The first part of the reasons why water leaks from the air conditioner can be read in our last article.
In this article, we will discuss the most common malfunctions when the indoor unit in a split system is leaking
If your conditioner is not new, it is already working properly, but suddenly it has started to have water dripping into the room – probably there is a breakage. The information below will help you to determine what exactly.
1. There is a clog in the drainage system of the air conditioner.
The water cannot escape from the drain pan and as the pan fills up, water is running over the edge into the room. Clogging can be caused by dirt or slime buildup in the drain tube due to microorganisms. If the drain is outdoors, insects often clog the tube. For example, wasps or bees.
2. Clogged filters in the air conditioner’s indoor unit
If filters are heavily clogged with dust, split-system can suck air from the drainage system. A draft from the street is created, which prevents water from flowing down the drainage duct properly.
3. Drainage pump (pump) fails.
When organizing long routes or with differences in height a drain pump is installed, which pumps water out of the tank for condensate. If the pump fails, water will accumulate in the tray, overflow over the edge and go into the room.
Malfunctions of split systems, when the internal block is leaking because of frost penetration
Quite often the cause of the air conditioner indoor unit leakage is the frosting of the evaporator. It is covered with a “snow coat”, which melts and the split system is leaking. Visually the freezing, as a rule, is not noticeable, it is possible to see it only having removed the upper cover of the block body (usually it is enough to pull it up). The following problems can lead to frosting and leakage.
1.Coarse and fine filters, evaporator, fan in indoor unit clogged
An accumulation of dust and dirt affects the heat transfer from the evaporator. As a consequence, it gets caught in a snow “coat”. As it melts, water drips past the condensate pan or does not have time to go to the drain and pours over the edge. If the drops get on the fan, it feels as if the split system is “splashing” with water.
2. Lack of refrigerant in the system due to leakage or natural evaporation
Low pressure causes low condensing temperature. This causes an ice bridge to form on the evaporator.
With natural leakage, the air conditioner is simply topped up with Freon.
1. Failure of indoor unit fan
Most likely, the fan is spinning at a low speed, which disrupts heat transfer. As a result, the evaporator is covered with ice, which, as it melts, drips past the drain pan or, not having time to drain into the drain, runs over the edge.
2. If the capillary tube is clogged, freon circulation is impaired and some of it boils over before it reaches the evaporator. This results in reduced cooling capacity. The system tries to compensate for the lack of cold by continuous operation. As a consequence, the evaporator is covered with frost. As it melts, it drips into the room.
Evaporator temperature sensor malfunction (not all A/C units have one)
This sensor disables cooling when the evaporator temperature is too low.
4. Control module failure
Malfunction of the main board results in a low dew point on the evaporator. This causes ice to form on the evaporator. As it melts, it leaks into the room.
Why does the water drip after washing the air conditioner?
It is not uncommon for air conditioners to start leaking after cleaning the indoor unit yourself. In this case, the reason lies in improper assembly. For example, if the drainage tray was installed incorrectly. Also, the internal block could be displaced: if it is not level, the water can drop from the evaporator to the room by the tub or can pour out of it. And if the outdoor unit on the air conditioner leaks, what is the cause. Sometimes air conditioner owners notice water leaking from the outside unit. This is almost always normal. The outside unit can leak if:
1. The air conditioner is in heating mode. In this mode, condensation forms in the outdoor unit and flows out of a special hole on the bottom of the unit. Sometimes a drain hose is inserted into the hole. If it is there, but leaks from the unit itself – probably the drain is just clogged and you need to clean it.
2. The air conditioner works for a long time. Condensation can form on the freon conduit tubing taps and some other parts if it runs for a long time on cooling. As a result, you will see water dripping from the outdoor unit.
It’s not normal for the freon lines on the outdoor unit to be severely iced over.
Leaking from your air conditioner is a sure signal to call a service center. Don’t wait until your expensive equipment fails completely. Call SDAC Heating & Air Conditioning or call a technician online.
Specialists work weekends and holidays, from morning until late at night. We’ll come at your convenience and repair your SDAC Heating & Air Conditioning with a warranty. Contact us!
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