A leaking AC doesn't just affect its performance. It can also lead to indoor air quality issues like microbial growth.

I lived in Houston, Texas for about 12 years in the 1990s and early aughts. Houston remains one of my favorite cities for its diversity, arts and music scenes (I worked at the Alley Theatre) and staunch resistance to any kind of residential or business zoning laws. The former two may surprise someone who has never been there, but Houston is much more than rich oil executives and cowboy boots.

It’s also built on a swamp and has the kind of hot, humid weather that requires year-round air conditioning and an army of ceiling fans. While there, I lived in a few different places and owned three houses (not at the same time), each with either window AC units or central HVAC systems (of varying ages and efficiencies). As any homeowner on a budget knows, you learn a lot about home repair and maintenance through trial, error and lots of cursing. 

AC units can develop a range of problems and issues when not maintained and serviced regularly, some of which can cause water leakage. There are also some issues that can develop despite regular maintenance which can also result in leaking water.

“Refrigerant leaks, for instance, can occur at any time,” says Traci Fournier, VP of Operations at One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning. Refrigerant helps transfer heat and humidity out of your home, cooling the space. 

“If your system has a refrigerant leak, it will need to be professionally patched and recharged,” said Fournier.

This isn’t the only issue that can cause your AC to leak, though. As well as Fournier, I also talked to Glenn Wiseman, certified technician and sales manager at Top Hat Home Comfort Services, a home improvement, maintenance and repair services company in Ontario, Canada and Michael Rubino, a mold and air quality expert, environmental wellness advocate, and founder of HomeCleanse, a mold remediation company that also studies indoor air quality, about air conditioners and what might be causing yours to leak. 

Common reasons for AC water leakage

Ideally, have your system serviced at least once a year during which an AC tech will check for leaks as well as examine the entire shebang to catch any other problems that might exist. If you live somewhere with weather like Houston, you may want to service your unit twice a year.  Here are some common reasons your AC may leak water.

Read the full article here: https://time.com/shopping/article/why-is-my-ac-leaking-water/