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 creates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is typically kept in a drain pan and routed through piping into your home’s drain system.
As a side effect, faulty components or sludge buildup could cause the piping to become backed up. When this happens, water returns to the drain pan inside your furnace or air handler. It can then reach your home. This is particularly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is placed in the attic or above a finished ceiling.
In most homes, local codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is put underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan has 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 is 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 often evidence the primary drain is backed up 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 take care of 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 except if the drain is free of any obstructions. Regardless, if you notice water leaking, make sure to set your thermostat to "off" to avoid any additional water damage and get in touch with a Orangutan Home Services service provider to correct the issues.
Leaking air conditioners frequently do best with professional repairs, which is why we’re here to assist you at Orangutan Home Services. 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 condenses on the cold 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 fills up.
However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris could clog the drain. This prevents the water from draining away correctly. Entrust the unclogging process to an Expert like Orangutan Home Services to guarantee it’s done properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will quickly switch off your AC just in case the drain becomes blocked again in the future, thus preventing water damage inside your home. Of course, consistent maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clear and unhindered.
2. Drain Line Is Disconnected
While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This may be the cause if someone is working close to the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks might occur when the drain line is disconnected from the pan. Inspect 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 repair this issue right away. Arrange an appointment with Orangutan Home Services today.
3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working
Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to adequately drain the water. These pumps are needed when the home’s drain system is placed above the AC unit. Even if the drain is free of obstructions, water may collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is damaged. First, make sure that the pump is being powered. If that’s not the problem, the AC leak might be due to a broken condensate pump. You should call an air conditioning contractor like Orangutan Home Services to resolve the issue.
4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Broken
If you see small drips instead of a bigger puddle close to the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be bouncing off the evaporator coil compared to properly flowing into the drain pan and condensate line. This can occur if the coils are soiled, 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 Orangutan Home Services membership.
5. Low Refrigerant Level
If you discover a leak and the AC isn't cooling enough, the refrigerant level may be insufficient because of a leak. Air conditioners count on refrigerant to generate cold air, so getting it checked consistently during seasonal maintenance is incredibly useful for the working condition of your unit. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils may freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Despite some expectations, your AC does not need to be refilled unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only required when a leak happens within the system. Call Orangutan Home Services 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 produce proper 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—sometimes starting an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem lasts, further repairs may be needed. Luckily, HVAC technicians from Orangutan Home Services are ready to serve you, ensuring the problem gets resolved.
7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC
Air conditioners are built to be used during warm weather. Starting your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower could cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and may lead to an overflow thanks to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Orangutan Home Services 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 own an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan may 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. Orangutan Home Services 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, Orangutan Home Services can solve the issue. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again as soon as possible.
Our technicians are well trained, knowledgeable and certified to provide 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 suggest a worry-free membership plan. This could help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, more quickly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house comfortable.
Contact us at 602-906-0111 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!