Why My Air Conditioner Blowing Out Water? Has your air conditioner recently started blowing out water while it runs? If so, you’re not alone.
Many home AC units experience this issue from time to time, usually due to normal operation or a minor problem that’s easy to address.
Keep reading to learn more about why your air conditioner may be blowing water and what you can do about it.
Contents
The Basics of How an AC Works
Before discussing potential causes of water discharge, it’s helpful to understand the basic air conditioning process.
When an AC is running, it works to remove heat from the indoor air and transfer it outside. Here are the key steps:
Evaporator coil: Indoor air is blown over coils that contain refrigerant. This cools the air through evaporation, similar to how sweating cools your skin.
Compressor: Refrigerant in gas form is compressed, raising its temperature.
Condenser coil: The hot refrigerant passes through outdoor coils, releasing heat into the outdoor air through condensation. The refrigerant condenses into a liquid.
Expansion valve: Liquid refrigerant passes through a metering device that causes it to expand. This cools the refrigerant down to near indoor temperatures.
Repeat cycle: The cooled refrigerant returns to the evaporator coil indoors to absorb more heat from the room and repeat the process.
During normal operation, moisture in the air condenses on the evaporator coil. This condensation is collected in a drain pan and released outside through the condensate drain line.
Common Causes of Water Discharge Problem
Now that the basics are covered, here are some of the most common reasons for your question Why My Air Conditioner Blowing Out Water? that is exact reasons your AC unit may be blowing or leaking water inside:
Normal Operation
If the weather is hot and humid, more moisture will condense on the evaporator coil as the AC works to dehumidify the air.
The evaporator drain can become overwhelmed, causing water to back up and overflow inside. This is usually only a temporary issue.
Clogged Condensate Drain
Over time, debris like dirt, dust and algae can clog the small condensate drain line running from the AC unit. When the drain gets blocked, water has nowhere to go and backs up.
Frozen Condensate Line
The condensate drain line can freeze on extremely cold days if not properly insulated. This blocks drainage and leads to water overflow issues.
Loose Drain Connection
The drain line fitting where it attaches to the AC unit body may become loose or disconnected over time due to normal vibration. Water can then spill out around the open connection point.
Pinched Drain Line
If the flexible drain tube running outside gets accidentally pinched or crushed, it restricts drainage and causes overflow problems. Rodents or insects occasionally chew on plastic drain lines as well.
Damaged Evaporator Coil
In rare cases, leaks inside can occur if the aluminum fins on the evaporator coil become badly corroded or damaged. The lock may need to be replaced.
Faulty Drain Pan
If small cracks or holes develop in the plastic condensate drain pan under the evaporator coil, water will leak out at the bottom of the unit instead of draining properly.
Improper Airflow
Issues like a dirty air filter or blocked returns/vents lead to reduced airflow. Less efficient air movement over the evaporator coil causes excess moisture buildup.
Troubleshooting Water Discharge
The first step when troubleshooting is to identify the source of the leak. Look for water under the air handler unit or dripping from joints/connections on the drain line. Then follow these tips:
- Clear any blockages in the condensate drain or line with a coil drain cleaner. Flush thoroughly with water.
- Feel along the drain line with your hands or infrared thermometer to locate frozen sections requiring insulation in cold weather.
- Inspect all drain connections and fittings. Look for loose joints, cracks or punctures allowing drainage to spill out.
- Check the condensate drain pan under the evaporator coil for damage or leaks at the bottom.
- Verify proper airflow by cleaning filters and ensuring supply/return vents/grates are clear and open.
- In extreme cases of coil damage, a professional HVAC technician may need to replace the evaporator coil.
Repair and Prevention Tips
Fixing drainage issues requires finding and sealing the leak source. Here are some additional repair strategies and preventive maintenance advice:
- Install insulating drain line sleeves if operating in cold climates to prevent freezing.
- Use condensate pump kits for floor drain installation when gravity draining outside is impossible.
- Add an auxiliary overflow drain pan under the primary pan as backup protection against leaks.
- Periodically pour vinegar or bleach down the drain line to inhibit algae/microbial growth.
- Keep air filters clean and replace them monthly to ensure adequate airflow across the evaporator coil.
- Consider re-sealing joints and connections for older units and replacing damaged pans or coils as needed.
- Prop units up slightly to allow proper pitch for drainage if sitting directly on floor surfaces.
- Monitor humidifiers and dehumidifiers – improper humidity levels affect moisture removal efficiency.
When taken care of promptly, most AC water discharge problems are minor and easy for homeowners to address or with basic HVAC maintenance.
But if issues persist, calling in a professional is recommended. Drain line blockages or leaks can usually be resolved with proper troubleshooting and repairs.
Conclusion
In summary, air conditioners blowing water inside are normally caused by condensation drainage issues related to normal operation in high humidity or minor blockages/leaks that develop over time.
The key is understanding how your AC system works and knowing what to look for when water starts overflowing or leaking inside.
With some basic inspection, troubleshooting and cleaning of drainage components, the problem can often be corrected quickly and simply.
But more serious coil damage may require professional assistance. With proper care and preventive maintenance, excess water discharge should be a manageable issue for most home air conditioning systems.