An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by extracting heat and humidity from the air. As the AC extracts humidity from the air, it generates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is usually sent to a drain pan and moved through piping into your home’s drain system.
A byproduct of this process, an error or sludge buildup may cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water floods the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is particularly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is located in the attic or above a finished ceiling.
In most homes, local codes necessitate a secondary or safety drain pan that is put underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan uses piping that is routed to the outside of the home. In general, the outlet of the pipe is found above the outside of a window so it’s quickly noticeable if water is draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water leaking from piping on the outside of your home, this is likely evidence the primary drain is backed up and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.
Here are the most frequent reasons for why your AC is leaking water and how to repair the issue. Some homes will also use a safety device that can automatically switch off your AC in the event the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling until the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you spot water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to "off" to avoid any additional water damage and get in touch with a Comfortech Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.
Leaking air conditioners often require professional repairs, which is why we’re here to assist you at Comfortech Service Experts . We proudly deliver Expert air conditioning repair across North America, backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.*
1. Condensate Drain Is Blocked
When hot, humid air moves over the evaporator coil, water forms on the cold metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan underneath the indoor coil within 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 might clog the drain. This stops the water from draining away properly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Comfortech Service Experts to ensure it’s completed properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also install a safety device that will quickly switch off your AC just in case the drain becomes blocked again later on, thus avoiding water damage inside your home. Of course, consistent maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clean and unhampered.
2. Drain Line Is Disconnected
While uncommon, the drain line connection to the drain pan can become loose or disconnected. This can be the cause if someone is working around the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line is disconnected from the pan. Check your AC to see if the drain line is still fully connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we encourage calling an HVAC technician to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Make an appointment with Comfortech Service Experts today.
3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working
Some air conditioners require a condensate pump to efficiently drain the water. These pumps are compulsory when the home’s drain system is put above the AC unit. Even if the drain is free of obstructions, water might back up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is damaged. First, make sure that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the case, the AC leak might be due to a broken condensate pump. You should call an air conditioning contractor like Comfortech Service Experts to resolve the issue.
4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Damaged
If you see little drips in favor of a larger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be dripping off the evaporator coil rather than properly moving into the drain pan and condensate line. This can happen if the coils are grimy, or if holes in the insulation protecting the coils redirect the water. The easiest approach to prevent the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Comfortech Service Experts membership.
5. Low Refrigerant Level
If you find a leak and the AC isn't cooling well, the refrigerant level may be lacking due to a leak. Air conditioners count on refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it checked thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is very useful for the working condition of your unit. Without enough 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 replenished unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only needed when a leak occurs within the system. Call Comfortech Service Experts right away to resolve AC refrigerant issues quickly.
6. Dirty Air Filter
Your air conditioner's filter has to be changed regularly to encourage enough airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils can become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to fill in the drain pan—possibly producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem sticks around, additional repairs might be the best option. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Comfortech Service Experts are happy to serve you, ensuring the problem gets solved.
7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC
Air conditioners are built to run during warm weather. Using 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 potentially create an overflow due to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Comfortech Service Experts technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem.
8. Damaged Drip Pan
Air conditioners are designed to last, but nothing survives forever. If you use an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan might be damaged or corroded even with normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak may appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Comfortech Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working normally.
Our Experts Can Meet All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs
Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Comfortech Service Experts can fix the problem. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again without delay.
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 talk about enrolling in a worry-free membership plan. This may help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, more quickly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cool.
Contact us at 601-852-3105 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!