A portable air conditioner is great for cooling small spaces where a window air conditioner or a wall-mounted air conditioner cannot be installed. Many portable air conditioners are used in place of permanent units, especially in rented apartment complexes where homeowners cannot drill into walls.

However, they can have problems such as water leaks, and dirty filters that need to be addressed immediately. Problems with portable units should be addressed immediately as portable AC's are difficult to repair.

5 Causes of a Portable AC Leaking Water

Reason #1 Full Drip Pan

Portable air conditioners have a drip pan or drip tray that catches all the condensate that collects around the unit. This water drainage connects to the drain line, and can fill up over time. A full drip pan is easy to fix. Simply unplug the AC unit, and drain out the water that accumulated in the catch tray. This should immediately fix the problem.

Also read: AC Drain Pan Replacement: A Complete Guide on Cost

However, if the problem persists, you may need to look into other causes for your portable air conditioner leaking water. A full drip tray can also cause other problems, such as weird smells, mold, and bacterial growth in your portable air conditioner.

Reason #2 Dirty Air Filter

Even portable AC's have air filters that can clog up over time as you continue to use the unit. As air flow becomes restricted, your portable AC would have difficulties getting air to circulate around the unit. When this happens, moisture around your air conditioner would ice up, melt, and cause the water leaking out of your unit.

Cleaning your air conditioner filter can be done at home. Simply run the filter under tap water, and brush out the grime with some soap. Alternatively, you can use a vacuum cleaner to remove loose dust for a quick clean.

Reason #3 Clogged Drain Line

Along with a dirty air filter, the drain hose of your air conditioner can be clogged with accumulated dirt, debris, or even mold, causing condensate to back up into your unit, which then causes water leakage. The water cannot travel to the drip pan, and would instead leak through the vents of your portable air conditioner.

To clean the clogged drain hose, unplug the unit and check the drain line. Use a long stick, like a chopstick or a screwdriver, to carefully dislodge the clog. Run water through the line to rinse out the debris, and place the drain hose back into your air conditioning unit. This should immediately fix the problem.

Reason #4 Faulty Condensate Pump

The condensate pump is what pushes the accumulated moisture out of the portable AC, so it is an essential part of keeping air conditioners dry and working properly. A faulty pump would keep the moisture in, causing accumulated water to drip out through the unit.

You will need to bring the faulty air conditioner to be checked out by our HVAC technicians to fix the problem. Our technicians are well-versed in diagnosing and fixing problems with portable AC units, so they will be able to find a fix or replacement for your condensate pump.

Reason #5 Loose Drain Plug

A loose drain cap or plug won't hold water in, and will start to leak out water from your unit as it cannot sufficiently keep your AC unit water tight. Check your drain cap for any drips, and tighten or fasten the plug as much as you can to keep it from leaking water out of your portable air conditioning units.

3 Tips to Prevent a Portable Air Conditioner from Leaking Water

Tip #1 General Cleaning

General cleaning, chemical wash, and chemical overhaul are just some of the cleaning services we offer at Luce Aircon. These are meant to upkeep your air conditioner regardless of the unit and model type, so you can ensure your appliance is in good working condition for a longer period of time. Schedule a general cleaning once every 4-6 months for a complete clean!

Tip #2 Routine Maintenance

Like general cleaning, routine maintenance is a must for all models and types of air conditioners. Portable air conditioners are more difficult to repair, and not all aircon companies would be able to repair portable units. Routine maintenance, which can be done by our HVAC technicians, will be able to determine weak points in your unit, and fix them immediately.

Tip #3 Fix Issues Immediately

Don't dilly-dally when it comes to aircon issues. That water leakage may be a small inconvenience for you now, but as time goes on, it can turn into bigger problems like mold and bacterial growth, water damage, and complete unit shutdown. Fix issues immediately, as our professional aircon technicians can solve your problem quickly and efficiently.

Look for Professional Services

For any air conditioning services, we got you covered! We offer portable aircon cleaning, so you don't need to worry about the leaking in your portable unit. Let our technicians handle your problem so you can relax and enjoy that cool breeze longer.

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Check out our article on ac condenser leak!