What Does it Mean When Your Portable Air Conditioner Leaks Water?

Humidity

• Portable air conditioner units feature a drainpipe or drain pan inside of the unit. The drain pan captures humidity that has accumulated within the unit, due to use of the "Dry" function. The "Dry" function leeches moisture from the air and evaporates it. The evaporated liquid is either expelled through the drainage ducts of the unit to the outdoors, or, if the unit features no ducts, the liquid is stored in a temporary drain pan or drainpipe inside the unit. The drain pan needs to be emptied when full to avoid leakage.

Drain Cap and Plunger

• The lower back side of a portable air conditioner houses the drainpipe, which is fitted with a rubber plunger and a drain cap that screws on to hold the plunger in place. If the plunger hasn't been inserted correctly after the unit has been drained, fluid might leak through the back of the unit. To ensure that the plunger is securely inserted into the drainpipe, confirm that the drainpipe cap is properly screwed on.

Overflow

• If the portable air conditioner drain pan or drainpipe is full and hasn't been emptied in a while, it's possible that the liquid held in the internal drain pan will spill over and leak onto the floor. Drain the drainpipe when full or after every use of the "Dry" cycle. Unplug the air conditioner, carry the entire unit to a drainage area, such as grass or a bathtub, remove the drainpipe cap and plunger from the lower back of the unit, and tip the unit toward the drainpipe until all the liquid is drained. Replace the plunger and cap and plug the unit back in.

Hole

• If the unit continues to leak after it's been drained and it's plunger and screw cap are properly secured, it's possible the drain pan or drainpipe might have a hole, causing the liquid to leak constantly during each "Dry" cycle.

Power

• Some units feature sensors, which cause the power to shut off as a safety measure when a leak is detected. Therefore, for some units, a leak will mean power failure. If the unit loses power without explanation, an internal leak might be the cause.