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 generates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is typically collected in a drain pan and sent through piping into your home’s drain system.

A byproduct of this process, faulty components or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become clogged. When this happens, water backs up in the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is decidedly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is placed in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In most homes, building codes require a secondary or safety drain pan that is installed underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan uses 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 is 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 often a sign 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 can also have a safety device that can automatically turn off your AC should the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling except if the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you notice water leaking, make sure to set your thermostat to “off” to stop any additional water damage and contact a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners often need professional servicing, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We happily deliver Expert air conditioning repair across Fort Lauderdale, 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 in 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 moving away properly. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to guarantee it’s done properly and without causing additional damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will quickly switch off your AC if the drain becomes clogged again sometime after, thus avoiding water damage within your home. Of course, routine maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clean and unobstructed.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While somewhat rare, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This may occur if someone is working close to the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks might occur when the drain line disconnects from the pan. Check your AC to see 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 repair this issue right away. Arrange an appointment with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners need a condensate pump to properly drain the water. These pumps are needed when the home’s drain system is put above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water may back up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is broken. First, double-check that the pump is still powered. If that’s not the root cause, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should call an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Cracked

If you see little drips in lieu of a larger puddle nearby the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be splashing off the evaporator coil instead of properly flowing into the drain pan and condensate line. This can occur if the coils are dirty, or if holes in the insulation protecting the coils redirect the water. The best approach to prevent the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning membership.

5. Low Refrigerant Level

If you find a leak and the AC isn’t cooling enough, the refrigerant level may be lacking because of a leak. Air conditioners depend on refrigerant to generate cold air, so getting it inspected thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is highly beneficial for the working condition of your unit. Without enough refrigerant, the evaporator coils can freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Opposite of some expectations, your AC does not need to be replenished unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only needed when a leak occurs in the system. Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning as soon as possible to repair AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter needs to be changed regularly to ensure proper 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 starting an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem remains, further repairs might be required. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning are ready to serve you, ensuring the problem gets resolved.

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 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 due to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem.

8. Damaged Drip Pan

Air conditioners are manufactured to last, but nothing survives forever. If you have an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan may be damaged or corroded even with normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak might appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 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 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 thoroughly 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 suggest 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 comfortable.