Why Does My LG Portable Air Conditioner Leak Water?

It’s not uncommon for portable air conditioners to leak water from the bottom — but it’s also not normal for it to do so. If your LG-branded portable air conditioner is leaking, don’t ignore the signs. If you do not act quickly, more damage can occur and you may have more problems on your hands. So you may be asking “Why does my LG portable air conditioner leak water?” Here are seven reasons why this AC brand might be doing just that.

Dirty Air Filter

From time to time, the air filter of your LG AC unit needs to be changed. If it’s not, it will accumulate dirt, which prevents proper air flow. Many portable air conditioner filters are not designed to last for more than two months. If you use your portable air conditioners all the time, check the filters every month and change them before they wear out.

Blocked Drains

An AC unit with a clogged drain is sure to leak water either through the back or the front. A blockage in the drain prevents water from flowing through the drain line. When water cannot pass through the overflow pan to the drainpipe, water will force itself out from the machine, causing a leak. You will need to check the drain line for debris and dirt and remove the blockage.

Dirty Heat Coils

When the heat coils in your AC unit is dirty, airflow will reduce. The dirt will make the coil cold and the temperature will eventually hit zero degree. Ice will begin to form on the coil and when the ice melts, water will leak from your AC unit.

Broken Drain Overflow Pan

The drain overflow pan located under your AC unit needs to be inspected as often as you check your drain line. Check the edge of the pan for cracks and holes. If there are any on the pan, water will spill from your air conditioner. While small holes can be fixed, changing your drain overflow pan entirely is one way to ensure that your AC unit functions efficiently. 

Insufficient Refrigerant

A clean heat coil and air filter should help your portable AC unit to produce cool air. In situations where both are free of dirt and still do not allow for adequate airflow and cooling, check the refrigerant of your air conditioner. It probably isn’t enough to support the production of cool air. A lack of refrigerant can cause water to leak from the air vent. You may require the services of a professional such as an HVAC (heating, venting, and air conditioning) specialist to add more refrigerant to your AC unit.

6. Wrong Installation

Even though portable air conditioners do not often require permanent installation, the machine must be positioned properly at all times. For starters, it has to be placed on leveled ground. If it isn’t, water will quickly fill the overflow pan and spill from the system. If the machine is sitting on a pad, adjust it and ensure that it is placed properly with none of its sides tilting.

7. Damaged Pump

A broken pump can cause water to leak from your AC unit. If every other thing seems fine with your AC unit and it still drips water, check the pump. All you have to do is pour some water into the overflow pan and see if the water will be extracted from it. If the water is not, then the pump is broken. A damaged pump will cause the pan to overflow until it starts dripping.

For your AC unit to be in good working condition, you need to ensure that all the parts are working properly. Fix all leakage problems as soon as you can and if you cannot do it yourself, hire a professional AC technician or HVAC specialist.