Why Is My Aircon Leaking And How Can Installing A New Aircon Fix This?

Aircon is an essential appliance for most Singaporean families because of the cool and refreshing air it provides. If these aren’t maintained though, common aircon issues like an aircon water leak may occur.

Aircon water leaks need to be resolved as soon as possible to avoid unwanted accidents. Additionally, they can also cause damage to nearby furniture and cause an increase in your electricity bills. 

Knowing the reasons why your aircon is leaking and when it is time to install a new aircon is essential. By doing so, you won’t have to pay for costly aircon repairs.

Why Is My Aircon Leaking?

Dirty Air Filters

Most people don’t pay attention to their air filters until their aircon starts having issues. No matter what type of aircon you have (e.g. System 1 aircon or System 4 aircon), dirty air filters will prevent air from reaching the evaporator coils which causes it to freeze. When the ice on the coils melt, water will start leaking. 

You should have your air filters cleaned regularly to prevent this. It’s recommended to clean the air filters every 3 months for the aircon to have as much airflow as possible. You can also engage professional aircon servicing services to help you with this.

Clogged Drain Line

The drain pipe is the part of the aircon that receives water from the drain pan and releases it outdoors. Over time, the lack of aircon cleaning may be reason for an aircon replacement due to debris and dust clogging the drain pipe. This is because it often results in the overflow of water in the drainage tray. When this happens, water can start dripping out from the back of the aircon. Since this part is hard to access, you’ll engage professional aircon services to either perform aircon servicing or aircon replacement. 

Poor Maintenance

Even if you buy your aircon from the best-selling aircon brands in Singapore such as Mitsubishi Aircon or Daikin Aircon, poor or irregular aircon maintenance can still cause your unit to leak. This is why it’s crucial to have aircon servicing done on a regular basis. Otherwise, any leaks from your aircon might worsen and cause it to be totally unusable. 

Improper Installation

If you notice leaks from your aircon despite it being brand new, it might be a sign of an improper aircon installation. Take note that your aircon should be installed on a flat surface. Moreover, it should be positioned at a slight downward angle so that the water in the drainage tray can drip out easily. 

Another thing to look out for when installing an aircon is the proper fitting of the seals around the unit. If the seals are not fitted properly, warm air coming from outdoors could combine with the cold air inside the home and result in condensation.

Low Levels of Refrigerant

Low refrigerant is a common aircon issue that requires an aircon replacement. When a unit doesn’t have enough refrigerant due to a refrigerant leak, the evaporator coils end up freezing due to lack of pressure. 

As mentioned, a water leak can occur once these coils start melting. One of the signs that you have an aircon refrigerant leak is when the unit produces hissing noises. If the leak is severe, you might even hear a gurgling sound. 

Damaged Condensate Pump

The condensate pump is a motorised device located below the cooling oil and helps pump out all the water from the unit. There are times when this component can malfunction due to dirt build-up. 

However, if you think that your condensate pump is clean, then there might be something wrong with its components. You can also inspect the power supply attached to the pump to see whether it’s been disconnected. If so, it may be a reason to go for an aircon replacement instead of an aircon repair. If you are looking for a replacement, you can consider aircon models from Panasonic.

To know whether the condensate pump is functioning normally, check if water is being discharged into the condenser pan as needed. In case the condenser pan seems empty, you might have to repair or replace the condensate pump. If the damage is severe, call a professional for an aircon replacement right away.

Broken Drain Pan

The drain pan is essential to storing the condensate that accumulates inside an aircon. Since it’s built with iron, it is extremely prone to rusting. When this happens, it becomes unable to store water and causes an aircon water leak to develop. You might need to replace the drain pan in order to resolve this issue. Otherwise, engage a professional to install a new aircon. When doing so, be sure to follow some tips for choosing the best aircon installer in Singapore.

Low Outdoor Temperature

A drop in outdoor temperature is also a potential reason for aircon water leaks. This is because cold weather decreases the temperature of the refrigerant. When this happens, some parts like the evaporator coils can freeze and cause a leak when they melt. To prevent this from happening, try to wait for warmer weather conditions before using the unit. If you continue using your unit in cold weather, it might end up malfunctioning and you’ll need to install a new aircon.  

