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

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 usually kept in a drain pan and moved through piping into your home’s drain system.

As a side effect, faulty components or sludge buildup may 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 decidedly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is installed in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In most homes, local codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is found underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses piping that is directed to the outside of the home. Most of the time, the outlet of the pipe is located above the outside of a window so it’s easily noticeable if water begins draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water dripping from piping on the outside of your home, this is likely a sign the primary drain is backed up and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

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

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

1. Condensate Drain Is Blocked

When hot, humid air reaches the evaporator coil, water condenses on the chilled 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 occurs, the condensate flows out of the pan and into drain piping before the pan becomes full.

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris can clog the drain. This prevents the water from moving away like it’s supposed to. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing for the peace of mind it’s done properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will autonomously switch off your AC just in case the drain becomes backed up again in the future, thus avoiding water damage in your home. Of course, routine maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and open.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While somewhat rare, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This can be the cause if someone is working close to the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Take a look inside your AC to determine if the drain line is still leading to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to repair this issue right away. Arrange an appointment with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners require a condensate pump to properly 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 may collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is malfunctioning. First, determine that the pump is being powered. If that’s not the problem, the AC leak might 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 Broken

If you see small drips in lieu of a larger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water might be dripping off the evaporator coil compared to properly flowing 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 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 notice a leak and the AC isn’t cooling like it’s supposed to, the refrigerant level may be insufficient because of a leak. Air conditioners count on refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it looked at thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is very important for the health of your unit. Without enough refrigerant, the evaporator coils may freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Contrary to 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 appears within the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing as soon as you can to repair AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

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

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are built to run during warm weather. Running your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and potentially create 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 lives forever. If you own an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan could be damaged or corroded even with normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak can 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 Tackle 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 without delay.

Our technicians are thoroughly trained, knowledgeable and certified to complete 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 advise signing up for a worry-free membership plan. This can help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, more quickly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cooler.