Even though a typical central air conditioner extracts as much as 20 gallons of water during a hot summer day, a dripping AC should not be an issue. Drier air cools faster and feels more comfortable than humid air. Therefore, condensing water vapor out of the indoor airflow is one of the essential functions of air conditioning. However, if water produced by the AC components is leaking or overflowing, something’s gone wrong somewhere. Read on to learn about some possible issues that may result in a dripping AC during hot summer weather.
Clogged Drip Pan
Located under the central AC’s indoor air handler, the drip pan collects condensation that forms as the warm, humid indoor air contacts the cold evaporator coil. The drip pan diverts this water into a pipe that’s connected to the home’s drain system. Any blockage in the drip pan or drain line — algae or mold growth are frequent causes — may trigger dripping and, eventually, an overflow. Regular scheduled maintenance twice a year by a qualified HVAC technician includes inspecting and cleaning the evaporator coil and the AC drip pan to remove any obstructions as well as to prevent algae and mold growth.
Coil Icing
Due to certain system malfunctions, the frigid evaporator coil in the indoor air handler may accumulate ice on coil surfaces. Each time the air conditioner cycles off, melting ice from the coil may drip outside the condensate pan below, causing puddles to form around the air handler. Insufficient airflow through the coil is a frequent cause of coil icing, usually due to a dirty or clogged system air filter. Coil icing may also result from a low refrigerant charge in the air conditioner due to a leak.
Defective Condensate Pump
In some installations, water drains from the condensate drip pan not because of gravity flow but because it’s moved into the household drain by an electric pump. If the pump is clogged or the motor is defective, the condensate drip pan will rapidly overflow, causing a dripping AC. Testing and replacement of the pump is required to restore adequate flow.
For all you home or business cooling needs, contact the HVAC professionals at Jackson & Sons.
