Is Your Air Conditioning Leaking Water? Here Are 8 Possible Reasons Why

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 generates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is normally kept in a drain pan and sent 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 within your furnace or air handler. It can then leak into your home. This is decidedly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is kept in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In most homes, building codes necessitate a secondary or safety drain pan that is put underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan uses piping that is directed to the outside of the home. Typically, the outlet of the pipe is placed above the outside of a window so it’s quickly 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 often a sign the primary drain is blocked and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most general explanations for why your AC is leaking water and how to fix the issue. Some homes may also possess a safety device that will automatically switch off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling unless the drain is cleared of any obstructions. Regardless, if you find water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to “off” to avoid any other water damage and contact a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners routinely need professional support, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 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 runs along the evaporator coil, water forms on the cold metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan underneath the indoor coil in 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 moving away correctly. Trust the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to ensure it’s completed properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will quickly switch off your AC in the event the drain becomes blocked again later on, thus preventing water damage inside your home. Of course, scheduling maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed and unobstructed.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While uncommon, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This will sometimes occur if someone is working near the unit or when replacing the air filter. AC leaks might occur when the drain line breaks free from the pan. Check 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 Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to properly drain the water. These pumps are necessary when the home’s drain system is found above the AC unit. Even if the drain is clear, water might collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is malfunctioning. First, double-check that the pump is being 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 Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Dirty or Broken

If you see tiny drips in favor of a larger puddle near the outside of your furnace or air handler, water might be splashing off the evaporator coil rather than properly draining into the drain pan and condensate line. This can be the case if the coils are grimy, or if holes in the insulation surrounding approach to prevent the evaporator coil from going downhill is to keep up with annual air conditioning maintenance using a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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 insufficient due to a leak. Air conditioners depend on refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it looked at consistently during seasonal maintenance is extremely important for the health of your unit. Without enough 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 occurs in the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing right away to take care of 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 may become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to accumulate in the drain pan—sometimes producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem persists, more repairs will sometimes be needed. Luckily, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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. 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 due to ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem.

8. Damaged Drip Pan

Air conditioners are designed to last, but nothing lives forever. If you possess an AC that is 12 years or older, the drip pan may be damaged or corroded even with normal use. If the drain pan has holes in it, a water leak can appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working properly.

Our Experts Can Handle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing can fix the problem. We’ll troubleshoot and fix your air conditioner, getting it back to running again as soon as possible.

Our technicians are thoroughly trained, knowledgeable and certified to perform 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 advise signing up for 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 cooler.

Contact us at to schedule your air conditioning appointment in North America today!