Why does an air conditioner make water in the first place?
Cooling air also removes moisture from it. Warm, humid air passes over the cold indoor coil, and the water in that air turns to liquid. On a muggy Sunshine Coast summer day, a unit can collect a surprising amount of water. That water drips into a tray and runs out through a drain line, usually to the outside. Water is normal. Water on your floor is not.
So a leak almost always means the water has nowhere to go, or it is forming where it should not. Finding out which one is the whole job.
What causes a split system to leak water indoors?
A blocked or kinked drain line is the usual culprit. The next most common is a drain that does not fall properly. Condensate drains rely on gravity, so if the pipe has a dip or the indoor unit is not level, water sits and spills. This is an installation issue, not something you caused.
A frozen coil is another cause. If airflow is restricted by dirty filters, or the system is low on refrigerant, the coil can ice up. When it thaws, a large amount of water comes off at once and overwhelms the tray. Ice on the unit or weak airflow are clues.
Why is my cassette air conditioner leaking water?
Ceiling cassettes sit higher than the outside drain point, so many use a small condensate pump to lift water out. If that pump fails, or its float switch sticks, the tray overflows. Water then drips from the cassette panel or stains the ceiling around it.
Cassettes also suffer from the same blocked drain and dirty filter problems as split systems. Because the unit is in the ceiling, you may not see a small leak until the plasterboard marks. If you see a stain, switch the system off and have it checked. Water near a ceiling cavity can reach wiring and insulation.
Why is there humidity or dampness on the floor under my air con?
Check where the damp is. A wet patch directly below the indoor unit points to a drain overflow or sweating pipes. A cold, clammy feeling across the room is different. That can happen when a system is too big for the space. It cools the room quickly, switches off, and never runs long enough to pull moisture out of the air.
Sealed or poorly insulated ducts can also sweat where they pass through humid ceiling spaces. If you have ducted air conditioning, damp registers or marks around vents are worth reporting.
What should I do, and how does Delta Temp handle it?
Turn the system off if water is dripping near power points, lights or a ceiling. Clean the filters if you can do so safely, as it is a simple fix for airflow problems. Do not poke wire into the drain or add refrigerant yourself. Handling refrigerant requires an ARC authorisation, and the wrong fix can make the problem worse.
Delta Temp Climate Solutions is QBCC licensed and ARC authorised, and services the Sunshine Coast from Caboolture to Noosa. We find the cause first, then fix the drain, pump, insulation or airflow problem. If the leak traces back to our own installation work, our 10 year workmanship warranty covers defects in that work. It does not cover equipment faults, which sit under the manufacturer warranty, or fair wear and tear or lack of servicing. Full terms are at deltatemp.com.au/warranty/.
