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

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 creates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is typically sent to 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 backs up in the drain pan inside your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is decidedly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is kept in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In most homes, local codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is located underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan has piping that is sent to the outside of the home. Most of the time, the outlet of the pipe is found 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 usually an indication 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 can also possess a safety device that should automatically switch off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling except if the drain is free of any obstructions. Regardless, if you notice water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to “off” to stop any further water damage and contact a A1 Chesney Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners often require professional support, which is why we’re here to assist you at A1 Chesney Service Experts. We happily 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 collects on the chilly metal surface. At the end of the process, the water drains into a pan beneath the indoor coil inside the furnace or air handler. As the cooling sequence continues, 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 draining away properly. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like A1 Chesney Service Experts to ensure it’s completed properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will autonomously turn off your AC in the event the drain becomes blocked again in the future, thus minimizing water damage inside your home. Of course, scheduling maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clean and unhampered.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While somewhat rare, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This will sometimes be the cause if someone is working nearby the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line is disconnected from the pan. Take a look inside your AC to see if the drain line is still attached to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we encourage calling an HVAC technician to resolve this issue immediately. Arrange an appointment with A1 Chesney Service Experts today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to properly drain the water. These pumps are necessary when the home’s drain system is put 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 malfunctioning. First, make sure that the pump is being 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 A1 Chesney Service Experts to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Damaged

If you see small drips rather than a bigger puddle near the outside of your furnace or air handler, water might be dripping off the evaporator coil compared to properly moving into the drain pan and condensate line. This can happen if the coils are grimy, or if holes in the insulation protecting]1119] the coils redirect the water. The {smart approach to keep the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a A1 Chesney Service Experts membership.

5. Low Refrigerant Level

If you notice a leak and the AC isn’t cooling properly, the refrigerant level may be lacking because of a leak. Air conditioners use refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it looked at thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is extremely beneficial for the working condition of your unit. Without adequate 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 needed when a leak happens in the system. Call A1 Chesney Service Experts immediately to resolve AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter needs to be changed regularly to produce adequate airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils could become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to fill in the drain pan—sometimes causing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem sticks around, more repairs might be the best option. Luckily, HVAC technicians from A1 Chesney Service Experts are ready to serve you, ensuring the problem gets solved.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are made to provide enough cooling for warm weather. Running 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 potentially create an overflow thanks to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a A1 Chesney Service Experts technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem.

8. Damaged Drip Pan

Air conditioners are manufactured to last, but nothing lives forever. If you own 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. A1 Chesney Service Experts 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, A1 Chesney Service Experts can help. 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 suggest a worry-free membership plan. This will sometimes help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, faster so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cooler.

Call Now

Contact Us

We’ve changed everything by covering everything