What Causes an Air Conditioner to Leak Water

There are many reasons your A/C may be leaking water. To avoid damage to your property and help keep your system running efficiently, it’s important to determine what causes an air conditioner to leak water.

• Broken pump
  You can test for a broken condenser pump by pouring water into the condenser pan to see if it properly pumps out the excess. If it does not, check the power to the pump. If the power is good, have a professional come out and determine if it’s the motor or condenser itself.
• Improper installation
  If your system is not properly installed, water can pool. This can result from a system that is not level or has too much pressure. First, see if the unit is level. If it’s not, look for any closed vents in your home. Added pressure from closed vents can sometimes cause valves to leak.
• Blocked drain hole
  Drain holes often get blocked with dirt and debris. Check tubing for these obstructions, and clear any blockages you see to allow water to properly exit the condenser pan. If this doesn’t correct the issue, look for other causes.
• Cold weather 
  When outside temperatures drop, you can end up with extra water buildup. This causes more water to build around your system and you get pooling as the water fails to evaporate. As long as it’s a small amount of water you should be able to wait for the weather to warm up and the situation should resolve itself.
• Air leaks 
  In determining what causes an air conditioner to leak water, check the seals. If seals aren’t tight, excess warm air gets into the unit and causes moisture to condense when it meets the cold air in your A/C. Moisture will pool below your system as a result. The outside of the unit will need to be resealed and properly closed.

If you still cannot determine what causes an air conditioner to leak water in your home, contact All Temp Air Conditioning & Heating. All Temp’s professional, NATE certified technicians have been serving Charlotte and surrounding communities for over 30 years.