A portable air conditioner is a valuable investment, especially if you do not have a suitable window in your home for an air conditioner. However, a leaking portable air conditioner is a sign that something is wrong with your unit.
It can be challenging to figure out the problem, especially if the weather is humid and you need it to work immediately. One can face many issues by using a faulty air conditioner, including paying unnecessarily high costs for energy consumption. That’s why you need to identify what the problem is as soon as possible to find a solution.
In this article, we are going to look at all the possible causes of your question: “Why is portable air conditioner leaking water?”. We’ll address water leakage and the necessary repair measures you should take to get your air conditioner working again.
Clogged drains
This is one of the major causes of water leaks on portable air conditioners. A clogged drain prevents the smooth flow of water through the drainage pipes. You must address the problem immediately to keep the water within the system. There are lots of different methods to unclog the drainage system.
First, clean the pipe that drains water into the reservoir, then blow into it to remove any blockage. Secondly, you can use a wire to remove anything blocking the drainage. To do this, insert a wire into the drainage pipes, then once you find some resistance, twist until you can freely move the wire back and forth. If neither of these two works to unclog the pipes, get an AC repair professional to figure out the issue.
Once you’ve successfully unclogged your drainage system, the next step is to prevent them from recurring. In most instances, water leaking can result from water stagnating in the drain instead of flowing to the condenser’s dispersion point because of clogs.
Add a tablespoon of bleach to the tray once the system is unclogged to completely prevent clogs. This will destroy any fungus or mold from growing.
Cracks
Another reason for water leaks may be cracks within the air conditioner. Portable air conditioning units can get cracks if they are mistakenly dropped while being moved or if they freeze up. Check the condenser and condensate pan for cracks. These two areas are susceptible to drastic fluctuations in temperature. Use a resin poly sealant to seal any cracks in your air conditioner.
Dirty Heat Coils and Filters
An air conditioner works best when there is no hindrance to airflow through it. If there’s dirt in the heat exchange coils or filters, the air conditioner will cool down. That means that the air will condense which causes water leakage. You can use a hose, showerhead, or spray bottle to clean off the dirt from the heat coils. You can add an antiseptic to the cleaning water to eliminate bacteria and mold. If you’re unsure how to go about this process, follow the user manual’s instructions.
Lack of refrigerant
If the filter and heat exchanger are clean, your portable air conditioner should produce ample airflow and the air should be cool. If the air conditioner still cannot cool the room and leaks water from the air vent, it probably does not have enough refrigerant.
If this is the case, you will need to hire a professional to solve the problem and restore it to good working conditions. A professional AC technician will locate the leak, repair it, and add more refrigerant to the system. Good luck!