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 normally kept in a drain pan and transported through piping into your home’s drain system.

Unfortunately, a malfunction or sludge buildup can cause the piping to become clogged. When this happens, water backs up in the drain pan inside your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is decidedly troublesome if your furnace or air handler is up 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 possesses piping that is sent 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 quickly noticeable if water begins draining from this pipe outlet. It is not normal for this to occur. If you see water draining 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 general reasons for why your AC is leaking water and how to resolve the issue. Some homes could also have a safety device that can automatically switch off your AC in the event the drain becomes clogged. In this case your system will stop cooling until the drain is free of any obstructions. Regardless, if you see water leaking, ensure you set your thermostat to “off” to avoid anymore water damage and reach out to 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 consistently deliver Expert air conditioning repair across North America, backed by a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.*

1. Condensate Drain Is Blocked

When hot, humid air reaches the evaporator coil, water condenses on the cold metal surface. Ultimately, 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 overflows.

However, mold, mineral deposits, dirt and other debris can clog the drain. This prevents the water from moving away properly. Leave the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing to guarantee it’s performed properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also install a safety device that will autonomously switch off your AC if the drain becomes backed up again sometime after, thus avoiding water damage inside your home. Of course, consistent maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clean 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 may occur when the drain line breaks free from the pan. Take a look inside your AC to find out 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 as soon as possible. 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 found above the AC unit. Even if the drain is unobstructed, water might collect in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is not functioning. First, make sure that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the case, 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 Grimy or Broken

If you see little drips in lieu of a more substantial puddle near 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 happen if the coils are dirty, 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 discover a leak and the AC isn’t cooling like it’s supposed to, the refrigerant level may be low due to a leak. Air conditioners rely on refrigerant to produce cold air, so getting it checked consistently during seasonal maintenance is extremely important for the longevity of your unit. Without adequate 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 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 ensure proper airflow. Without adequate ventilation, the evaporator coils can become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to accumulate in the drain pan—potentially producing an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem lasts, further repairs will sometimes be needed. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing are ready to serve you, ensuring the problem gets fixed.

7. Outdoor Temperature Is Too Cold to Run AC

Air conditioners are made to be used during warm weather. Using 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 may lead to an overflow thanks 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 manufactured to last, but nothing lives forever. If you possess 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 may 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 Handle All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs

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

Our technicians are well trained, knowledgeable and certified to complete 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 recommend 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 comfortable.

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