2 Possible Sources Of The Standing Fluid Around Your Central Air Conditioning Unit
Especially on days when the humidity levels are high, you may be used to finding some water dripping off and out of your central A/C unit. However, you may have discovered a pool of liquid outside of the system. You may be wondering about the water's source as well as whether you should be concerned. Below are a couple of possible causes of the standing fluid and what you can do about them.
1. Condensate Line Is Clogged up with Dirt or Fungal Growth
One possible reason why you are finding pools of liquid on the outside of the A/C unit is that the condensate line is clogged up. Normally, the system collects moisture from the air and delivers it to the line where the water slowly drains out.
However, if the line becomes blocked by dirt or fungal growth such as mold or mildew, the water will back up and start to collect inside of the unit. Eventually, it will make its way outside and create a pool of water.
If you are comfortable doing so, turn off the unit, open the access panel, and find the line. Remove it, and soak the tube in bleach water. After rinsing it thoroughly, reattach the line, and restart the system.
2. Condenser or One of the Refrigerant Lines Are Leaking Fluid
If cleaning the condensate line does not stop the fluid collection from occurring, the next possible reason is that the system is leaking refrigerant either from the condenser or one of the lines. If this is happening, you may also notice a marked difference in the system's ability to cool your home.
If you suspect that your system is leaking refrigerant, you have to have a professional take care of the leak for you. Since the fluid is an environmental hazard, the person handling it needs to be properly trained and licensed. Turn off the unit, and call someone to take a look at it.
If you have located and cleaned out the condensate line and still find pools of liquid around the unit, there is a good chance that the fluid is refrigerant that is leaking out of the system. Since you must be licensed to handle refrigerant, do not attempt to locate the leak yourself or to refill it. Instead, contact an HVAC contractor who deals with air conditioning repair to have them verify that the fluid is refrigerant as well as to repair the leak and recharge the system.
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