Is Your Air Conditioning Leaking Water? Here Are 8 Possible Causes

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 routed through piping into your home’s drain system.

Unfortunately, an error or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become blocked. When this happens, water floods the drain pan in your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is namely troublesome if your furnace or air handler is located in the attic or above a finished ceiling.

In the bulk of homes, municipal codes demand a secondary or safety drain pan that is found underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan possesses piping that is directed to the outside of the home. Most of the time, the outlet of the pipe is placed 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 dripping from piping on the outside of your home, this is usually an indication the primary drain is backed up 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 resolve the issue. Some homes may also use a safety device that should automatically switch off your AC should the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling except if the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you find water leaking, make sure to set your thermostat to “off” to stop any other water damage and get in touch with a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners frequently demand professional help, 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 collects on the chilled metal surface. Ultimately, the water drains into a pan under the indoor coil within 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 can clog the drain. This keeps the water from flowing away properly. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to make sure it’s completed properly and without causing further damage. Service Experts can also put in a safety device that will automatically turn off your AC just in case the drain becomes clogged again sometime after, thus minimizing water damage in your home. Of course, scheduling maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed and open.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan could become loose or disconnected. This may happen if someone is working near the unit or when swapping out the air filter. AC leaks might occur when the drain line breaks free from the pan. Inspect your AC to find out if the drain line is still leading to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we suggest calling an HVAC technician to take care of this issue immediately. Arrange an appointment with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners rely on a condensate pump to efficiently drain the water. These pumps are needed when the home’s drain system is located above the AC unit. Even if the drain is free of obstructions, water may back up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is not functioning. First, make sure that the pump is being powered. If that’s not the root cause, the AC leak may be due to a broken condensate pump. You should contact an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to resolve the issue.

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grubby or Cracked

If you see small drips in lieu of a more substantial puddle around the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be splashing 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 smartest approach to stop 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 enough, the refrigerant level may be lacking thanks to a leak. Air conditioners depend on refrigerant to generate cold air, so getting it checked regularly during seasonal maintenance is very beneficial for the working condition of your unit. Without enough refrigerant, the evaporator coils can freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Contrary to some expectations, your AC does not need to be refilled unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only necessary when a leak happens inside 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 needs to be changed regularly to encourage proper 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—possibly creating an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem lasts, more repairs may be needed. Luckily, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are happy to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.

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 below may cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and possibly result in an overflow because of 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 lasts forever. If you use 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 could 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 like it’s supposed to.

Our Experts Can Meet All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

Whatever the reason why your AC is leaking water, Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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 thoroughly 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 could help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, faster so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house cooler.

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