A dripping AC can mean more than a housekeeping nuisance. Your indoor air conditioner’s evaporator coil cools air but also dries the air by extracting water vapor — lots of it. On a hot, humid summer day, the dehumidifying process can generate up to 25 gallons of liquid condensate. If everything goes as planned, all that water flows away into the household drain system without incident. If something goes wrong, however, a dripping AC may be the result.
Water spillage from a central air conditioner is usually a sign of a malfunction, minor or major. Here are several examples of what might go wrong, leading to a dripping AC:
- Cracked drip pan. Many AC drip pans are plastic and, over time, become brittle and prone to crack and leak water. Depending on the model of the unit, drip pan replacement may be a simple DIY project. Otherwise, your HVAC contractor can handle it for you.
- Clogged drainage. The drip pan located below the indoor air handler catches water dripping from the AC evaporator coil, then diverts it into a pipe connected to the home’s drain system. However, the warm, wet environment inside the drip pan may promote algae or mold growth that clogs the drain line, triggering overflows. Annual inspection and cleaning by a qualified HVAC technician — including the use of biocide tablets to prevent organic growth in the drip pan — helps prevent overflows and resultant water damage.
- Coil icing. The indoor AC evaporator coil is supposed to be wet and cold but not freezing. If the coil temperature drops too low, ice formation on the coil often extends beyond the drip pan. As the ice melts, water dripping forms puddles on the floor next to the unit. Coil icing may result from insufficient airflow due to a dirty, clogged system air filter. Check the air filter monthly and replace it with a new filter at least every other month. Other causes of coil icing — such as low refrigerant charge in the system — require professional service to diagnose and repair.
To resolve issues that result in a dripping AC this summer, contact the HVAC experts at Ace Hardware Home Services.
