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

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 creates condensate, or water, in your furnace or air handler. This water is usually kept in a drain pan and routed through piping into your home’s drain system. 

As a side effect, a malfunction or sludge buildup could cause the piping to become backed up. When this happens, water floods the drain pan within your furnace or air handler. It can then spill into your home. This is namely troublesome if your furnace or air handler is up in the attic or above a finished ceiling. 

In the bulk of homes, building codes necessitate a secondary or safety drain pan that is installed underneath the furnace or air handler. This secondary drain pan has piping that is sent to the outside of the home. Typically, the outlet of the pipe is located 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 spilling from piping on the outside of your home, this is likely an indication the primary drain is blocked 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 possess a safety device that can 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 cleared of any obstructions. Regardless, if you discover water leaking, be sure to set your thermostat to “off” to prevent any other water damage and reach out to a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning service provider to correct the issues. 

Leaking air conditioners often need professional support, which is why we’re here to assist you at Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning. We consistently deliver Expert air conditioning repair across Fort Lauderdale, 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 underneath 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 might clog the drain. This prevents the water from moving away correctly. Entrust the unclogging process to an Expert like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning for the peace of mind it’s done properly and without causing more damage. Service Experts can also install a safety device that will quickly shut off your AC if the drain becomes clogged again later on, thus preventing water damage in your home. Of course, scheduling maintenance on your AC will help keep your condensate drain clean and unhindered. 

2. Drain Line Is Disconnected 

While unusual, the drain line connection to the drain pan may become loose or disconnected. This may happen if someone is working near the unit or when changing out the air filter. AC leaks can occur when the drain line is disconnected from the pan. Inspect 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 resolve this issue as soon as possible. Request an appointment with Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning today. 

3. Condensate Pump Isn’t Working 

Some air conditioners need a condensate pump to efficiently drain the water. These pumps are required when the home’s drain system is put above the AC unit. Even if the drain is unobstructed, water may build up in the pan and leak out if the condensate pump is faulty. First, double-check that the pump is currently powered. If that’s not the case, the AC leak could be due to a broken condensate pump. You should contact an air conditioning contractor like Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning to resolve the issue. 

4. Evaporator Coil Is Grimy or Broken 

If you see small drips instead of a larger puddle near the outside of your furnace or air handler, water may be splashing off the evaporator coil instead of properly moving into the drain pan and condensate line. This can take place if the coils are grimy, 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 Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning membership. 

5. Low Refrigerant Level 

If you discover a leak and the AC isn’t cooling properly, the refrigerant level may be low thanks to a leak. Air conditioners use refrigerant to create cold air, so getting it looked at consistently during seasonal maintenance is incredibly important for the health 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 replenished unless there is a leak. The system is sealed and recharging is only necessary when a leak occurs inside the system. Call Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning right away to resolve 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 may become too cold and freeze. The evaporator coils will then thaw, causing excess water to fill in the drain pan—sometimes starting an overflow. To resolve this, try changing your air filter. If the problem doesn’t go away, more repairs might be needed. Thankfully, HVAC technicians from Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning are here 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 below can cause the evaporator coils to freeze. Once thawed, the water and ice will drop off the evaporator coils and potentially create an overflow because of ice blocking the drain pan opening. If a water leak persists, schedule a Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning technician backed by our 100% service guarantee* to help solve the problem. 

8. Damaged Drip Pan 

Air conditioners are built to last, but nothing survives 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 may appear as condensate seeps directly through it. Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can replace the drain pan and ensure your AC gets back to working normally. 

Our Experts Can Meet All Your Air Conditioning Repair Needs 

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

Our technicians are highly trained, knowledgeable and certified to complete dependable 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 will sometimes help you catch AC issues, like water leaks, promptly so you can avoid future breakdowns while keeping your house comfortable. 

Contact us at 954-736-4314 to schedule your air conditioning appointment in Fort Lauderdale today! 

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