We’re not exactly embroiled in the hottest time of the year just yet. That being said, we have already experienced some pretty hot temperatures this year. While it looks like highs will be hanging around in the mid-to-high 70’s for a while, we’ve already hit the mid-to-high 80’s here and there. Chances are that you’ve already been running your air conditioner, even if you’re not doing so regularly.

As we wait for the real, consistent heat to arrive, we want to take the opportunity to remind you once more of how important it is to schedule any necessary air conditioning repairs in Miami, FL at the very first sign of trouble with your system. There are a number of warning signs that you may notice which can alert you to problems. One is a water leak in your AC unit, though this condition may not be exactly what it seems.

Where Does the Water Come From?

If one were to experience a water leak with his or her boiler or water heater, it would be pretty obvious as to where the water was coming from, right? After all, these systems contain water, they use water in their operation, and they have water piped in and out of them. This is not the case with an air conditioner, however, which at no point in its operation utilizes water.

So where does the water come from? There are two likely sources of the water, and neither is exactly a system leak as you may envision it. In some cases the problem is benign and can be easily resolved. In at least one, however, the cause of the problem is a very serious condition. Whatever the reason for the “leak,” have the issue corrected before your property suffers water damage.

Condensate Drain Pan/Drain Line Problems

Your air conditioner is not a humidifier, but it certainly does remove some humidity from the air as it works to cool your home. When the system evaporates refrigerant in order to draw heat out of the air, some condensation will collect on the evaporator coil. That moisture has to go somewhere, which is where the condensate drain pan and drain line come into play.

Now, if the drain pan has corroded and is leaking, if it is misaligned, or if the condensate drain line is backed up, then that condensation can spill out onto the floor surrounding the unit. When that happens, you’ll see what appears to be water leaking out of the system. These problems are easily corrected, but must be handled before issues stemming from the moisture develop.

Ice Melting

If you ever see ice on your air conditioner, you should keep in mind that your air conditioner is not a freezer. This is not a sign that your system is working very well. In fact, it is a sign that something is wrong with the system.

If your coil ices over, that ice can melt and lead to water pooling around the unit. A very dirty air filter may be to blame, restricting airflow enough that the condensation on the coil freezes up. It could also be the result of a refrigerant leak, though, and that is a more serious problem. If you have a refrigerant leak, then you need to have the leak repaired and your refrigerant recharged before serious damage is done to your system.

Schedule your AC repair services with One Hour Air Conditioning & Heating® of Miami this cooling season.