It is normal for air conditioners to produce water as they operate. An AC unit works by cooling hot air to an appropriate temperature before blowing it around the house. When hot, humid air cools, it is no longer able to carry as much water vapour, which changes into droplets via a process called condensation.
The air conditioner is equipped with a system that carries the excess water out of the house. If your AC is leaking, it means there is a problem in the system that may require air conditioning services in Kitchener to correct. Here are some common reasons why air conditioners start leaking.
1. Low Refrigerant
Refrigerant is a liquid chemical contained in the evaporator coil of the air conditioner. When hot air passes over the evaporator coil, the refrigerant absorbs the heat, cooling the air. If the refrigerant level is low, you may find that the air conditioner isn’t blowing cool air. The evaporator coil can also freeze due to the decrease of pressure inside the system. If this happens, the AC can start leaking as the ice melts. It may be possible for the damage to be repaired if the problem is caught in time. Otherwise, the air conditioner may have to be replaced.
2. Dirty Air Filter
Water that condenses inside your air conditioner is supposed to be caught by a drain pan. This connects to a condensate drain line that allows the water to flow outside. The drain pan may overflow if the evaporator coil freezes. In addition to low refrigerant, another potential cause of evaporator coil freeze is a dirty air filter that does not allow the air to reach the evaporator coil. Blocking the flow of air prevents the refrigerant from absorbing heat from the air.
A dirty air filter can cause other problems within an HVAC system as well. It can cause parts to wear out more quickly by forcing the system to work harder than it was designed to do. HVAC filters are either disposable or reusable. In either case, each one should come with instructions describing how often it needs to be replaced or cleaned. Many require attention every three months, but some can go longer than that.
3. Clogged Drain Line
The condensate line is supposed to carry the water that collects in the drain pan outside the home where it cannot do any harm. However, if something clogs up the drain line, the water has no place to go except to back up and get into your house. The condensate drain line is susceptible to mould growth and the collection of dust or dirt.
If the problem is a clogged drain line, you may not need to call residential air conditioning services right away. It may be possible to use a wet-dry vacuum cleaner to remove whatever debris is clogging up the drain line. If that doesn’t work, you definitely need to call air conditioning services in Kitchener, and even if it does, you may still want to consult the professionals about what caused the clog in the first place and what should be done to prevent the same problem from recurring later.
4. Rusted Drain Pan
Over time, metal components are susceptible to oxidation and corrosion from exposure to water. Holes can form in a rusted drain pan, preventing it from doing its job effectively. The older your air conditioner is, the more likely it is that the drain pan has rusted or otherwise become damaged. Replacing the drain pan may be adequate to resolve the problem.
Air Conditioning Services in Kitchener From CJ Brubacher
We understand how uncomfortable summers in Ontario can be when it is hot and humid. We are available 24/7 to answer repair calls about your residential or commercial air conditioning as soon as the problem arises. Find out more about how we have been providing quality workmanship to customers in and around Kitchener since 1923 and what we can do for your air conditioner.