Is your LG air conditioner leaking? This article discusses why the unit leaks water or any other fluid, and how to fix the problems.
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LG Air Conditioner Leaking Water – How to Fix
Each LG air conditioner type has different reasons it leaks. Let us look at each type, why it leaks, and how to fix each possible cause.
Portable Air Conditioner
If your LG portable air conditioner is leaking water, check the location of the leak. If it is leaking from the bottom, ensure the unit is level. Improper leveling will cause the water in the collection tank to leak out, especially when the day is hot and humid. Humid weather tends to cause excess condensation, more than usual.
Take a look under the unit to ensure it is not sitting on any object. If there is a carpet or rug under it, it must be smooth and not ruffled. The wheels must also be properly fixed to the unit if it has wheels. You may have to move the unit a little to make some adjustments.
Next, check the drain plug and cap to ensure they are tightly fixed to cover the hole. Loosely or incorrectly covering the drain will allow water to leak from the unit. If you had to uncover the drain to empty the collection tank, you may have to reopen it and cover it again, this time making sure the plug and cap are tight. And if they do not work anymore, replace them.
Consider using a drain hose to channel water out of the unit instead of covering the drain. That way, the water collection tank never fills up, needing manual emptying. But before purchasing a drain hose, know the diameter of the hole so that you will get a corresponding size. Your user manual has the exact hose size that the drain needs.
When you fix the hose to the drain, secure it with a clamp to prevent it from pulling out at any point. And place the loose end of the hose into a pan, floor drain, or outside the house. Ensure it is securely fastened to the outlet so that it does not drain water all over your floor and damage property.
However, contact LG Support Center to report the issue and request service if the unit continues to leak after taking these measures. There may be a fault or opening that needs sealing.
When The Unit Leaks Water from the Top
If you find that the portable air conditioner seems to be leaking water from the top, be aware that it is part of the normal process. Compare it to pouring a glass of cold water on a hot day; condensation appears on the outside of the glass, even though it is not leaking. When the unit releases cold air and it meets warm air, the moisture in the warm air condenses on the unit’s vents. You will notice that it happens more on hot days.
You can reduce the seeming leakage of water from the top vents by turning on the air conditioner during the day and leaving it running. Do not switch it off; just set it to a higher temperature to reduce energy consumption. As long as it is set to a temperature that can cool the room over time, the humidity and condensation on the vents will considerably reduce.
Window Air Conditioner
Typically, this unit must have about a quarter or half an inch of water for normal operation. When water condenses during operation, it collects in a pan at the base of the unit. From the pan, the water drains outside.
But if the unit is leaking water inside your house, the base pan may be clogged with dirt. If there is a significant amount of debris in the pan, it will prevent water from flowing out through the drain. Consequently, the water will back up and leak into the house. Therefore, clean the pan and ensure nothing is obstructing the drainage.
If there is excess water stored in the unit because of high humidity, you need to drain it. Pull the drain cap out and insert the drain pipe into the bottom back hole of the overflowing pan. Carefully push the pipe down as you insert it into the hole, ensuring you steer clear of the condenser fins. Now, clear any debris in the hole to ensure proper drainage.
If you can, slide the unit out of its position in the window and properly clean the base pan. This is the recommendation for such a unit to ensure a thorough cleaning.
While cleaning the pan, check to see if the air conditioner is slightly tilted from front to back. During installation, the technician must tilt it a quarter or half an inch from the front to the back to encourage proper water drainage. Otherwise, the water will store, overflow, and leak into your house. If it seems the unit is not slanted, contact the installation technician to make necessary corrections.
Water Leaking Outside
Water draining from the air conditioner to the outside of your house is normal. It means the unit is working as it should and excess water is draining in the proper place. You will notice excess drainage of water if the weather is particularly hot and humid. That is because excess moisture collects in the pan and flows out.
When you should be concerned is if the air conditioner is not draining water outside as it should, especially if the day is humid. Clean the base pan of dirt and debris, and clear the drain line of dirt.
Water Leaking from the Vents
Water spewing from the vents of the air conditioner is not leakage. It happens if there is excess humidity and the air from the unit is too cold. The cold air causes the moisture in the warm air to condense as soon as they meet. The water from the vents is condensate and will stop when the humidity drops.
The water may also be from the base pan. The circulation fan is slinging water from the pan out through the vents. While it is nothing to worry about, you should consider checking the pan to ensure drainage. High humidity or too much rain can cause the condensate in the pan to reach a level high enough for the fan to access. However, it should also drain fast enough to reduce the frequency of the occurrence.
Note: These same steps apply if your air conditioner is a through-the-wall type.
Split/Ductless Air Conditioner
As with the others, the drain line may be clogged. Over time, dirt will find its way into the drain line and clog it, preventing water from flowing out of the unit. And when the drain pan under the evaporator coil fills up, it overflows and leaks out into the house. Also, the drain pan may be cracked or rusted.
Open the front panel of the inside unit; you may need to unmount some screws. Remove the panel and look to the right side under the coil; you will see the pan. Inspect the pan and if it is damaged or rusted, replace it or have a professional technician do the job.
But if it is in good working condition but overflowing, empty it and check the drain line. Use a wet/dry vacuum to clear the line. If you do not have one, you can always rent from a hardware store. You can opt to use a water and bleach or a vinegar solution to clean the line. Mix a cup of bleach into a gallon of water and pour it into the line until it flushes out the debris.
1. Check the Filter
When the filter is excessively dirty, it causes the drain pan to clog and the evaporator coil to freeze. It is crucial to clean the filter every two weeks or at most, every month. That way, dirt does not easily find its way into the drain pan and line.
2. Check the Refrigerant
An inadequate amount of refrigerant in the system can also cause leakage of water. Without enough refrigerant, the pressure within the system drops. As a result, the evaporator coil freezes and creates a pool of water when the ice melts.
Since you cannot check the level of the refrigerant in the system, you will need the services of a professional to check for possible leaks and recharge the system if necessary. Not only will it stop water leakage but it will also improve the cooling capacity of the unit.
For split or ductless air conditioners, contact LG Support Center for information on how to check your unit if it is leaking water. If the unit requires service, the company can send a technician for the job.
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LG Air Conditioner Gas Leak – Solved
An air conditioner with a gas leak needs immediate attention. While refrigerant, which is the gas that an air conditioner uses, does not have color or odor, you may suspect a leak if the air conditioner stops cooling as it should. Also, a significant increase in electricity bills may point to a gas leak since the compressor will constantly run in a bid to maintain a cool temperature.
Therefore, disconnect the air conditioner from electric power and turn off the dedicated circuit breaker. Next, ventilate the area by opening doors and windows. Ensure there is proper cross ventilation before calling an HVAC technician to check the unit and add refrigerant if necessary.
Typically, an air conditioner does not need a frequent recharge with refrigerant. The closed system means the gas flows through the system and is recycled. The only time you will need a recharge is if there is a leak. And you must ensure you find professional help immediately. Also, check yourself in the event of inhaling too much gas. Since it is odorless, you may not notice it on time.
Recap
Find a permanent solution to the problem of an LG air conditioner leaking water or gas. This article details possible solutions to the problem, which are straightforward. Check the condensate drain line, drain pan, air filter, and even refrigerant level if your LG air conditioner is leaking. One or more of these causes the problem.
However, use professional help to sort out leakage problems if fixing them yourself is challenging. Contact LG or hire an independent technician for the job.