Where’s the Water From?
Living in Texas, we are certainly used to extra water in the air (hello humidity), but water near your air conditioner? Oh no! Oh yes! Some water is ok – air conditioners make water as part of the cooling process. Some of it is used to help cool the air, while the rest is sent out the back of the unit. Learn why the water helps air conditioner parts prevent leaks and work better and learn when it’s time for an air conditioner tune up or repair.
How Air Conditioners Work
Air conditioners cool air through refrigeration. Inside your unit are two sets of coils connected by a condenser. One of the coils is kept hot, the other cold. Chemicals inside the coils dissolve into liquid over and over again, cooling the coils and the air that blows over them. The cooled coils force moisture out of the air, just like how a cold can of soda gets liquid on its sides on a humid day outside.
Coils use some of the water to help keep it cool. The rest of the water runs out of the back of the air conditioner.
Seeing some water around your air conditioner is a good sign; it means that everything is working properly. If there’s no visible water, there might be a problem, like the water may be running somewhere it shouldn’t. Or it might be freezing onto the coils and you might need your AC serviced. Make sure to seal nice and tight your windows.
Leaking Air Conditioners
While all air conditioners produce water as part of the cooling process, the water should run out of the back, usually out of a drain line. If you see water somewhere else (a puddle in your home, for example) it means that your air conditioner is leaking and not working properly, or your drain line may be plugged. It might be time for an AC check up.
Ice Collection
Too much water isn’t good either. Excess water can sit on the cold coils and turn into ice, affecting your air conditioner’s performance. When you turn the air conditioner off, the air inside heats up, melts the ice and creates a puddle of water beneath the air conditioner.
Warm Air Infiltration
Properly seal your window air conditioning unit to avoid warm outside air getting inside your home. While you may not notice this while your air conditioner is running, your air conditioner will. The warm outside air will hit the cold air conditioner, forcing the humidity out of the air and causing water it to drip down the sides of the air conditioner.
Understand Your Air Conditioner
By understanding your AC unit, you’ll be able to keep it in good working condition. Learn more about how your air conditioner operates and what’s normal during its use in order to make better decisions regarding its maintenance and when it’s time for an AC tune up.
Make sure your home is comfortable and efficient all year long. If you have any questions or concerns about repair, maintenance, or replacement of your air conditioner unit, contact BVS Home Experts today to restore your comfort.
We are here for you at BVS Home Experts. We have air conditioner technicians standing by 24/7 (yes, even on holidays!).
We’ll get everything taken care of to get your home back to normal. Make sure your home is comfortable and efficient all year long. For comprehensive air conditioning repair services, contact BVS Home Experts today to restore your comfort.
Author Bio:
Ronald Via
Ronald is one of the key contributors to BVS Home Experts, a family-owned and operated full-service air conditioning and heating company serving the Katy and West Houston areas. With a deep understanding of air conditioning and heating concerns, Ronald brings a wealth of knowledge to our readers.
