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 typically sent to a drain pan and moved through piping into your home’s drain system.
A byproduct of this process, a malfunction or sludge buildup may cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water returns to the drain pan within your furnace or air handler. It can then reach 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, municipal codes require a secondary or safety drain pan that is put underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses 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 spilling from piping on the outside of your home, this is usually evidence the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.
Here are the most general causes for why your AC is leaking water and how to fix the issue. Some homes could also have a safety device that will automatically turn off your AC should the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling until the drain is cleared of any obstructions. Regardless, if you find water leaking, make sure to set your thermostat to "off" to prevent any other water damage and get in touch with a Peitz Service Experts service provider to correct the issues.
Leaking air conditioners often do best with professional servicing, which is why we’re here to assist you at Peitz Service Experts. We consistently 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 chilly metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan underneath 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 flowing away correctly. Entrust the unclogging process to an Expert like Peitz Service Experts to make sure it’s handled properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also install a safety device that will automatically shut off your AC in the event the drain becomes blocked again in the future, thus avoiding water damage in your home. Of course, scheduling maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed and unhindered.
2. Drain Line Is Disconnected
While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This can occur if someone is working close to the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks may occur when the drain line is disconnected from the pan. Take a look inside your AC to find out if the drain line is still attached to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to repair this issue immediately. Schedule an appointment with Peitz 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 placed above the AC unit. Even if the drain is free of obstructions, water might collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is faulty. First, make sure that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the problem, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should contact an air conditioning contractor like Peitz Service Experts to resolve the issue.
4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Broken
If you see tiny drips in lieu of a more substantial puddle close to the outside of your furnace or air handler, water might be splashing off the evaporator coil instead of properly flowing into the drain pan and condensate line. This can happen if the coils are soiled, or if holes in the insulation surrounding the coils redirect the water. The smartest approach to keep the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Peitz Service Experts membership.
5. Low Refrigerant Level
If you find a leak and the AC isn't cooling like it’s supposed to, the refrigerant level may be lacking due to a leak. Air conditioners depend on refrigerant to generate cold air, so getting it inspected thoroughly during seasonal maintenance is incredibly beneficial for the life span 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 replenished unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only needed when a leak occurs in the system. Call Peitz Service Experts as soon as you can to repair 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 fill in the drain pan—sometimes producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem lasts, additional repairs might be necessary. Luckily, HVAC technicians from Peitz Service Experts are ready to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.
7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC
Air conditioners are designed to provide enough cooling for warm weather. Running 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 Peitz Service Experts technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem.
8. Damaged Drip Pan
Air conditioners are built to last, but nothing lives forever. If you have an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan might be damaged or corroded after years of normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak could appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Peitz Service Experts can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working properly.
Our Experts Can Meet All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs
Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Peitz 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 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 will sometimes help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, sooner so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cooler.
Contact us at 605-223-0307 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!