4 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner is Leaking Water - Polar Bear
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4 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner is Leaking Water

Husband and wife sitting on couch frowning because of leaking AC. Wife holding pot to catch leaking water while husband is on the phone with a Polar Bear AC technician.

Living with a broken AC is not an option in the Cayman Islands. When the outdoor temperatures hit triple digits, you need the air conditioner to work at full capacity so that you, your family members, and your furry friends can be comfortable and safe. 

A leaking air conditioner is a big problem — one that you should get fixed as soon as possible! Below, we’ll cover the common reasons why your air conditioner is leaking and possible solutions. 

How Water Forms in the Air Conditioner

Before we jump into why your air conditioner is leaking water, it’s important to understand the basics — where does the water come from?

AC systems are comprised of two units, the indoor air handler and the outdoor condenser, that work in tandem to keep you and your family comfortable all year long. The air handler is responsible for absorbing heat from the warm air in your house. As the warm air blows over the cold evaporator coils (located inside the air handler), it creates condensation. This moisture drips into the drain pan and exits your house via the condensate drain line

Depending on how humid your indoor climate is and how long the AC runs, there could be as much as 20 gallons of water produced from your indoor air conditioning unit daily. If you don’t fix your leaking air conditioner soon, you might find yourself dealing with unwanted water damage

With that said, let’s dive into the four most common reasons why air conditioners leak water — and how you can solve the issue!

Why Is Your Air Conditioner Leaking Water?

Clogged Condensate Line

The most common cause of an AC leaking water is a clogged condensate line. 

The condensate line drains water to prevent the drain pan from overflowing. However, these pipes can be blocked by bacteria, rust, or dirt. Sometimes little critters climb into the pipe from outside and get stuck! When any of these blockages occur, drainage will back up and leak from the air conditioner inside your home. 

SOLUTION: You can try using a wet/dry vacuum to remove whatever is clogging the condensate line. If this doesn’t work, schedule an AC repair service. Professional technicians have access to commercial-grade tools that can remove the blockage and free up the drain pipe and confirm the drain was designed and installed correctly.

Dirty Air Filter

Think of all the invisible contaminants polluting your indoor air. Dust, mold spores, pollen, pet dander, and other airborne debris all get trapped in your HVAC system’s air filter. Over time, the filter can become so clogged that it actually reduces the amount of air flowing in and out of your air conditioner. 

This not only prevents the air handler from absorbing warm air but also forces the AC system to work harder. As a result, the evaporator coils, which contain cold refrigerant, will freeze over. When the ice melts, the excess water will cause the drain pan to overflow. 

Water leaking from the air conditioner is the least amount of damage caused by frozen evaporator coils. What you really have to worry about is overworking your system to the point of failure. That’s why it’s important to change the air filter regularly!

SOLUTION: Replace the dirty air filter with a clean new one, so the air can start circulating normally. Switch the fan setting on the thermostat to “ON” and the system setting to “OFF.” This will cause the air handler to blow warm air across the frozen coil. After a few hours or possibly days, the evaporator coil will unfreeze completely and stop dripping water. Dump the excess water in the drain pan. Establish a routine for filter replacements to avoid the AC unit leaking water due to a dirty filter in the future. 

Low Refrigerant Levels

If your home is warmer than it should be and there’s water leaking from the air conditioner, there’s a good chance you have a refrigerant leak

Refrigerant is the chemical responsible for the cool air blowing out of your vents. One fun fact about refrigerant is that no matter how many cooling cycles your air conditioner goes through, it doesn’t run out — unless there is a leak. 

As the volume of refrigerant decreases, so does the pressure inside your AC system. And as pressure drops, so does the temperature. This causes the evaporator coils to freeze and leads to a wet mess. 

