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

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 normally collected in a drain pan and moved through piping into your home’s drain system. 

Unfortunately, a malfunction or sludge buildup could cause the piping to become backed up. When this happens, water returns to the drain pan inside your furnace or air handler. It can then leak into your home. This is namely troublesome if your furnace or air handler is installed in the attic or above a finished ceiling. 

In a majority of homes, local codes necessitate a secondary or safety drain pan that is found underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses piping that is routed to the outside of the home. Usually, the outlet of the pipe is located above the outside of a window so it’s more noticeable if water starts 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 blocked 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 may also use a safety device that will automatically switch 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 see water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to “off” to avoid any other water damage and get in touch with a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning service provider to correct the issues. 

Leaking air conditioners frequently require professional help, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We proudly 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 appears on the cold metal surface. At the end of the process, the water drains into a pan underneath the indoor coil within 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 correctly. Entrust the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to ensure it’s handled properly and without causing additional damage. Service Experts can also install a safety device that will quickly turn off your AC just in case the drain becomes clogged again in the future, thus preventing water damage inside your home. Of course, routine maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and open. 

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected 

While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This may occur if someone is working near the unit or when replacing 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 leading to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we encourage calling an HVAC technician to resolve this issue as soon as possible. Request an appointment with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today. 

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working 

Some air conditioners need a condensate pump to efficiently drain the water. These pumps are compulsory when the home’s drain system is found above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water may collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is not functioning. First, make sure that the pump is still powered. If that’s not the problem, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should check with an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to resolve the issue. 

4. Evaporator Coil Is Dirty or Cracked 

If you see small drips in favor of a more substantial puddle near the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be bouncing off the evaporator coil compared to properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can take place if the coils are dirty, or if holes in the insulation best 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 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 low due to a leak. Air conditioners need refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it looked at thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is very beneficial for the life span 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 done when a leak appears in the system. Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning as soon as you can to repair AC refrigerant issues quickly. 

6. Dirty Air Filter 

Your air conditioner’s filter has to be changed regularly to ensure proper airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils could become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to accumulate in the drain pan—potentially causing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem persists, further repairs might be the best option. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning are willing and able to serve you, ensuring the problem gets resolved. 

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC 

Air conditioners are designed to be used during warm weather. Starting your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder will sometimes 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 Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning 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 could 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 like it’s supposed to. 

Our Experts Can Handle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs 

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can fix the problem. 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 perform exemplary 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, promptly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house comfortable. 

Contact us at 587-404-0790 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!