Why is my air conditioner leaking? This is a very good question to ask if you notice water pooling or dripping from your air conditioner. One of the main jobs of your air conditioner is to remove the humidity from your home. The A/C dehumidifies your home by removing moisture from the air. This moisture is then collected. Some is used to cool the condenser coils and some is drained from the back of the A/C Unit. Normal draining from the back is necessary. You will often notice this on window A/C units. When the water doesn’t drain properly or leaks from the wrong areas, you have a problem that needs addressed. Here are the main reasons why air conditioners leak:

1. The Condenser Pump – This is the worst case. If your condenser needs replaced or isn’t getting power, the condenser pump won’t work properly.
2. The Unit is Installed Improperly – If your unit isn’t level, you may experience water pooling. Sometimes pressure will cause the unit to leak around the valves. This often happens when some of the vents in the house are closed. Note: If you have a window A/C unit, it needs to angle down in the back about 1 inch. If it is installed wrong, you will experience water leaking at the front of the unit instead of the back.
3. Drains Blocked – Either the drain in the bottom of the rear basin is clogged causing the water to back up or the internal passageway is blocked that allows the water to drain.

3. Warm Air is getting into the unit – if warm air is seeping into the air conditioning unit, you may need to reseal the unit. The warm air will cause condensation. This may be the answer to “Why is my air conditioner leaking?”
4. Outside Temperatures Are Too Cold– when the nighttime temperatures start to get cooler, your air conditioner will often experience leaking. The condenser coils may also ice up. If you notice a lot of water dripping in the morning, this could be the problem. Try running your unit on fan only at night or turn it off all together.

Why is My Air Conditioner Leaking?

If you are asking, “why is my air conditioner leaking?” chances are you need to have your unit serviced. An air conditioner that is leaking isn’t running as efficiently as it could. You are probably spending more to cool your house and you are not as comfortable as you could be. If you have questions about why air conditioners leak or need to request A/C maintenance, we would be happy to help. Call ADA Heating and Air today!