Under no circumstances should you ever see water around the indoor unit. This is a sign that something is either dripping, leaking, or not draining. But don't panic, sometimes it can be a very minor problem. In the cooling mode, the indoor evaporator coil and the suction line (the large copper refrigerant line in black insulation) sweats. That is part of the purpose of the black insulation (armaflex), to keep the condensation from dripping. Sometimes if the insulation is missing or if it has open seems, it can cause dripping and obviously this is an easy fix. All armaflex joints should be butted-up tight and well taped. The evaporator produces a lot of condensation (water) during the summer, which runs down the coil into a pan, then out to the drain. The drain goes either into the ground, outside the house, or into a condensate pump. Then in turn, the pump takes the water either outside the house or into a plumbing drain. If the coil is dirty, then the water, instead of running down the coil, will hit the dirt, then drip onto the floor.

This is one reason why the coil should be cleaned annually, not to mention for efficiency reasons. Now if the coil is dirty, the water will mix with the dirt and the dirt will end up in the pan, and it will end up in the drain, the drain trap, and anywhere else it can cause a problem. The bottom of the trap is the most common source of a clog and it can be cleaned out with a long flexible cleaning brush and flushing water down the cleanout cap. home air conditioner unit partsKeep in mind, it doesn't take much dirt to clog a drain.how much does it cost for a new ac unit And if your unit is in an attic or a finished basement, this can cause terrible damage. in home ac unitsThis is another reason why it is important to always have a good, clean, properly sized air filter, along with having annual inspections.

Sometimes the indoor coil can actually ice-up. And when the ice eventually melts, it drips onto the floor. Like water, you should never see ice anywhere on your system during the cooling season. Indoor water problems aren't only during the summer. Many of today's high efficiency furnaces produce condensate as well. They also have to drain the water. There are many parts in the furnace that can leak, drip, or crack, causing a water leak. And along with the furnace comes the central humidifier, which can also be a source for leaks. Furnaces and humidifiers need to be cleaned and serviced annually. So keep your eyes open... If you see water, try to trace where it is coming from. Sometimes it's a simple fix - sometimes not. Blocked condensate pan, trap, or drain Indoor coil frozen due to malfunction, causing melting ice to drip Dirty or faulty evaporator coil Cracked condensate pan, bad gasket Broken fittings or pipe, unglued joints Dry-rotted, cracked or kinked furnace tubing or condensate parts

Humidifier over-filling or leaking Suction line missing armaflex (insulation) Drain line moved, not pitched downward Floor drain clogged with dirtIf your air conditioner is leaking into your room, it may not be installed properly. When the temperatures start to rise, a window air conditioning unit can be a convenient, affordable way to beat the heat. From time to time, though, problems may arise with your unit that affect its performance. Being able to troubleshoot your air conditioner can save you valuable time when you notice there's insufficient cooling. That way, you won't wind up frustrated -- and sweating -- in the middle of the next heat wave. Not Cooling Well If your air conditioner turns on but isn't cooling the room properly, check to see if the front of unit is blocked. Any item, including furniture, blinds or curtains, can restrict its airflow and reduce its cooling performance. If your unit isn't blocked and still isn't cooling effectively, however, check the condensing coils on the side of the unit.

Cool air must pass through the coils before exiting the unit, so if they are dirty, it may be difficult for the air to emerge. Over time, the coils are likely to become clogged with dirt, dust and lint, but you can clean them by removing the unit's cover and using a soft brush or can of compressed air to gently remove the debris. If your air conditioner still isn't cooling effectively, its air damper may be open. An open damper allows the air conditioner to draw in outside air, which can decrease its efficiency. Close the damper, and the unit's cooling performance should improve. No Air Blowing If you can hear your air conditioner running but it isn't blowing air into the room, there may be a problem with its fan motor. A window unit typically has two motors – the fan motor and the compressor motor. The compressor motor may be functioning, causing the unit to make running sounds, but the fan motor may be damaged. To check, turn the unit off and remove its cover. Try to rotate the fan blade by hand – if it's stiff and difficult to turn, you should have your fan motor replaced.

If you find that the fan blade is easy to turn, the motor's circuit is likely experiencing an electrical problem. The issue may be with the unit's selector switch, capacitor or the motor, so you should contact a licensed electrician to handle the problem. Water Sounds Inside Unit From time to time, you may hear water sloshing around in your window air conditioner unit. The sound may be alarming, but it's actually normal. Your window unit cools the room by drawing in warm, moist air and passing it through the indoor coil to cool it before blowing it back into the room. During the cooling process, moisture is removed from the air and usually collected in a pan at the bottom of the unit where it can be evaporated by the condensing coils. While the evaporation process is ongoing, it's common to hear water moving around inside the unit. You don't need to open the unit to try to remove the water – the only time to take action is if you notice water dripping out of the unit and into the room.