An air conditioner (AC) keeps your house cool and comfortable by extracting 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 typically collected in a drain pan and moved through piping into your home’s drain system.
A byproduct of this process, an error or sludge buildup could cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water floods the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then leak into your home. This is especially troublesome if your furnace or air handler is up in the attic or above a finished ceiling.
In most homes, local codes require a secondary or safety drain pan that is found underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan uses piping that is routed 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 begins 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 an indication 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 fix the issue. Some homes will also possess a safety device that can automatically turn off your AC should the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling unless the drain is free of any obstructions. Regardless, if you discover water leaking, be sure to set your thermostat to "off" to stop any further water damage and get in touch with a Rob's Albertan Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.
Leaking air conditioners frequently do best with professional support, which is why we’re here to assist you at Rob's Albertan Service Experts. We happily 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 chilled metal surface. In the end, the water drains into a pan underneath the indoor coil inside 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 could clog the drain. This keeps the water from draining away properly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Rob's Albertan 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 autonomously switch off your AC just in case the drain becomes blocked again later on, thus minimizing water damage within your home. Of course, scheduling maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed 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 happen if someone is working around the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks might occur when the drain line disconnects from the pan. Check your AC to determine if the drain line is still connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we encourage calling an HVAC technician to resolve this issue right away. Request an appointment with Rob's Albertan Service Experts today.
3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working
Some air conditioners need a condensate pump to adequately drain the water. These pumps are necessary when the home’s drain system is put above the AC unit. Even if the drain is free of obstructions, water could build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is faulty. First, double-check that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the case, the AC leak might be due to a broken condensate pump. You should check with an air conditioning contractor like Rob's Albertan Service Experts to resolve the issue.
4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Broken
If you see small drips rather than a bigger puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be dripping off the evaporator coil instead of properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can take place if the coils are dirty, or if holes in the insulation surrounding the coils redirect the water. The smart approach to prevent the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Rob's Albertan Service Experts membership.
5. Low Refrigerant Level
If you discover a leak and the AC isn't cooling well, the refrigerant level may be lacking because of a leak. Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to generate cold air, so getting it checked consistently during seasonal maintenance is highly important for the longevity of your unit. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils might freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Contrary to some expectations, your AC does not need to be recharged unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only required when a leak happens in the system. Call Rob's Albertan Service Experts right away to repair AC refrigerant issues quickly.
6. Dirty Air Filter
Your air conditioner's filter should be changed regularly to encourage adequate airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils can become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to collect in the drain pan—possibly causing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem sticks around, further repairs may be the best option. Fortunately, HVAC technicians from Rob's Albertan Service Experts are happy to serve you, ensuring the problem gets solved.
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 could 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 Rob's Albertan 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 lives forever. If you have an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan could be damaged or corroded after years of normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak can appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Rob's Albertan Service Experts 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, Rob's Albertan Service Experts can solve the issue. 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 provide 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 advise signing up for a worry-free membership plan. This may help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, sooner so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cooler.
Contact us at 780-800-9047 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!