What to Do About Water Leaks in HVAC Units

The average lifespan of an HVAC system is about fifteen to twenty years. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean yours will go that long without experiencing some technical difficulties. There are a wide variety of issues that could go wrong, including water leaks.  

One of the biggest concerns regarding this problem is that it can cause damage to other parts of your HVAC system, your electrical circuits, and any nearby appliances. This guide will tell you everything you need to know about HVAC water leaks and what you can do to fix them. Keep reading to learn more. 

How to Identify HVAC Water Leaks

If your HVAC is severely leaking, a pool of water will begin to form around it. As soon as you detect a leak, you should turn off your HVAC immediately. Then, contact a technician because they can figure out what is causing the leak and fix the issue right away. 

However, when the leak is so small, there may not be any visible signs to help you detect the problem. If you’ve noticed your electricity bill has increased, but you haven’t changed the thermostat, your HVAC might be leaking. Have an HVAC contractor run some tests on your system so that they can diagnose the problem. 

Subtle Signs of HVAC Water Leaks

Small leaks can be tricky to identify, but addressing them early can save you from bigger problems down the road. If your HVAC system is leaking, the signs may not always be obvious, so it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your system’s behavior. Here are some subtle indicators that your HVAC might be leaking:

• Unexplained Increase in Energy Bills – A leaky HVAC system forces the unit to work harder to maintain the desired temperature in your home. As a result, energy consumption spikes, leading to higher electricity bills. If you haven’t made any major changes to your thermostat settings or appliance usage, but your bills have suddenly increased, this could be a warning sign of a leak within the system.
• Poor Cooling Performance – If you notice that your home isn’t staying as cool as it should, despite the HVAC running normally, a leak may be the culprit. Water leaks can affect the system’s ability to cool your home efficiently by reducing the effectiveness of key components, like the evaporator coils. You may also experience uneven temperatures across different rooms, which is another sign that something’s wrong.
• Inconsistent Airflow – Leaks can restrict the flow of air through your HVAC system. You may notice that some vents in your home are blowing less air than others or that airflow has decreased overall. This inconsistency can be caused by a leak affecting the internal components of the system, reducing its ability to circulate air properly.
• Visible Condensation – While it’s normal for an HVAC system to produce condensation, excessive water buildup on the outside of the unit can indicate a problem. If you spot condensation pooling around the unit or moisture dripping from it, this might be a sign of a leak or a blocked drainpipe, both of which need immediate attention.
• Unusual Noises – Strange sounds like gurgling, bubbling, or hissing noises coming from your HVAC unit can signal water is trapped or moving where it shouldn’t be. These sounds often indicate air bubbles in water lines or excess water within the system, which can lead to damage if left unchecked.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to schedule an inspection as soon as possible. Ignoring small leaks can lead to larger, more expensive repairs down the line and even damage other parts of your home, such as walls or flooring. Preventative maintenance and timely repairs can keep your system running efficiently and extend its lifespan.

Common Causes of Water Leaks in HVAC Systems

The most common reason for HVAC unit leaks is a clogged drainpipe. It occurs because your HVAC pulls in the warm air from your house and removes the moisture before cooling it and sending it back out.

At this point, any dirt and debris will get removed as well. After a while, though, it will build up, preventing the moisture from escaping and causing it to leak out elsewhere in the system. 

Water leaks are another reason to keep an eye on your refrigerant levels. This substance ensures that the evaporator coils, which remove the moisture from the air, stay cold.\

When it runs low, the remaining refrigerant freezes the coils as a result of an overworked system. When you refill the refrigerant, the temperatures will go back to normal, and the frozen parts will melt, causing this increase in water to leak. 

The evaporator coils will also freeze if you fail to change out the air filters. When they get too dirty, the air can’t flow easily through the system. Similar to what happens with the refrigerant, it gets too cold around the evaporated coils causing them to ice over. 

Other causes of water leaks: 

• The temperature is too low – Running your HVAC system at extremely low temperatures can result in excess condensation, which the system may struggle to manage, leading to leaks.
• Rusted or cracked drain pan – The drain pan is designed to collect condensation and funnel it out of the system. However, if it becomes damaged or rusted over time, it can fail to hold the water, resulting in leaks around the unit.
• Clogged condensate pump – In systems with condensate pumps, blockages can prevent the pump from properly removing water from the system, causing a buildup that eventually leads to leaks.

Hire an HVAC Contractor to Help Take Care Of Your System 

Now that you know how to detect water leaks and the importance of catching them early, you can start properly maintaining yours to prevent this from becoming an issue in the future. The best way to prevent a leak from happening again is to get regular maintenance checks. 

When you need an HVAC service, contact Natal Air Conditioning. For over thirty years, we’ve helped homeowners keep their energy bills down by running maintenance checks, fixing current parts, and providing HVAC installations. Fill out our online form to schedule a service request or call us at 954-788-0099.