If suddenly there is water dripping in your indoor air conditioner, don’t worry, don’t panic, leaks are a common problem in an air conditioner. Air conditioner components have been designed so that water circulation can work, thus most of the components are waterproof. It is designed in such a way because if the air conditioner is dirty, you have to wash it with water. That’s why you don’t need to worry, because a little leak won’t damage the air conditioner.
The Dangers of Air Conditioner Leak
Though it might seem to be practically “safe” for the air conditioner, it does not mean that you can look sideways for this problem. It can also be dangerous if you don’t do an immediate follow-up to fix this issue. If a water-leaking air conditioner is left running continuously, various problems will occur as follows.
For your health
Because the indoor air humidity increases thereby it will be increasing the risk of disease contamination due to microorganisms (fungi, bacteria, and viruses).
For the home unit
If the air conditioner leaks, the floor of the room will flood. It can cause slip if you don’t put a proper bowl to hold the water. On the other hand, if you use carpet for your flooring, leaks can make the carpet wet due to the water splashes. And wet carpets can definitely become a problem due to the unpleasant smell and the possibility of mold growth.
Not only the floor area but your walls and wallpaper can also get wet and damaged due to water droplets from a leaking air conditioner. It will make the area of your walls look bad with the weird water spots remnants.
On top of that, keep in mind that most home appliances are not water-resistant. Thus, splashes of water from a leaking air conditioner can cause damage to your electronic devices nearby, such as TVs, smartphones, laptops, and so on. Make sure you vacate the area around your air conditioner when it leaks!
Cause short circuit
The indoor air conditioner unit has a greater risk of having short circuit issue because the components are exposed to water. If a short circuit occurs, it not only damages the air conditioner components, but it can be the main cause of fire disaster!
Can the leaky air conditioner be turned on?
From the above reasons, now you know that even when a leaky air conditioner is thought to be practically safe, it does not mean that you don’t have to fix this issue immediately. Because in the long run, it can create dangerous damage that not only affects the unit but also others around it.
When leaks are getting worse and the amount of water produced is increasing – it should not be turned on continuously. This is because it will be prone to causing more danger and damage. Fatal damage can occur because the compressor is forced to work extra hard when other air conditioner components have problems.
Signs of an Air Conditioner Leak
When an air conditioner starts to leak, it can lead to serious damage in your home and needs to be addressed immediately. It is important to recognize the signs that your air conditioner is leaking so you can take appropriate steps for repair or replacement. A few of the warning signs that your air conditioner may have a leaking problem are outlined below:
- Water Pooling Around Your System: If you notice water pooling around or near the unit, this is a sign that there’s a water leak originating from somewhere nearby.
- Strange Sounds Coming from the Unit: Unusual noises could signal a broken component in the system that may cause or indicate a water leak.
- Unexpected Increase in Water Bills: If your water bills are high for no obvious reason, it might be an indication that you have an undetected water leak somewhere in your air conditioning system.
- Unpleasant Odors and Bad Smells: Air conditioners should not emit any distinct odors; if they do, it could be caused by mold and mildew growth due to spilled water and condensation buildup within your AC unit.
- Insufficient Cooling/Low Cooling Output: If there is noticeably reduced output even when the temperature outside remains hot, it could mean that liquid has leaked into some of its components which leads to inefficient cooling production.
If any of these signs present themselves from time to time with your AC unit, it’s best not to delay long before seeking professional help as the issue may grow worse over time if left unaddressed. The best way to prevent further issues is by addressing them quickly when they occur, with thorough inspection and maintenance by experienced technicians.
What are the Causes of Indoor Air Conditioner Unit Leaks?
Several things cause the air conditioner to leak indoors, including:
- There is a blockage in the indoor drain. This is because the drain is too dirty or mossy, causing a blockage.
- The drain pipe isn’t tilted enough. Thus the water which flows from top to bottom, can’t go down properly. Because it’s flat or uphill, the water gets clogged. Eventually, when it’s already full, the water will drip down.
- Because leaks in the freon cause frost on the indoor evaporator, when this ice melts it will drip so that it leaks water indoors.
- Excessive condensation occurs due to pipelines that are not covered by insulation, or the insulation is torn, this can occur because the air conditioner has been running for too long so the insulation is torn or damaged.
- There is damage to the evaporator.
How to Overcome Leaks in Air Conditioner?
Because leaks in air conditioners generally occur due to dirty drains or improper placement of drain pipes. The easiest way is to check the drain first, if it’s just not tilted enough you can adjust it yourself.
But the ultimate thing you should do is by calling reinforcement from an air conditioner service provider such as Luce Aircon, thus their professional technician can help you to troubleshoot all your air conditioner leak problems easily. Book their service slot today, to get end-of-year cleaning for your air conditioner!