If an air conditioning system is leaking water, the first thing to consider is if the water is leaking from an outdoor unit (located on the building’s exterior) or from an indoor unit (located within the building’s interior). At this point, it should be noted that it is considered normal for outdoor units to produce some water depending upon the system mode and time of year.However, should the leak be coming from an indoor unit, or the pipework supplying an indoor unit, we would strongly advise switching your system off, following the steps outlined below, and contacting us to book a repair call.
WHAT TO DO IF AN AIR CONDITIONING UNIT IS LEAKING WATER?
It’s no great secret that water and electricity do not mix, and for this reason, upon discovery of an air conditioning unit leaking water it should be switched off safely, should there be provision to do so. Switching a unit off forces the refrigeration cycle to stop, reducing the risks of further leakage and water ingress into electrical components.
In addition, there may be a condensate pump present, especially where gravity drainage does not exist, to pump the water condensate from the catchment tray of the internal air conditioning unit to a suitably positioned drainage outlet. If this is the case, the mains power should be isolated to the condensate pump also, subject to if being fed separately from the main unit power supply previously mentioned.
The next step is to unplug and remove any electrical appliances in the vicinity of the leaky unit, but once again, only if it is safe to do so. Should water have ingressed into electrical wiring, sockets, switches, or appliances, they should not be touched unless safely isolated.
If after switching the system off, water continues to leak, a bucket or catchment tray should be placed under the source of the leak to catch any dripping water, using a clean mop or towels to soak up any excess, or pooling water.
Once an authorised or qualified person has completed the above steps, contact us to book a repair.
Finally, do not attempt to repair the unit yourself, as repairs should only be carried out by a qualified and accredited professional owing to a risk of electrocution or invalidation of any system warranty, should one exist.
WHAT CAUSES AIR CONDITIONING UNITS TO LEAK WATER?
There are a multitude of possible causes for an air conditioning unit to leak water, but most of the time, the issues result from neglected air conditioning servicing and maintenance, or system component failure. A list of common causes include:
- Dirty or damaged air filters.
- Blocked or faulty condensate pumps.
- Clogged condensate drains.
- Damaged or incorrectly installed drain pans.
- Damaged, blocked or faulty fan motor assemblies
- Incorrect refrigerant gas charge.
- Poor system installation
- Accidental electrical isolation of condensate pumps
DO I NEED TO HAVE A LEAKY AIR CONDITIONING UNIT REPAIRED?
If an air conditioning unit is leaking water, the chances are, the leak isn’t going to resolve itself and could potentially go on to cause costly damage to the fabric of the building, or its contents. With this in mind, contact us to book an engineer visit at the earliest convenience.