Air Conditioners Cause Condensation

• The primary purpose of an air conditioner is to properly "condition" the air. In general, this process calls for both cooling the air and removing excess humidity. As the air conditioner performs its cooling function, it compresses air and passes it through a series of cooling processes to produce chilled, dry air which is then blown out the machine's vents. The water removed from the air, both by the machine's built-in dehumidifier and by the cooling process, collects on the air conditioner's cooling coil.
  
  

Air Conditioners Reuse Water

• Humidity in the preconditioned air condenses around the air conditioner's cooling coil during the cooling and dehumidification processes. When the water forms, it drips down the cooling coil and collects in the base of the air conditioner. From there, it follows a series of channels designed specifically for handling water until it arrives at the back of the machine. From there, some water is reclaimed by the air conditioning unit and used to cool the machine's heating coil. The remaining water simply drips to the ground.
  
  

Improper Installation Can Exascerbate Leaks

• While some water leakage from air conditioning units is normal, some installation or mechanical issues can dramatically increase the amount of water produced. An air conditioner that is installed with one side slightly lower than the other, for example, is likely to leak considerably more water. Likewise, if the air conditioner's built-in drains become plugged, water may collect until it either leaks from other parts of the machine or damages some mechanical functions. Finally, air conditioners that freeze on the cooling coil may leak excessively when the frozen water melts.