Something’s amiss if you see a puddle near your AC unit
Central air conditioners don't use water in your home because they rely on refrigerant to cool air and transfer heat outside.
Condensation from your AC unit forms when hot, humid air passes over cold evaporator coils, leaving moisture that collects in the drain pan.
Ice buildup on evaporator coils from dirty filters or fan issues melts and creates puddles, signaling your unit needs immediate attention.
Hiring a local air conditioning professional provides reliable support for refrigerant leaks, frozen coils, and drain pan alignment to keep your system running smoothly.
In the heat of the summer, you may have noticed a puddle of water near your air conditioner. But do air conditioners use water? Central air conditioning systems aren’t hooked up to a water line and do not use water to operate. That puddle could be caused by condensation, a refrigerant leak, or something else. Learn more about how your air conditioner functions, common reasons for puddles near your unit, and when it’s time to call a pro to service your air conditioner.
Air conditioning is part of your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (commonly referred to as an HVAC system). AC units remove heat from the air inside your home and pump it outside.
Central AC units don’t use water but instead use a liquid called refrigerant which helps cool the air inside and transfer heat outside.
Here’s the air conditioning process:
Warm indoor air is drawn in from the air ducts and blows over the cold evaporator coils full of refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the air; this cools the air inside your home and turns the refrigerant from a liquid to a gas.
The refrigerant travels to the compressor and then the condenser, both located outside your home. During this process, the refrigerant releases the heat it absorbed inside your home. The heat is absorbed by the outdoor air, and the temperature of the refrigerant goes down until it returns to a liquid state.
The liquid refrigerant travels back to the evaporator inside your home, and the cycle continues.
Air conditioners may not use water, but you may notice a puddle of water near your unit from time to time. Here are the most common explanations why your AC has a puddle nearby:
By removing heat from the air inside your home, your AC unit also removes humidity in the air. As the hot air passes through the AC’s coils, some condensation may be left behind. Units have a drain pan to collect this condensation, but if the pan isn’t correctly aligned or humidity levels are particularly high in your home, you may notice a small puddle of water near your AC.
If your air conditioner has a dirty filter or has issues with the fan, this could cause the evaporator coils to freeze. As the ice melts, it can lead to water leaking from your unit. A refrigerant leak can also cause this issue.
If your air conditioner was incorrectly installed and components aren’t lining up right, the unit may not be able to effectively cool the air or drain condensation, leading to leaks and puddles.
As air conditioners age, parts and components may wear out, leading to small leaks around the unit. An older system may have degraded seals or a clogged condensate line. If your unit is 20 years old or more, thoroughly check on each part to see if old, corroded materials are causing the puddle.
Some air conditioning problems are simple enough to fix on your own, such as changing a dirty filter or cleaning condenser coils. However, more serious issues such as ice in the unit or a faulty blower motor means it’s time to call an air conditioning pro near you to handle the issue.
To prevent future problems and prolong your AC unit’s life, do regular maintenance for your air conditioner, such as cleaning coils and the condensate pump and clearing away debris. But if you’d prefer to have an expert eye on your unit, schedule a yearly maintenance checkup from a pro to stay on top of it. Most air conditioning units should last between 10 and 20 years with regular maintenance.
Great company! Price was competitive, technician showed up on time and completed the job (exterior electric Radon fan replacement) quickly. Would hire them again.
MaGen Property Inspections and Radon MitigationAs usual with ECO, tech Jordan was outstanding, very professional, very knowledgeable, and very thorough with repairs made to tankless water heaters. Very highly recommend ECO!!!
Eco Plumbers, Electricians, and HVAC TechniciansRaven and crew does absolutely fantastic job. They are very professional if any concerns were to occur with any of her work she always took responsibility and finished out with a great job. I have worked with her business for a year and have always been satisfied. Very trusted business and...
Creations of Transformation LLCI would recommend this company to anyone! He showed up on time, was friendly, completed a very difficult repair on our dryer vent cover, was responsive, and pricing was extremely fair and competitive. I would have him back to do any of our repairs or cleanings without hesitation!
U.S.A. Dryer Vent, LLCAce Fireplace Services' chimney sweep service is truly exceptional. They used advanced technology to ensure a thorough cleaning process, and my chimney has never looked better. I highly recommend their services.
Ace Fireplace ServicesThe technician was very professional and friendly. He answered all my questions and was very thorough. He left the fireplace area very clean . He inspected from the roof and advised me as to other work that might need to be done. There was no pressure there. I was very satisfied with the...
Supreme brick & chimneyExcellent experience with hiring Tether House to Mount our 77’ Samsung TV in our bedroom. Fast, friendly, and knowledgeable. Highly recommend.
Tether HouseOn time, clean and finished fast. Windows seem sturdy and the finish is good. Caulking was done with no smudges. Would recommend.
Window Depot USA of Central OhioGreat job...edging and pre clean up went well with a great job with seal coat. Friendly, efficient and professional.
All Star Paving and SealingGood workers and they do a good job.
Mira ConstructionFrom average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
Water-cooled air conditioners use water in the cooling process of your air conditioner. Primarily used in larger buildings, these energy-efficient AC units can also be used in residential areas. Read on to learn more about these air conditioners.
The dog days of summer are never far away, and when you’re looking to escape those soaring temperatures, a ventless, portable air conditioner may be just the ticket. But what, exactly, are they? And what should you know before buying one?
Depending on whether your model dehumidifies, you may need to add or remove water from your portable air conditioner to keep a room cool.
How do portable air conditioners work? Like other types of AC units, they pull in and cool air, but they need a place to vent the exhaust. Learn more.
Keep your home perfectly cool during the warm months. Learn about nine types of air conditioners and how to choose the right one for your home.
Does shutting off water affect AC? Not directly, but it will mess with the heater. Here's what to expect after the water comes back on.
