Why is my Ducted Air Condiitoning Leaking Water?

7 Reasons Why Your Ducted Air Conditioning is Leaking Water

Have you ever wondered why your aircon is dripping water? The de-humidification process in ducted air conditioning systems will naturally create condensation. It is important to diagnose why your system is leaking so the problem can be repaired and prevented from further occurrence. The following points may help clear some of the suspicions about water leaking from your ducted air conditioning on the Sunshine Coast.

Reasons Why Your Air Conditioning Unit is Leaking Water

Humid Weather

The Sunshine Coast and its surrounding suburbs are well known for the hot, humid weather. Hence the reason most consumers choose to install air conditioning, to escape the muggy atmosphere. This weather will increase the rate of condensation because ducted air conditioning is designed to remove moisture/humidity from the air. Using Dry Mode will NOT help this situation. Run the air conditioner on COOL mode at 23-24 degrees with the fan setting on HIGH.

Little or No Insulation

Insulation is the key to preventing air conditioning leaks from occurring. If the insulation has torn away or there is no insulation then the condensate from the pipes that run through the roof will drip directly onto the ceiling. If there is no insulation on the ceiling (in the roof cavity) than the watermarks will affect the ceiling. This is one of the most common causes for water leaks.

Dirty Air Filter

This is located in the ‘return air grille’. If the filter is clogged or dirty, the airflow to the evaporator coil will be blocked or restricted causing the temperature to drop. If the evaporator coil gets too cold it freezes over and ices up. When the AC is off, the indoor unit will stop trying to draw air causing the unit to warm up and therefore melting the ice. This drips an excess amount of water into the drip tray. This is why it is essential that your filters are cleaned every month and the whole system serviced annually.

Low Refrigerant

Just like a dirty air filter, when the refrigerant levels are low, the pressure in the AC system will be lower subsequently causing the evaporator coil to freeze over. When the coil melts, the water overflows into the drip tray. Signs that will show that refrigerant levels are low include:

• The air conditioner isn’t cooling well
• A hissing or bubbling noise will occur, indicating a refrigerant leak in the piping

Refrigerant leaks can take hours to locate. Depending on the severity of the refrigerant leak, it will have to be repaired or the whole system replaced.

Blocked Drains

Attached to the indoor unit drain is a drain pipe which runs into the roof gutter. If either the drain pipe or gutter is blocked and the water can’t run through, it will build up inside the unit. A safety drip tray is installed under the indoor unit to catch excess/overflow from the unit. If this hasn’t been cleaned for a while it could potentially leak elsewhere.

Disconnected Drain Line

This refers to the joint between the indoor unit and the drain line that runs into an external gutter. This is usually joined together by PVC and can wear away after a long period of time.

Damaged or Rusted Drain Pan

Drain pans are made of quality customised sheet metal to suit the size and brand of unit. These are very durable however over a long period of time these can start to deteriorate. If a hole has rusted or a crack formed in the tray, the water will leak out.

The first five reasons are more likely to be the culprit for your leaking air conditioning. However in an unlikely event where it’s none of the first five reasons, check reason 6. and 7. to see if this is where the issue lies.

The Consequences of a Leaking Air Conditioning Unit

If your air conditioning is leaking water, it will start to show in one form or another. These include:

• Stain marks on the ceiling
• Damaged/broken plaster on the ceiling including plaster caving in
• Bubbled paint on the ceiling
• Pools of water

Ways to Prevent Your Air Conditioning From Leaking

1. Have Quality insulation. This is the key to preventing AC leaks. It should be installed on all equipment and also to line the roof cavity for maximum protection.
2. Regularly clean your filter. We recommend doing it once every month. Not sure how to clean your filter?
3. Turn your air conditioning on at the right time of day.
4. Quality equipment. The use of strong and durable equipment will prevent deterioration and being damaged easily.
5. Annual Maintenance Check. Have a qualified technician service the system annually including: checking and cleaning the drains and ensure they are not blocked, overflowing or damaged. Checking refrigerant levels to ensure the system has enough gas to continue running at the highest efficiency, clean the filter and replace if necessary