Is Your Air Conditioning Leaking Water? Here Are 8 Possible Reasons Why

An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by pulling heat and humidity from the air. As the AC extracts humidity from the air, it produces condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is usually sent to a drain pan and routed through piping into your home’s drain system.

Unfortunately, a malfunction or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become backed up. When this happens, water backs up in the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then leak into your home. This is especially troublesome if your furnace or air handler is located in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In most homes, building codes require a secondary or safety drain pan that is located underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan has piping that is directed to the outside of the home. Most of the time, the outlet of the pipe is placed above the outside of a window so it’s easily noticeable if water starts draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water spilling from piping on the outside of your home, this is often evidence the primary drain is backed up and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most frequent explanations for why your AC is leaking water and how to resolve the issue. Some homes will also possess a safety device that will automatically shut off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling until the drain is cleared of any obstructions. Regardless, if you discover water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to “off” to avoid any additional water damage and reach out to a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners often demand professional support, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. We happily deliver Expert air conditioning repair across the U.S., backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.*

1. Condensate Drain Is Blocked

When hot, humid air moves over the evaporator coil, water collects on the chilly metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan beneath the indoor coil inside the furnace or air handler. As the cooling sequence takes place, the condensate flows out of the pan and into drain piping before the pan fills up.

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris can clog the drain. This prevents the water from flowing away correctly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to make sure it’s done properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will quickly shut off your AC if the drain becomes backed up again later on, thus minimizing water damage within your home. Of course, routine maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clean and unhindered.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While not very common, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This may occur if someone is working close to the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Check your AC to see if the drain line is still connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to take care of this issue as soon as possible. Arrange an appointment with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to adequately drain the water. These pumps are compulsory when the home’s drain system is found above the AC unit. Even if the drain is unobstructed, water may build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is damaged. First, determine that the pump is still powered. If that’s not the case, the AC leak could be due to a broken condensate pump. You should call an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Damaged

If you see small drips instead of a larger puddle nearby the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be bouncing off the evaporator coil instead of properly flowing into the drain pan and condensate line. This can happen if the coils are soiled, or if holes in the insulation around the coils redirect the water. The easiest approach to keep the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing membership.

5. Low Refrigerant Level

If you discover a leak and the AC isn’t cooling like it’s supposed to, the refrigerant level may be lacking thanks to a leak. Air conditioners require refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it looked at thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is very beneficial for the longevity of your unit. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils could freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Despite some expectations, your AC does not need to be recharged unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only needed when a leak happens within the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing right away to take care of AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter has to be changed regularly to encourage adequate airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils could become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to collect in the drain pan—potentially causing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem persists, more repairs will sometimes be the best option. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are happy to serve you, ensuring the problem gets solved.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are made to run during warm weather. Running your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or below will sometimes cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and possibly result in an overflow thanks to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem.

8. Damaged Drip Pan

Air conditioners are manufactured to last, but nothing survives forever. If you possess an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan might be damaged or corroded due to normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak could appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working properly.

Our Experts Can Handle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can repair the damage. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again right away.

Our technicians are highly trained, knowledgeable and certified to perform quality work. We have full confidence in our repairs—in fact, we back up everything we perform with a one-year 100% Satisfaction Guarantee!*

We’ll even recommend a worry-free membership plan. This will sometimes help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, promptly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cooler.