Condenser Coil Leak

The condenser coil is responsible for facilitating heat transfer needed to produce cold air. Since this component is made of copper, it is prone to corrosion when there are certain acidic compounds present in the air. Once the condenser coil corrodes, it usually springs a leak. 

Even if a condenser coil has not yet corroded, it can still cause a leak due to vibrations caused by mechanical issues in the unit. In this case, you should call a professional to repair the defective parts causing the vibrations.

How To Resolve An Aircon Leak By Yourself 

Dealing with an aircon leak can be extremely inconvenient and costly. If you are experiencing an aircon leak with your inverter or non-inverter aircon, you can try to perform some steps for your aircon. This might enable you to enjoy cool and refreshing air again as well as avoid costly repairs or replacement.

To resolve your aircon leak, try the following steps:

• Turn off your aircon and disconnect it from the power supply.
• Disassemble the aircon and check if the vent is blocked. If so, it might be causing problems with the unit’s heat exchange process which often results in leaking. 
• Inspect the seals around the vent and cooling sector to confirm if air leaks are present.
• Check the condensate pump and drain pan to see if they’ve accumulated dirt.
• Use a wire brush to clean up and dust, dirt, and debris present inside the unit.
• For any stubborn dirt stuck to the aircon vent and other components, apply a cleaning solution so they’re completely eliminated.
• After you’ve finished cleaning your aircon’s components, dry them properly to eliminate any remaining moisture.
• Lastly, reassemble your unit and test it to confirm whether any leaks are still present.

How To Prevent Your Aircon From Leaking

Similar to buying toilet bowls or water heaters, it is essential to maintain them so that  you no longer have to experience similar aircon issues again. Always inspect your aircon regularly so you can confirm whether it has accumulated any dirt or if any components have sustained damage. In case dirt build-up is present, clean your air filters and other parts so your unit can continue functioning again. You might also want to consider installing a bigger condenser pan to prevent any water leaks.

How Can Installing A New Aircon Resolve An Aircon Leak?

If cleaning and repairing your aircon fails to resolve your aircon leak problems, you may need to have a new aircon installed. Consider installing aircon models from Daikin and Mitsubishi as they provide several benefits. Additionally, both these aircons have modern features that help prevent aircon leaks.

The Daikin MKS80TVMG / CTKS25TVMG X3 has a PM 2.5 Filter that can trap tiny particles that could clog the inner parts of the unit. Similarly, the Mitsubishi Electric MXY-4G38VA2 / MSXY-FN10VE X3 / MSXY-FN18VE has an Anti-Allergy Enzyme Filter and Nano Platinum Filter that help to kill harmful allergens and bacteria before they enter the unit. It is also built with anti-rust treatment which prevents the unit from rapidly deteriorating. 

Contact Everyhome Singapore For Your Aircon Needs

In case your aircon leak issues persist even after you’ve cleaned your unit, it’s possible that some aircon parts have incurred damage. When this happens, you can seek advice from a professional who can determine whether your aircon should be replaced. It’s best that you engage a professional with much knowledge in recommending the right aircon for your home or read aircon buying guides.

To purchase your aircon without any hassle, don’t hesitate to contact Everyhome Singapore. We have a team of professionals who can guide you on what aircon you should install so you can resolve your aircon leak problems. They can also help to install your new aircon properly and efficiently to avoid any damage. With their help, you’ll no longer have to deal with the effects of an aircon leak.

Conclusion

Knowing the possible reasons for an aircon leak can help you prevent further damage to your home as well as costly energy bills. An aircon can leak because of dirty air filters and a clogged drain line. It can also occur due to poor maintenance, improper installation, and low refrigerant levels. Other reasons for an aircon leak include a damaged condensate pump, a broken drain pan, low outdoor temperature, and condenser coil leak.

If you’re facing an aircon leak, you can take some steps to resolve it. Otherwise, it’s better to call a professional for an aircon installation if you think some aircon parts have been heavily damaged. To prevent your aircon from leaking in the first place, always make sure to inspect it and clean the major aircon parts.

This article was reproduced from DW Aircon Singapore.