Don't Panic! AC Indoor Unit Leaking? 5 Common Causes & DIY Solutions!

Don't Panic! AC Indoor Unit Leaking? 5 Common Causes & DIY Solutions!In the scorching summer heat, air conditioners are indispensable "magic weapons." But when this "magic weapon" starts dripping, do you also panic like me? Recently, my indoor AC unit started leaking water out of nowhere, and I frantically contacted customer service

Don't Panic! AC Indoor Unit Leaking? 5 Common Causes & DIY Solutions!

In the scorching summer heat, air conditioners are indispensable "magic weapons." But when this "magic weapon" starts dripping, do you also panic like me? Recently, my indoor AC unit started leaking water out of nowhere, and I frantically contacted customer service. However, after inspection, it turned out to be a minor problem, and they only charged me 50 yuan for the service call.

This experience made me realize that many AC problems don't necessarily require professional help. We can actually try to fix them ourselves. Today, I'm sharing common reasons for AC indoor unit leaks and their corresponding solutions, so you can stop worrying about dripping water.

 Don

1. Dirty Filter Is the Culprit

The AC filter is an important component that filters dust and impurities from the air. When the filter is covered in dust, it hinders air circulation, affecting cooling efficiency and also causing condensation to be unable to drain properly, leading to drips from the indoor unit.

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Symptoms: Not only does the indoor unit leak, but cooling efficiency may also decrease, and there might be a strange odor.

Solution:

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  • Cleaning Steps:

1. Open the AC panel and find the filter.

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2. Use the faucet to rinse the filter, and use a brush for deeper cleaning if necessary.

3. After cleaning, air dry the filter and reinstall it in the AC.

 Don

2. Tilted Indoor Unit Causes the Problem

The bottom of the indoor AC unit has a drip pan that collects condensation. The drip pan drains water to the outdoors through the drain pipe. When the indoor unit is tilted and the drip pan is not level, water will overflow from the edge, causing leaks from the indoor unit.

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Symptoms: The leak is significant, and the water droplets might even turn into a stream, covering a wider area.

Solution:

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  • Adjust Indoor Unit Level: Hold both sides of the indoor unit and gently adjust it to level, ensuring stability.

3. Damaged Insulation Is the Problem

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The metal pipes connecting the indoor and outdoor AC units are very cold and produce condensation. To prevent the condensation from dripping, the pipes are wrapped in insulation. If the insulation is damaged, it will lead to leaks, but this is actually condensation dripping, not a real "leak."

Symptoms: The leaks are not from the indoor AC unit, the indoor unit surface is dry, and you can see the damaged insulation on the pipes.

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Solution:

  • Repair the Insulation: Use tape or other tools to align and stick the cracks in the insulation.

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  • Replace the Insulation: If the damage is severe, replace the insulation or use other insulating materials to fill the damaged area.
  • Contact Customer Service: If the damage is on the outdoor insulation, contact customer service for repairs.

 Don

4. Clogged Condensation Pipe Causes the Leak

There is a small hole at the bottom of the drip pan that connects to the condensation pipe, which drains condensation to the outdoors. If the condensation pipe is blocked, or the outdoor segment is entangled or bent, drainage will be impeded, causing water to back up in the drip pan.

Symptoms: The leak gets worse the longer you use the AC. There might be no leak at the beginning, but after a while, dripping starts.

Solution:

  • Check the Condensation Pipe: Look outside and observe the condensation pipe, particularly near the AC wall hole.
  • Clean the Condensation Pipe: If the condensation pipe is bent, use a stick to straighten it.
  • Replace the Condensation Pipe: If the condensation pipe is severely blocked, contact customer service to replace it.

5. Frozen Evaporator Is the Problem

The evaporator is located behind the indoor unit filter. It normally produces condensation, which is drained through the drain pipe. If the evaporator surface freezes, the ice will melt and create a large amount of water, which will overwhelm the drainage system, causing leaks.

Symptoms: Cooling efficiency decreases, the leak is small when using the AC, or there might not be any leaks, but the indoor unit starts dripping after turning off the AC.

Solution:

  • Contact Customer Service to Add Refrigerant: The evaporator freezing is usually caused by a lack of refrigerant, so contact customer service to add refrigerant.
  • Check for Refrigerant Leaks: A lack of refrigerant indicates a leak, so you need to find the cause of the leak, such as a loose valve on the outdoor unit, damaged pipes, etc., and repair it.

Conclusion

While AC indoor unit leaks can be a headache, most problems can be solved using the methods above. However, if you encounter complicated issues, it's best to contact customer service for professional repairs. Remember, having some basic repair knowledge can not only save you repair costs but also enhance your life skills, making your life more convenient.


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