Air conditioner indoor unit leaking
Note
For more information on cleaning the air filters or removing the front panel, please consult this article about
Maintenance and Cleaning for air conditioners.
Cause and Symptoms
- Water leaks from my Air Conditioning indoor unit.
- Frost can build up in the indoor unit and water may leak when the air filter is clogged. Please try cleaning the air filter.
Try this
Clean Air Filters
Please clean the filters every two weeks to maintain the product performance.
- Lift the front cover to find the filter.
- Take out the filter. Wash and dry completely in shade before placing it back.
How to clean the air filter in the wall-mounted air conditioner
- Pull the front panel forward with both hands.
- Press the hook to fix the front panel
- Remove the air filter.
- Give the filter a good clean with a vacuum cleaner or soft brush (Washing with water helps to remove heavy soils).
- Dry completely in shade. Place back the filter in and close the front panel. Reassemble in reverse order
An evaporator coil is contained in the inside unit that cools the warm air as it blows over it to create a comfortable indoor temperature. As hot air blows over the coil, condensation starts to form. Picture water droplets forming on the outside of a cold glass of water. That is just what is happening to the evaporator coil of the air conditioner unit.
As moisture forms, it drips into the drain pan, leading to a condensate drain line. This line leads out of your home so, ideally, you shouldn’t have issues with your AC leaking inside the home.
Unfortunately, there may be times when your air conditioner is leaking water inside the house.
The following are potential other reasons for water leaking :
Clogged Drain Line - If your AC is leaking inside the home, it’s most likely due to a clogged condensate drain line. Over time, this line can get clogged with debris such as dirt, dust or mold.
When your condensate drain line gets clogged, water can’t escape and drain to the outside of the domicile. The line becomes backed up, causing the condensation to return inside and leak water into the house.
You may need the service of professionals for help. They have access to special, powerful vacuum cleaners that can remove blockage and free up the drain line.
Dirty Air Filter - You already know that you should clean your air conditioner air filter every 30 days or so. A dirty air filter can make your system work harder, resulting in possible damage or wearing out parts.
In addition to causing strain on your home’s HVAC system, a dirty filter can block the airflow moving over the unit’s evaporator coil. When airflow is clogged, the coil becomes freezing and can start to freeze.
As the frozen coil melts, the excess water can cause the drain pan to overflow. Keep a close eye on the air filter and clean it every month or two. If the filter looks to be filthy or clogged, it could be the reason why your air conditioner is leaking water inside the house.
AC is Low on Refrigerant - As the volume of refrigerant gets lower, the pressure inside your AC system lowers, too. This can also cause your evaporator coil to freeze, creating a wet mess.
If you notice that your air conditioner isn’t cooling your home down like it should, get the refrigerant levels checked. Other signs include an unusual hissing or bubbling sound, which can indicate that you have a leak.
If you catch a leak in time, you might be able to repair the damage. If not, you could end up having to pay for a completely new unit.
Have your HVAC system inspected regularly to prevent these problems from occurring. Ideally, you should have a thorough inspection at the start of every summer to prevent leaks and other issues.
Other Reasons AC Leak Water - There may be a few other reasons why the air conditioner is leaking water inside the house. If your air conditioning system is older, the drain pan could have gotten worn out, rusted or damaged over time.
AC units that are between 10 and 20 years old may need a new pan. Try getting an old, rusty drain pan replaced and see if this remedies the issue.
Another potential cause of a leaking AC could be a broken condensate pump. If the pump is broken, water can’t be pumped outside the house any longer. It’s crucial to have this part either repaired or replaced as soon as possible to prevent water damage to your home.
Whenever in doubt, it’s always best to turn to professionals for help. Leaking air conditioners that go ignored can go from an annoying drip to a potential flood in a matter of days or weeks. Always get the problem checked out if you can’t pinpoint the source of the problem.
LG Electronics highly recommend you reach out to your AC installer/contractor to inspect and fix your single-split air conditioner unit should it require service.