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 produces condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is normally a drain pan and transported through piping into your home’s drain system.

A byproduct of this process, an error or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become backed up. When this happens, water floods the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is namely troublesome if your furnace or air handler is installed in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In the bulk of homes, local codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is found underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan uses piping that is sent to the outside of the home. Usually, the outlet of the pipe is located above the outside of a window so it’s found 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 usually evidence the primary drain is backed up and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most general reasons for why your AC is leaking water and how to fix the issue. Some homes could also possess a safety device that can automatically turn off your AC in the event the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling until the drain is cleared of any obstructions. Regardless, if you find water leaking, see set your thermostat to “off” to prevent any additional water damage and contact a Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners routinely need professional servicing, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts. We happily deliver Expert air conditioning repair across the U.S., backed by a Service Experts Guarantee.*

1. Condensate Drain Is Blocked

When hot, humid air moves over the evaporator coil, water appears on the chilled metal surface. At the end of the process, the water drains into a pan underneath the indoor coil in 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 overflows.

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris could clog the drain. This keeps the water from moving away correctly. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts to make sure it’s performed properly and without causing additional damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will autonomously turn off your AC just in case the drain becomes blocked again sometime after, thus preventing water damage in your home. Of course, consistent maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed and open.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This may be the cause if someone is working close to the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks might occur when the drain line disconnects from the pan. your AC to determine if the drain line is still fully connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to take care of this issue immediately. Make an appointment with Service Experts today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to efficiently drain the water. These pumps are required when the home’s drain system is located above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water could in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is inoperable. First, double-check that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the problem, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should contact an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Broken

If you see small drips instead of a more substantial puddle close to 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 occur if the coils are grimy, or if holes in the insulation around the coils redirect the water. The smart approach to stop the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Service Experts membership.

5. Low Refrigerant Level

If you find a leak and the AC isn’t cooling enough, the refrigerant level may be low because of a leak. Air conditioners depend on refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it checked regularly during seasonal maintenance is very useful for the health of your unit. Without enough refrigerant, the evaporator coils might freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Despite some expectations, your AC does not need to be refilled unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only required when a leak happens inside the system. Call Service Experts as soon as possible to resolve AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter should be changed regularly to produce 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—sometimes causing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem lasts, more repairs might be needed. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Service Experts are happy to serve you, ensuring the problem gets resolved.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are built to provide enough cooling for warm weather. Starting your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and may lead to an overflow because of ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Service Experts technician backed by our Service Experts Guarantee* to help solve the problem.

8. Damaged Drip Pan

Air conditioners are designed to last, but nothing lives forever. If you have 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 might appear as condensate seeps directly through it. 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, Service Experts can solve the issue. 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 provide dependable work. We have full confidence in our repairs—in fact, we back up everything we perform with a Service Experts Guarantee!*

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