It’s not always easy to diagnose a refrigerant leak by yourself, but knowing these common warning signs might help: 

  • Poor cooling
  • High humidity levels
  • Long cooling cycles
  • Frozen evaporator coils
  • Bubbling or hissing sounds

SOLUTION: Don’t let this problem linger longer than necessary, as it can cause your air conditioner to fail completely. Get in touch with a professional ASAP for a refrigerator leak repair. 

Damaged Drain Pan (aka Drip Pan)

Is your air conditioner approaching the end of its shelf life? If so, you might have a damaged drain pan

Wear and tear can cause drain pans to either crack or rust. As the rust eats through the metal, holes will form that allow water to leak from the air conditioner. Either way, you will need to replace this part.  

SOLUTION: Contact a professional technician to replace the drain pan. Consider a full air conditioner replacement if your unit is getting older. 

Stop Water Leaking From Your Air Conditioner With Polar Bear

You don’t have to live with a broken air conditioning system — just call Polar Bear to the rescue! We offer emergency AC repairs in the Cayman Islands around the clock to ensure you and your family’s comfort.

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Wendy Yeomans
Wendy Yeomans
14:38 29 Sep 23
The technician, Romaine, was very professional, knowledgeable and friendly. The only downside was it took 2 days before they could come because they were so busy but when they did arrive, their work was extremely good.
Stephen Fairs-Hall
Stephen Fairs-Hall
18:18 12 Sep 23
I have just had a totally professional interaction with 5 of Polar Bear Air Conditioning Staff.They were Octavia, Billy, Dwayne, Genome, and Tony.Octavia and Billy are two of their Service Technicians, Dwayne is a Installation consultant ( I think) and Gerome and Tony are Installation Technicians. All of them were professional, courteous, and extremely knowledgeable!I am very pleased with the work they did.
Chris Krohn
Chris Krohn
16:20 26 Aug 23
They need more technicians as I waited most of a day to have someone come and service my 2 ACs only to be told they wouldn't make it that day. They did reschedule to a Saturday morning and this time the tech was right on time and did a great job. He was very personable and showed me what was wrong and that it had been corrected. The tech deserves 5 stars but Polar Bear lost one for the wait.
CheChe Br
CheChe Br
12:59 19 Aug 23
Roemaine is a very pleasant and professional individual. He was proactive by calling ahead so that I could make arrangements to meet him for this emergency situation. He was punctual, upfront with the diagnosis and costs and explained my options. This made me feel like he was genuinely customer focused. Roemaine and his colleague resolved the issue promptly; big kudos to both of them.
Lynn Kelly
Lynn Kelly
23:31 09 Aug 23
My experience was a great one from start with the receptionist, she was very helpful which I greatly appreciated. Overall I was happy with the professional service provided, Pascale was great, arrived on time and took the time to explain everything. Keep up the good work and thank you very much.
Tonie Brown
Tonie Brown
23:29 05 Aug 23
These guys did a fantastic job, from start to finish. First the team of two introduced themselves and gave an explanation of what work they were going to do.This was a job well done from the correct size unit for the room to a neat installation and oh they even cleaned up before they left. Thanks again Polar Bear for an excellent job.
Carol Peart
Carol Peart
15:38 25 Jul 23
I am so grateful to Polar Bear Air Conditioning. I was smelling a combination of stale cigarette smoke and a wet dog for approximately 2 weeks and then the A/C unit stopped working on a particularly hot Friday night. I called Polar Bear and Mr. Gilbert Smith came out and he would not leave until he got the A/C to start cooling. He gave me his phone number and asked me to call him if it stopped cooling. Mr. Dwayne Ashley called me on Saturday morning and answered all my questions and reassured me that the unit would be fixed ASAP. My initial appointment was set for Tuesday morning but Mr. Dwayne called me on Monday morning to say that there was a cancellation. I had taken my vehicle to be serviced and Mr. Dwayne came to me to get the key to open the apartment. When I returned to the apartment, I was surprised with how well the team had cleaned up. Don't get me wrong, I still swept and mopped the floors, but it looked like what I would regularly do at the end of the week. Mr. Dwayne came by on his way home to collect payment. At the end of the day, I checked all the boxes for Polar Bear and I would highly recommend them to anyone. As a matter of fact, I have already recommended them to two people. Well done Polar Bear and thanks a million.
