Or is just some sort of condensation line clogged. The A/C is kind of working but struggling. Has been leaking for a bit but had not been in that area of the basement for a few days so not sure how long.
Water appears to be leaking from this copper line and running down the inside unit and into the floor.

Is that copper line your refrigerant? Do you have a whole home humidifier? How old is the unit?

Looks like your condensate line is clogged or partially clogged. Is the condensate pump still pumping anything out? Line more than likely needs to be flushed/blown out. Condensate pump could be weak/dead also.

^^^ Yep.

If it is not oily, then it likely is not refrigerant leaking, but more likely condensation on the cold copper and the green corrosion points to that being the case.

You may still be low on refrigerant, (the struggling part) and having an AC tech do a "sniff" test to locate the leak.

If the unit is running continuously and not cooling, pull the evaporator coil access cover off the air handler and see if it is covered in ice.

If the leak is small enough, there is a "leak seal" that can be used, and since it stays suspended in the refrigerant, it will help if any other leaks develop.

That can buy you time to budget for a replacement air handler or evaporator. (typically the component that starts leaking from pinholes, as the evaporators suffer from galvanic corrosion, especially if they have a lot of standing water on the lower areas.)

Your condensate line is the white PVC on the left, and if it is not clear, you will have a lot of water overflowing the drip moat around the bottom of the evaporation coils, and likely all around the base of the air handler.

I know nothing about these things so I guess I’ll get someone to check it out in the AM.

The unit is 16 years old. We had to replace the upstairs unit 2 summers ago. So I have money set aside for this one but was trying to keep it running as long as possible.
Hopefully a simple fix.

Not an expert but I have repaired my AC more than once.

It looks like corrosion you get from water. I would get it looked at though.

The good news is that replacing a 16 year old unit should result in lower power bills to help offset the bill for replacing the unit.

I just want to get one more year out of it.....

You may be able to limp it along a little while longer, but 16 years is a good run for a HVAC system.

When the HVAC tech comes out he will tell you that the expected life of the unit is one year less than yours has been installed.

We’ll see.
I shut it off for the night since it is downstairs and have the dehumidifier running to dry the carpet.

The upstairs unit cost my $3,500 two years ago. I am bracing.

Clean the drain line or just repipe it. When it gets plugged up, water will built up in the pan and start leaking over the top of the pan, the valley between the two red plugs.

16 yrs old, should have at least a few years left in it.

Struggling because the water (humidity) can't drain away.
And clean air filter?

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
Looks like your condensate line is clogged or partially clogged.
<snip>

My guess too – I had a similar leak. My HVAC guy fixed it by blowing out the drain line with compressed air. He also advised me to change the filter more often to reduce the incidence of this problem.

quote:

Originally posted by Pipe Smoker:

quote:

Originally posted by PowerSurge:
Looks like your condensate line is clogged or partially clogged.
<snip>

My guess too – I had a similar leak. My HVAC guy fixed it by blowing out the drain line with compressed air. He also advised me to change the filter more often to reduce the incidence of this problem.

This. Or pouring white vinegar in the pan from time to time will help keep the line clear. A shopvac that fits tight on the drain pipe outside usually clears them (if you don't have a pump to clear the condensate)

Any updates??

quote:

Originally posted by ZSMICHAEL:
Any updates??

Still waiting. I called this morning and got put on the call when we are headed your way schedule. So probablygot tacked on at the end of the day for someone who wants a little OT I am guessing.

Ok hope you hear soon. Here they work round the clock this time of year.

Clogged drain line.
Cleared the clog, cleaned the coils, added some microbial tablets, and inspected the system. He is coming back tomorrow to install a float switch since the basement is finished.
$225 seems acceptable to me.
I also now have a better idea of how the system works. So I can deal with a clog myself in the future.

That is pretty good news!

[quote]Clogged drain line.
Cleared the clog, cleaned the coils, added some microbial tablets, and inspected the system. He is coming back tomorrow to install a float switch since the basement is finished.
$225 seems acceptable to me.
I also now have a better idea of how the system works. So I can deal with a clog myself in the future.
 
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I have dealt with a clogged drain line before. Those tablets help along with regular filter changes.