Did you know that more than 80% of US households are equipped with some form of air conditioning unit? Despite this, only about 40% of these units are regularly serviced by HVAC experts.
Maintaining your HVAC unit on a regular basis can prolong its lifespan and make it more efficient which in turn keeps running costs down.
That’s why you should act immediately if you see an HVAC leak or a similar problem. An HVAC unit leaking water can cause significant damage to the internal components of the system and be very costly to repair.
Keep reading to learn the causes of an HVAC leak and what to do about it.
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Your Unit Has Clogged Drains
In most cases, a clogged drain is usually the main cause of an HVAC leak. The clog can cause the drip pan to overfill which in turn will leak water if it’s left unaddressed. If you hear water dripping on the floor, inspect your HVAC unit carefully.
Clogged drains also make the HVAC unit run louder and this should prompt you to call an expert to check your system.
There Are Disconnected or Improperly Fitted Pipes
A poorly fitted pipe or drain line can leak and cause puddles on the floor, especially if you’re not at home.
Pipes can become disconnected if the HVAC system hasn’t been maintained in years. The poor initial installation might also cause drain leaks.
That’s why it’s important to regularly check the pipes of your unit and look for signs of leakage. A simple manual inspection can reveal problems that can be prevented with proper HVAC maintenance.
If you don’t know how to perform the inspection yourself, you can always take advantage of a water leak detection service from professional companies.
A Condensing Unit Is Not Functioning Properly
The condensing unit is responsible for keeping your house cool during hot summer days. It will absorb moisture from the air and reduce the indoor temperature.
If the condensing unit doesn’t work properly, a lot of water accumulates inside the AC unit. This can lead to leaks, especially if the HVAC unit hasn’t been maintained for a long time.
There Is Little to No Refrigerant in Your AC Unit
When the refrigerant levels in your air conditioning unit are low, it causes the evaporator coil to freeze. As a result, water can accumulate inside the AC unit which will eventually lead to leaks, not to mention that the HVAC unit also doesn’t work at full capacity.
Now You Know the Main Causes of an HVAC Leak
As you can see, an HVAC leak can be caused by different types of problems which can be prevented with regular maintenance. It’s a well-known fact that HVAC systems are quite expensive.
By maintaining them regularly, you can prevent costly repair projects or even complete replacements. On top of that, fixing minor issues such as disconnected drains or clogged pipes will reduce the amount of energy your system consumes.
For more useful tips and tricks on how to take care of your HVAC unit, check out the other articles on our website!
