Aircon leaks occur for a variety of reasons and are often indicative of something more sinister than a simple dripping pipe. While the dripping water itself is usually not harmful, if left untreated leaks can cause mould growth, electrical hazards, or even structural damage. But with proper maintenance you can help reduce the chances of a costly and inconvenient future repair or harm to your property.
Table of Contents
9 Reasons Your Aircon Is Leaking
1. Your Air Filters Are Damaged/Dirty & Need Replacing
Air filters are there to prevent dirt, dust, hair or other foreign matter from getting into the aircon unit and causing damage. Over time, without proper maintenance they can get clogged with this material, which then restricts the flow of warm air over the evaporator coils. This drop in temperature causes the coils to freeze. When the aircon unit turns off and the ice melts, it creates more water than the drain pan can handle, resulting in a sudden leak.
2. Your AC Was Not Installed Properly
Many of the reasons an air conditioner leaks relates to poor maintenance or issues that take time to manifest, therefore impacting older aircon units.
However, when it comes to new air-conditioning systems, improper installation is the likely culprit.
A common reason for a leak in an improperly installed unit is that it’s not perfectly level, or if your unit is tilted inward rather than slightly outward. This results in gravity causing the water to drip from the front of the unit rather than into the drainage channels.
3. Your AC Refrigerant Levels Are Low
If your aircon system is low on refrigerant (gas), the pressure drops, which causes the evaporator coils to freeze over just like with a dirty filter.
Once again, when that ice melts a leak will appear. Keeping the refrigerant gas topped up by a qualified aircon servicing technician will prevent this from occurring.
4. You Have a Blocked Drain line
Air conditioners draw warmer, humid air in from outside and push it over freezing cold coils inside the unit. When the humid air passes over these coils the vapour turns into liquid or condensation. This water then drips into a pan and flows outside through a drainpipe. Over time, without regular cleaning this pipe can get blocked with dust, mould or algae, which causes the water to back up and overflow.
The good thing is, this is a simple fix which can be actioned by de-clogging the pipe. If you’re unable to or not confident, then get an expert to pay you a visit for pipe flushing.
5. Your Condensate Pump is Malfunctioning
When an air-conditioning unit doesn’t utilise gravity drainage to remove excess moisture, it may use a condensation pump instead. This is often the case in units installed below ground level, or on an internal wall without direct access to the outside.
Condensation pumps remove water from a holding tank inside the unit by pumping it up and out of a drainage pipe. If the condensation pump stops working properly, the holding tank may overflow and cause a leak. Reasons for the pump not working might include a blockage in the pipes, a stuck float switch or a burnt-out motor.
6. Your AC’s Coils Are Damaged or Dirty & Need Replacing
Damaged or dirty coils in an air-conditioner can lead to leaks due to the system not operating efficiently or ice building up on the coils.
Damage occurs primarily as a result of blockages of drainage pipes, dirty filters or the coils themselves accumulating debris. It can also happen due to impact during cleaning or installation, or from corrosion and rust, particularly for those living by the seaside.
The good thing is, keeping your aircon well maintained will likely prevent much of this from ever happening.
7. Your Drain Pan is Clogged or Damaged
The drain pan, also called a drip pan, sits beneath the evaporator coils. It catches the condensation as it drips down from the outside of the coils. If your aircon unit is older, the pan may have rusted through or developed cracks, allowing water to leak directly through the bottom. Alternatively, if the outlet to the pipe through which the drip pan drains becomes clogged, the pan will overflow.
If you have a cracked or rusted pan it must be repaired or replaced by a professional technician. However, a blockage might be fixable by carefully cleaning it.
8. High Humidity
In areas where the humidity levels are very high like in Singapore, older air conditioners can struggle to remove moisture efficiently, which results in the drainage being overwhelmed.
To reduce the likelihood of this occurring, make sure the aircon unit is large enough for the space it is cooling, and during periods of particularly high humidity, use a dehumidifier in conjunction with the aircon.
9. Disconnected or Poorly Installed Drain Line
The drain line is the pipe that goes from the drip pan of an indoor unit to the outside and into a gutter or even a garden. In time, the connection may wear away, corrode or become detached due to an impact during cleaning or servicing. In some cases, the connection may have been poorly done in the first place and installed at the wrong angle, causing moisture to flow back into the unit.
Final Thoughts – Preventative AC Maintenance is Key
When it comes to air conditioners – prevention is always cheaper than a cure. If your AC is leaking water, then that’s a symptom not a reason. Keeping up to date with AC maintenance is the most effective way to prevent untimely and costly aircon outages.
Depending on your climate and your AC usage, you should aim to have your aircon serviced every 3-12months. Three months may seem pedantic, however, for ACs in high-humidity environments – like Singapore – your AC is working significantly longer (and harder) than an AC which receives sporadic/irregular use.