Anitoaie Alexandra
Anitoaie Alexandra
21:33 07 Jul 23
Romaine was amazing, very professional and responsive.He helped me out on a late friday afternoon and did not leave until my AC was up an running. Amazing, friendly service!The gentleman that he was training was also very professional.
Bibiana Butasova
Bibiana Butasova
22:58 28 Jun 23
Tyrone and Travis are professional, knowledgeable, honest, hard working and very pleasant to deal with. They came to install new thermostat units in the house and spent time to make sure that everything was set up properly and working with no issues. I highly recommend the 'T&T' team to all new and existing customers at Polar Bear. Thank you again for amazing service! Bibi & Nina
veronika harabinova
veronika harabinova
17:01 23 Jun 23
The team from Polar Bear Company came to replace our air conditioning unit, and they did an excellent job. From start to finish, their service was professional and efficient. The technicians arrived on time, well-prepared, and knowledgeable. They handled the installation with expertise, paying attention to detail and ensuring optimal functionality. Not only were they skilled, but they were also friendly and courteous, addressing my questions and concerns with clear explanations. Overall, the Polar Bear Company exceeded my expectations in terms of quality, efficiency, and customer service. I highly recommend their services to anyone in need of AC replacement or related work.
John Thistle
John Thistle
21:32 17 May 23
I recently had my air conditioning unit installed by Polar Bear Air Conditioning in Cayman Kai. I was very pleased with the service I received. The workmen, Jerome, Tony, and Nathan, were all professional and courteous. They arrived on time and were dressed in their uniforms. They laid out carpeting where they would be walking inside the house to avoid leaving debris or making a mess. They worked clean and kept the space tidy. They were polite and provided me a good understanding of the work they completed as well as showed me all pieces of equipment. They emailed me a jpg image of each piece of equipment's information plate so that I could record it in my home management software, as requested.Here are some specific details about the work they did:They installed 3 new high-efficiency air conditioning units that are much more energy-efficient (26 SEER) than my old units.They cleaned and disinfected the air ducts, as well as replaced previously installed flex ducts with rigid duct work that is superior in efficiency and durability.They installed new filters to help keep the air clean and free of allergens.They explained the operation of the new units to me and answered all of my questions.They cleaned up after themselves and left my home in good condition.I would highly recommend Polar Bear Air Conditioning to anyone in need of air conditioning installation or service. They are a professional and reliable company that provides excellent customer service.
Charles Mobley
Charles Mobley
01:19 01 May 23
Our ac stopped working a few weeks ago and Polar Bear sent Roemaine and Tyrone to diagnose the problem. Roemaine and Tyrone very quickly identified the problem and communicated with me. It turns out the best option was replacing the condensing unit which Paul quoted within a matter of minutes and they had expert installation team (Tony and Jerome) complete late in the afternoon with short notice. I’m very happy with their work!
lisa jackson
lisa jackson
21:02 20 Apr 23
Tony and Jerome were such amazing technicians during my first service with Polar Bear AC! They were diligent and very hardworking while also being extremely careful and considerate with the home during an AC unit dismantlement and full new installation of a downstairs home AC unit. They were very clean and tidy as they worked with protective carpet through the house and cleaned up throughly when the job was done. They were an example of best kind of people who taking pride and care as they completed their work. They did such an excellent job, i couldn't recommend them enough for future jobs!!!!! thank you Tony and Jerome for a job well done.
Dana Parsons
Dana Parsons
18:43 30 Mar 23
From booking the appointment, reminder notifications, calls prior to arrival, details of who to expect to the very staff who answer the calls, the service has remained exceptional. Value for money and the quality of work performed has always been at a high standard. Would certainly continue to use their services and recommend them.
jamaal anderson
