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

A byproduct of this process, damaged pipes or sludge buildup may cause the piping to become clogged. When this happens, water returns to 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 kept in the attic or above a finished ceiling. 

In a majority of homes, municipal codes necessitate 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 quickly 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 likely evidence the primary drain is backed up and water is now draining from the safety drain pan. 

Here are the most common causes for why your AC is leaking water and how to fix the issue. Some homes could also use a safety device that can automatically switch off your AC should the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling until the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you see water leaking, be sure to set your thermostat to “off” to minimize any additional water damage and call a Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts service provider to correct the issues. 

Leaking air conditioners frequently need professional help, which is why we’re here to assist you at Bryant Heating & Cooling 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 forms on the chilled metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan under the indoor coil within 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 might clog the drain. This prevents the water from draining away correctly. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts for the peace of mind it’s handled properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will autonomously turn off your AC in the event the drain becomes blocked again later on, thus preventing water damage within your home. Of course, consistent maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clean and unhampered. 

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected 

While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This will sometimes occur if someone is working nearby the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks might occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Check your AC to find out 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 immediately. Make an appointment with Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts today. 

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working 

Some air conditioners rely on 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 unobstructed, water may collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is broken. First, double-check that the pump is being powered. If that’s not the case, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should check with an air conditioning contractor like Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts to resolve the issue. 

4. Evaporator Coil Is Dirty or Damaged 

If you see tiny drips instead of a larger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be dripping off the evaporator coil compared to properly flowing into the drain pan and condensate line. This can occur if the coils are grimy, or if holes in the insulation smartest approach to prevent the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Bryant Heating & Cooling 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 due to a leak. Air conditioners count on refrigerant to generate cold air, so getting it inspected consistently during seasonal maintenance is highly important for the life span of your unit. Without enough refrigerant, the evaporator coils can 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 necessary when a leak happens in the system. Call Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts as soon as you can to take care of AC refrigerant issues quickly. 

6. Dirty Air Filter 

Your air conditioner’s filter has to be changed regularly to produce adequate 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 starting an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem remains, more repairs may be required. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts are ready to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed. 

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC 

Air conditioners are built to run during warm weather. Using your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or below may cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and possibly result in an overflow thanks to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem. 

8. Damaged Drip Pan 

Air conditioners are designed 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 could appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working normally. 

Our Experts Can Tackle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs 

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Bryant Heating & Cooling Service Experts can help. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again right away. 

Our technicians are thoroughly trained, knowledgeable and certified to complete 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, faster so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cool. 

Contact us at 226-773-3357 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!