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 normally kept in a drain pan and routed through piping into your home’s drain system.
Unfortunately, faulty components or sludge buildup could cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water backs up in the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then reach your home. This is namely troublesome if your furnace or air handler is kept in the attic or above a finished ceiling.
In a majority of homes, building codes require 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. Typically, the outlet of the pipe is placed above the outside of a window so it’s quickly noticeable if water begins draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water spilling from piping on the outside of your home, this is usually evidence the primary drain is clogged 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 repair the issue. Some homes could also use a safety device that can automatically switch off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling unless the drain is cleared of any obstructions. Regardless, if you find water leaking, be sure to set your thermostat to "off" to minimize any other water damage and get in touch with a A1 Chesney Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.
Leaking air conditioners often do best with professional servicing, 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 reaches the evaporator coil, water condenses on the chilly metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan beneath 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 can clog the drain. This stops the water from flowing away properly. Entrust the unclogging process to an Expert like A1 Chesney Service Experts to guarantee it’s done properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will autonomously turn off your AC if the drain becomes blocked again later on, thus avoiding water damage in your home. Of course, routine maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and unobstructed.
2. Drain Line Is Disconnected
While somewhat rare, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This will sometimes 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. Check your AC to find out if the drain line is still 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 A1 Chesney Service Experts today.
3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working
Some air conditioners require 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 unobstructed, water could build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is inoperable. First, double-check that the pump is still powered. If that’s not the case, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should contact 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 in favor of a more substantial puddle close to the outside of your furnace or air handler, water might be splashing off the evaporator coil compared to properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can be the case if the coils are dirty, 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 A1 Chesney Service Experts membership.
5. Low Refrigerant Level
If you notice a leak and the AC isn't cooling well, the refrigerant level may be insufficient thanks to a leak. Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it inspected regularly during seasonal maintenance is extremely important for the life span 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 required when a leak happens within the system. Call A1 Chesney Service Experts immediately to resolve AC refrigerant issues quickly.
6. Dirty Air Filter
Your air conditioner's filter has to be changed regularly to produce enough airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils may 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 lasts, more repairs may be required. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from A1 Chesney Service Experts are here to serve you, ensuring the problem gets solved.
7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC
Air conditioners are designed to run during warm weather. Starting 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 may lead to an overflow due 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 made to last, but nothing lasts forever. If you use 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 can appear as condensate seeps directly through it. A1 Chesney Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working properly.
Our Experts Can Meet 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 right away.
Our technicians are well 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 can help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, sooner so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cool.
Contact us at 587-315-5271 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!