jamaal anderson
21:49 24 Mar 23
Professional, timely, flexible, great customer service.I wish to thank Polar bear for the excellent service provided for ac work at my apartment. I truly impressed with the attention to detail and quality of work. I would happily recommend them to potential clients.
Rebecca Paull
Rebecca Paull
20:55 27 Feb 23
Octavia is very professional and it's a pleasure to see her when she comes to work on our AC systems. Polar Bear is extremely responsive to emails and phone calls and they provide a great service.
TQ
TQ
17:26 22 Feb 23
I have, over the years been trying to find a reliable, professional A/C maintenance and repair company. I have tried a few. That search is now over after using Polar Bear. Billy and Jerry were absolutely a pleasure to work with. Knowledgeable and professional from the initial diagnosis to the final repair. I highly recommend this company and the team that came to do work on my AC. Tim.
Gill Gordon
Gill Gordon
01:58 27 Jan 23
Polar Bear technicians are always very polite, friendly and professional in their service. Each of their technicians that we have dealt with have been great and they are always super responsive to getting someone out. Pictured are Antony and Billy who completed our recent service 👍
Zichri M.
Zichri M.
22:27 30 Dec 22
Great work. I received an email and also a call from the dispatcher that the tech would be calling me, and sure enough, the tech (Simon) called shortly after that to let me know he was on his way which was very much appreciated. The customer service from all of the team and updates was spot on, and Simon was very thorough and very knowledgeable. He was also very courteous and professional. I rate Polar Bear as the best company in town. Great work!
Glenroy Miller
Glenroy Miller
03:27 24 Dec 22
Tyrone is very knowledgeable and professional, he gave me a step by step update of what he was doing. He also gave advice on how best to protect not only the unit but my family. My wife and I are totally satisfied with the service.
Kyle Roberts
Kyle Roberts
22:50 23 Dec 22
Polar Bear's service and response was amazing! Nicole who answered my phone call and scheduled me was extremely friendly, accommodating and knowledgeable! The Technician assigned to me was Simon and he was also extremely friendly and very knowledgeable. Within a minute of looking at my system he knew what the errors and issues were! He was able to fix one of the two problems that day, and then came scheduled and came the following day to fix the remaining issue. He was perfectly on time and the courtesy call before arrival both times before arriving was a welcome touch as it made sure that I was ready.Will continue using polar bear for all my HVAC needs! 5*
Kayla Shibli
Kayla Shibli
01:09 05 Oct 22
My experience with Polar Bear has been awesome!!!! From the beginning, the office staff were so professional and kind, then receiving my AC quote, the gentleman has been very prompt in his response time—, the kind of employee that puts customer first and has such a nice and an approachable attitude, very patient in answering my questions and providing guidance as required by me- customer focus completely, then as if that wasn’t enough to convince me to move my AC maintenance and installation to Polar Bear; the technicians that attended to my AC installation provided such excellent service— what stood out was how they used a carpet that was placed on my floor to avoid making any mess on my floor and whatever mess they did make, the technician used their broom to remove it. I know this message is long but I really wanted to express my THANK YOU and appreciation for such excellent customer service that I’ve experienced by Polar Bear — you have won me as a customer!! THANK YOU! Keep up the excellent customer service!!! Looking forward to building a relationship with you as a new customer.
Robert L White
Robert L White
11:48 15 Aug 22
Olivia and Demitri very professional , competent and are delightful people! She came by and diagnosed some issues with our AC system . I am reviewing your estimate at this time..I truly enjoyed meeting them. They both real assets to your Company!Rob
Omari Rankine
Omari Rankine
04:58 10 Jul 22
I am very pleased with the service that was provided by Polar Bear. I had an issue where the ac was not working at one of my rental properties after hours on a weekend. Rohan came all the way out to East End at 10pm and worked on the issue to get the system back up and running. He was very thorough and explained the issue in detail, and the measures I needed to take to prevent it from reoccurring. Excellent customer service
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