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 usually collected in a drain pan and transported through piping into your home’s drain system.
A byproduct of this process, faulty components or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water returns to the drain pan inside your furnace or air handler. It can then leak into your home. This is especially troublesome if your furnace or air handler is located in the attic or above a finished ceiling.
In a majority of homes, local codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is put underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan uses piping that is routed to the outside of the home. In general, the outlet of the pipe is located above the outside of a window so it’s easily noticeable if water starts draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water draining from piping on the outside of your home, this is likely a sign the primary drain is clogged 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 can also have a safety device that can automatically switch off your AC if 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, make sure to set your thermostat to "off" to stop any additional water damage and contact a Falso Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.
Leaking air conditioners routinely do best with professional servicing, which is why we’re here to assist you at Falso 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 condenses on the chilly metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan underneath the indoor coil within 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 can clog the drain. This prevents the water from draining away correctly. Entrust the unclogging process to an Expert like Falso Service Experts to make sure it’s performed properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will automatically switch off your AC in the event the drain becomes backed up again sometime after, thus avoiding water damage in your home. Of course, regular 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 may become loose or disconnected. This may occur if someone is working close to the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line is lose from the pan. Inspect your AC to find out if the drain line is still attached to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we suggest calling an HVAC technician to repair this issue immediately. Arrange an appointment with Falso Service Experts today.
3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working
Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to adequately 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 could collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is inoperable. First, determine 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 call an air conditioning contractor like Falso Service Experts to resolve the issue.
4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Cracked
If you see little drips rather than a more substantial puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be splashing off the evaporator coil instead of properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can be the case if the coils are dirty, or if holes in the insulation around the coils redirect the water. The best approach to stop the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Falso Service Experts membership.
5. Low Refrigerant Level
If you discover a leak and the AC isn't cooling enough, the refrigerant level may be low because of a leak. Air conditioners count on refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it checked regularly during seasonal maintenance is highly important for the longevity of your unit. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils may freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Opposite of 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 appears in the system. Call Falso Service Experts as soon as you can to repair AC refrigerant issues quickly.
6. Dirty Air Filter
Your air conditioner's filter needs to be changed regularly to ensure enough 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—sometimes causing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem doesn’t go away, additional repairs will sometimes be required. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from Falso Service Experts are ready to serve you, ensuring the problem gets resolved.
7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC
Air conditioners are designed to provide enough cooling for warm weather. Using 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 because of ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Falso 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 lives forever. If you own 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 may appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Falso Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working normally.
Our Experts Can Meet All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs
Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Falso Service Experts can help. 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 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, more quickly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cool.
Contact us at 315-313-6531 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!