Is Your Air Conditioning Leaking Water? Here Are 8 Possible Explanations

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

As a side effect, damaged pipes or sludge buildup could cause the piping to become backed up. When this happens, water floods the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then reach your home. This is decidedly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is kept in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In a majority of homes, local codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is located underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses piping that is routed to the outside of the home. Typically, 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 leaking from piping on the outside of your home, this is likely an indication the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most general explanations for why your AC is leaking water and how to repair the issue. Some homes can also have a safety device that will automatically turn 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 see water leaking, be sure to set your thermostat to “off” to prevent any additional water damage and contact a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners often require professional repairs, 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 runs along the evaporator coil, water collects on the chilly metal surface. In the end, the water drains into a pan under 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 might clog the drain. This prevents the water from flowing away correctly. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to guarantee it’s done 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 clogged again later on, thus preventing water damage inside your home. Of course, scheduling maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed and open.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While uncommon, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This can occur if someone is working around the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Inspect your AC to find out if the drain line is still attached to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to take care of this issue immediately. Schedule an appointment with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners require a condensate pump to efficiently drain the water. These pumps are necessary when the home’s drain system is located above the AC unit. Even if the drain is free of obstructions, water might collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is not functioning. 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 check with an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Dirty or Cracked

If you see tiny drips in lieu of a bigger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water might be bouncing off the evaporator coil rather than properly moving into the drain pan and condensate line. This can take place if the coils are dirty, or if holes in the insulation around the coils redirect the water. The easiest approach to stop 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 uncover a leak and the AC isn’t cooling like it’s supposed to, the refrigerant level may be insufficient thanks to a leak. Air conditioners use refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it inspected 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. Opposite of 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 inside the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing as soon as possible to repair AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter should be changed regularly to ensure adequate airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils can become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to accumulate in the drain pan—potentially producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem persists, more repairs may be necessary. Luckily, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are here to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.

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 lower may cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and possibly result in an overflow because of 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 built 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. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working like it’s supposed to.

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 solve the issue. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again as soon as possible.

Our technicians are well trained, knowledgeable and certified to provide dependable 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 advise signing up for 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 cool.