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 produces condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is typically kept in a drain pan and moved through piping into your home’s drain system.
Unfortunately, faulty components or sludge buildup may cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water floods the drain pan within your furnace or air handler. It can then reach your home. This is namely troublesome if your furnace or air handler is up in the attic or above a finished ceiling.
In a majority of homes, local codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is located 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 found above the outside of a window so it’s easily 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 an indication the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.
Here are the most frequent explanations for why your AC is leaking water and how to resolve the issue. Some homes may also use 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 free of any obstructions. Regardless, if you notice water leaking, make sure to set your thermostat to "off" to stop any further water damage and contact a Komfort Air Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.
Leaking air conditioners frequently require professional support, which is why we’re here to assist you at Komfort Air 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 moves over the evaporator coil, water forms on the chilled metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan beneath 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 becomes full.
However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris can clog the drain. This keeps the water from flowing away correctly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Komfort Air Service Experts to guarantee it’s handled properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will automatically turn off your AC if the drain becomes backed up again sometime after, thus minimizing water damage within your home. Of course, routine maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and unobstructed.
2. Drain Line Is Disconnected
While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan can become loose or disconnected. This may occur if someone is working nearby the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line breaks free 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 immediately. Arrange an appointment with Komfort Air 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 required when the home’s drain system is found 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 currently powered. If that’s not the root cause, the AC leak might be due to a broken condensate pump. You should contact an air conditioning contractor like Komfort Air Service Experts to resolve the issue.
4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Damaged
If you see little drips in lieu of a bigger puddle near the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be bouncing off the evaporator coil instead of properly flowing into the drain pan and condensate line. This can be the case if the coils are dirty, or if holes in the insulation surrounding the coils redirect the water. The easiest approach to stop the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Komfort Air Service Experts membership.
5. Low Refrigerant Level
If you discover a leak and the AC isn't cooling properly, the refrigerant level may be low due to a leak. Air conditioners need refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it inspected thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is highly beneficial for the health of your unit. Without a full supply of refrigerant, the evaporator coils can freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Despite some expectations, your AC does not need to be recharged unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only necessary when a leak happens within the system. Call Komfort Air Service Experts as soon as possible 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 can become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to fill in the drain pan—possibly causing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem persists, more repairs might be needed. Luckily, HVAC technicians from Komfort Air Service Experts 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 run during warm weather. Running 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 because of ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Komfort Air Service Experts 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 might be damaged or corroded even with normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak may appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Komfort Air 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, Komfort Air Service Experts can fix the problem. 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 complete exceptional 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 will sometimes help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, promptly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cool.
Contact us at 704-705-8135 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!