|
An air conditioners primary job is to remove
moisture from the room to give you a feeling of comfort. During this
process they capture a lot of water. How much, is dependent upon humidity
content of the air, size of the air conditioner, its operating efficiency, and
whether it was properly installed. The water captured during normal operation
flows
down the cooling coil and drops into the base, following
channels or passages to the rear. Some of the water
is lifted up by the fan blade and used to cool the heating coil, while
most of it proceeds to the rear where it drops out of the base and
onto the ground. That is, if everything is working perfectly. The reality of window air conditioners is that they
can leak water.
The source of the leak can be allusive,
appearing to come from multiple places, or only happen sporadically.
Whichever the case, an air conditioner that leaks can drive you crazy trying to find the
cause of the problem. The following are a few suggestions of the most
common reasons why water leakage occurs.
1... Improperly installed
A window air conditioner must be installed so that it's slightly lower at the rear than the
front. This allows the water being removed from the room to drain to the
back of the machine. A difference of one inch is sufficient. This is
always the first thing to check. Many are improperly installed in the
haste to get relief from the heat. If installed too low at front the
water will flow into the room rather than outside. If installed too low
at rear, water can roll out the front edges before it has a chance to
exit towards the rear drain.
2... Icing up
Water being de-humidified from the room air can turn to ice if there are problems with the
cooling system. There are many reasons for an air conditioner to produce
ice. Remove front grille while machine is operating. If ice is present
on the cooling coil you will probably need service. For more information
about icing up see our article, ' Why
window Air Conditioners Ice up'.
3... Air leakage around air conditioner
If warm air from outdoors is able to enter around the air conditioner it will
encounter cooler, dryer air. When they meet condensation will occur. If
water is leaking from front of air conditioner inspect area to see if dripping
from body of machine, or water droplets clinging to front area. To test,
operate machine for 30 minutes and then use flashlight to check under
front edge of base. Small water droplets here indicate an air leakage
problem. Add foam insulation to stop warm air from infiltrating.
4... Drain hole blocked
The rear of air conditioner base has a drain hole or
notch to allow water
to escape. If it becomes blocked water can back up. To test, operate
machine for 30 minutes and then inspect if draining properly at rear.
The base should contain a substantial amount of water, but not to the
point where the whole base is completely full of water. If appears
blocked use a small piece of wood (a popsicle stick or wooden skewer
works well) to open drain hole at rear of metal
base. CAUTION: Never be tempted to drill holes into the air conditioner
body to relieve water pooling. Severe damage can result.
5... Internal drains blocked
There are small passageways that allow water to drain from front of air
conditioner to the rear. If they become blocked water will pool at front
of machine and overflow onto floor. If this happens the air conditioner
will require removal from window and servicing. To test, operate
machine for 30 minutes and then remove front filter and plastic cowling.
If front of base completely full of water, but little dropping from rear
of machine onto ground, suspect blocked passageways.
6...
Outside
temperature too cold
This problem is more common near the end of cooling season. If outside temperatures drops
below 60 degrees Fahrenheit at night the cooling coil may ice up. If no
leakage at bedtime but water in front of machine in morning, suspect
this problem. If this problem suspected turn off machine before bedtime
and restart as day warms. Alternately, operate machine at night with
selector switch in ‘fan only’ position. This will circulate room air
during night, but not allow cooling and the subsequent water leakage.
By
Donald Grummett
Copyright © 2006 Donald
Grummett. All rights reserved
top
of page
|