic or on an upper floor, as water dripping onto the ceiling and leaving a stain. Other issues with excessive moisture might involve internal dripping that, while perhaps not seen as puddles or ponding, appears when you open the cabinet and you hear telltale dripping and the smell of dank moisture is apparent. This excessive dripping and moisture can have several causes. Let’s look at a few of the most common causes of a dripping AC.
Why a Dripping AC Leaks Water
Besides controlling the temperature, the air conditioner also controls moisture levels in your home. Part of the cooling process is to remove moisture from the air by means of condensing it on the indoor coils. From there, it is routed through the condensate drain and into a pan. Sometimes this drain or pan will get clogged due to dirt and sludge forming a plug in the line or in the pan. The pan may also develop holes that allow the moisture to leak.
The condensate drain line can become disconnected so that the moisture that is being removed as condensation does not drain properly.
Another common reason for moisture to leak is that the filter is dirty. A dirty filter impedes airflow. When air flow slows, the coils may not be able to remove moisture effectively, and once again, the unit will overflow.
Dirty evaporator coils may impede the removal of condensation, and again, cause excessive moisture inside the unit. Too much moisture may result in damp, dank conditions, including mold and mildew.
Frozen evaporator coils can prevent your unit from cooling properly. This can happen for a number of reasons, but one typical cause is low refrigerant. It’s possible your refrigerant is leaking. The leak should be fixed before refrigerant is added.
For more on what to do about a dripping AC, contact Ace Hardware Home Services. We serve Dayton and the surrounding area.
