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

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 produces condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is normally sent to a drain pan and transported through piping into your home’s drain system.

A byproduct of this process, damaged pipes or sludge buildup may cause the piping to become backed up. When this happens, water floods the drain pan in 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, municipal codes necessitate a secondary or safety drain pan that is put 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 more noticeable if water starts draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water leaking from piping on the outside of your home, this is usually a sign the primary drain is backed up and water is now draining from the safety drain pan.

Here are the most common reasons for why your AC is leaking water and how to repair the issue. Some homes will also have a safety device that should automatically shut off your AC if the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling except if the drain is cleaned of any obstructions. Regardless, if you see water leaking, be sure to set your thermostat to “off” to avoid any additional water damage and contact a Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing service provider to correct the issues.

Leaking air conditioners frequently do best with professional servicing, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing. 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 appears on the cold metal surface. At the end of the process, the water drains into a pan beneath 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 becomes full.

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris can clog the drain. This prevents the water from flowing away like it’s supposed to. Entrust the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to ensure it’s done properly and without causing additional damage. Service Experts can also add a safety device that will autonomously switch off your AC in the event the drain becomes backed up again in the future, thus minimizing water damage within your home. Of course, consistent maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain flushed and open.

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected

While uncommon, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This will sometimes be the cause if someone is working nearby the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line is disconnected from the pan. Take a look inside your AC to see if the drain line is still connected to the coil drain pan. If it is no longer connected, we recommend calling an HVAC technician to repair this issue right away. Make an appointment with Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing today.

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working

Some air conditioners use a condensate pump to adequately drain the water. These pumps are required when the home’s drain system is put above the AC unit. Even if the drain is free of obstructions, water can build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is not functioning. First, double-check that the pump is still powered. If that’s not the case, 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 Grubby or Damaged

If you see tiny drips rather than a more substantial puddle near the outside of your furnace or air handler, water could be splashing off the evaporator coil rather than properly flowing into the drain pan and condensate line. This can take place if the coils are grimy, or if holes in the insulation easiest approach to keep 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 notice a leak and the AC isn’t cooling properly, the refrigerant level may be lacking thanks to a leak. Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to generate cold air, so getting it checked consistently during seasonal maintenance is very useful for the longevity of your unit. Without adequate refrigerant, the evaporator coils might freeze over and cause the drain pan to overflow as they thaw. Despite some expectations, your AC does not need to be recharged unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only done when a leak occurs within the system. Call Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing immediately to repair AC refrigerant issues quickly.

6. Dirty Air Filter

Your air conditioner’s filter needs to 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 fill in the drain pan—potentially producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem persists, more repairs may be the best option. Luckily, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are happy to serve you, ensuring the problem gets solved.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are built to provide enough cooling for warm weather. Starting your AC when outdoor temperatures are 60 degrees Fahrenheit or colder can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and possibly result in 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 built to last, but nothing lives forever. If you possess 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 might 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 without delay.

Our technicians are thoroughly 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 recommend a worry-free membership plan. This may help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, more quickly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house comfortable.

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