Water is pooling around your inside unit and you’re a bit worried. Water leaking out of and pooling around your inside air conditioning unit isn’t normal. There’s a problem that you or a professional need to fix. Before explaining why this is happening, turn off your AC to protect its electrical components from harm. OK, now that we’ve gotten that out of the way, let’s explain: Before we get to how the AC leaks out, we need to explain how it gets there in the first place. The inside AC unit has a frigidly cold evaporator coil that cools the air flowing over it. When air hits the coil, the air’s moisture condenses on the coil. It’s just like how water droplets condense on an ice cold glass of sweet tea during a scorching Atlanta summer. As water forms, it falls into a drain pan and out a condensate drain line. You should see the drain line exit point as a PVC pipe near your outside AC unit. OK, so now you know how the water got there.

Now let’s talk about why it’s leaking into your home.window ac units in winter There are many possible issues that can cause water to leak into your home.air conditioning repair in new york city Here are the usual suspects:outside ac unit runs continuously The drain line can get clogged with dirt, insects, mold and other sludge. The clog causes the water to back up and into your home. While this may unclog the drain, dirt from the evaporator coil may clog the drain again soon. Contact a professional to clean the evaporator coil as part of a maintenance visit. You’ll know this is the problem if your AC has a hard time cooling your home. The evaporator coil may be freezing up (literally).

So when the ice melts, water flows over the drain pan and leaks on to your floor. Regardless of the cause, fix this problem ASAP to prevent serious damage to your AC. Simple as it sounds: over time the drain line can get disconnected, allowing water to spill into your home. To move the water from the pan to a drain, some air conditioners need a condensate pump. If the pump is busted, the water won’t drain out and can overflow into your home. An old drain pan can rust through and crack, so water leaks onto the floor instead of down the drain. Do you live in the Atlanta area and want this problem fixed fast? Contact Coolray online and save 10% on your repair.All-time summer heat records keep buckling under the weight of rising global temps—a trend that hits home, literally and figuratively, when you receive your monthly air conditioning bill. Unfortunately, mistakes you’re making with your home AC may be undercutting its efficiency, effectiveness, and safety, experts say.

“If you have a badly maintained system, it can become contaminated with microorganisms that may be harmful if inhaled,” says Mark Mendell, a staff scientist with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory’s Indoor Environment Group. Mendell mentions asthma problems and allergies as some of those possible harms. Here are eight of the most common mistakes people make when it comes to home AC, and some simple adjustments that can save your lungs and wallet. You Aren’t Changing or Cleaning Your AC Filters At a minimum, you should be changing the filter on your central AC unit once every three months—and as often as once a month if your system is running all the time. Neglect this chore, and a dirty filter can lead to poor air flow or freezing up of your unit’s evaporator coil, says James Braun, a professor of engineering and director of the Center for High Performance Buildings at Purdue University. A filthy filter could add 5% to 15% to your AC bill, and will shorten the lifespan of your whole system.

Fortunately, replacement filters are pretty cheap—usually less than $10. If you have ductless “split” AC units, there should be a removable panel on your unit that will allow you to wipe off the filter with a rag—no replacement necessary. You’re Not Having Your System Serviced Annually You could look up online video tutorials about cleaning your AC unit’s coils and fins—necessary maintenance operations that keep your system up and running efficiently, Braun says. You could also bring in a pro to service your system once a year. The U.S. Department of Energy offers some tips when searching for AC service contractors. You Don’t Have a Programmable Thermostat Maybe you’re one of those superhumans who always remembers to adjust the thermostat before leaving the house. But if you’re like the rest of us, a programmable thermostat can save you hundreds on your annual AC bill by automatically raising the temp at those times of day when you’re at work or away from home, Braun says.

Newer phone-controllable “smart” thermostats make programming even simpler, he adds. You’re Setting Your Thermostat Too Low Research shows the human body is capable of adapting to hot or cool temperatures pretty quickly—like within a week or two. When you consider you’ll cut up to 3% off your AC bill for every degree you raise the temperature—not to mention the potential environmental benefits of lowering your AC use—it’s worth sweating through that adjustment period and setting your thermostat somewhere in the high 70s (or higher if you can handle it). You’re Not Taking Full Advantage of Fans Any type of fan, but especially ceiling fans, can help keep cool air circulating throughout your home. That removes some of the burden from your AC system, Braun says. Just be sure your ceiling fans are turning counterclockwise during the summer, which promotes greater air flow. Your Thermostat and/or Vents Are Poorly Positioned If the sun or a nearby lamp blasts your thermostat for big chunks of the day, that could throw off its readings and cause it to crank your AC even though your place is pleasantly cool.