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

An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by pulling 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 sent to a drain pan and sent through piping into your home’s drain system.

Unfortunately, damaged pipes or sludge buildup may cause the piping to become clogged. When this happens, water floods the drain pan within your furnace or air handler. It can then reach your home. This is decidedly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is up in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In a majority of homes, local codes necessitate a secondary or safety drain pan that is put underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan uses piping that is sent to the outside of the home. Typically, the outlet of the pipe is located above the outside of a window so it’s more noticeable if water is 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 often a sign the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most frequent reasons for why your AC is leaking water and how to fix the issue. Some homes will also possess a safety device that should automatically turn off your AC in the event the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling unless the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you spot water leaking, make sure to set your thermostat to “off” to minimize any additional water damage and contact a McKinley Heating Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners frequently require professional repairs, which is why we’re here to assist you at McKinley Heating Service Experts. 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 runs along the evaporator coil, water collects on the cold metal surface. At the end of the process, 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 fills up.

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris could clog the drain. This stops the water from moving away properly. Entrust the unclogging process to an Expert like McKinley Heating Service Experts to make sure it’s handled properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will quickly switch off your AC in the event the drain becomes blocked again sometime after, thus preventing water damage within your home. Of course, routine maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and unhampered.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While not very common, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This can be the cause if someone is working around the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Check your AC to see 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 repair this issue right away. Request an appointment with McKinley Heating Service Experts today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners rely on a condensate pump to properly drain the water. These pumps are required when the home’s drain system is found above the AC unit. Even if the drain is unobstructed, water could collect 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 problem, the AC leak could be due to a broken condensate pump. You should check with an air conditioning contractor like McKinley Heating Service Experts to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Cracked

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

5. Low Refrigerant Level

If you notice a leak and the AC isn’t cooling enough, the refrigerant level may be low thanks to a leak. Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it looked at consistently during seasonal maintenance is extremely useful for the working condition of your unit. Without adequate 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 replenished unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only done when a leak occurs within the system. Call McKinley Heating Service Experts as soon as possible to resolve AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter has to be changed regularly to encourage adequate airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils could become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to collect in the drain pan—possibly creating an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem persists, additional repairs may be the best option. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from McKinley Heating Service Experts are here to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.

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 colder will sometimes cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and may lead to an overflow thanks to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a McKinley Heating 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 survives forever. If you use an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan may be damaged or corroded due to normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak may appear as condensate seeps directly through it. McKinley Heating Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working properly.

Our Experts Can Handle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, McKinley Heating Service Experts can repair the damage. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again without delay.

Our technicians are well trained, knowledgeable and certified to provide 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, promptly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house comfortable.

Call Now

Contact Us

We’ve changed everything by covering everything