What Is Wrong When a House Air Conditioner Throws out Water?

Source of Water in an Air Conditioner

• Any water found in your air conditioner, or dripping from your air conditioner, has the same origins. No water is in the cooling system itself. Water is the result of your unit blowing hot indoor air across cold Freon coils and condensate forming on those coils just as condensate forms on a cold glass of water in a hot room. This condensate drips down into a condensation pan and is drained away from your house.

Increase in Water Output

• An air conditioner will pump out more water through its condensate drain when the humidity is higher. Air conditioners work to remove humidity from the air to improve indoor air conditions, and, as such, most modern units will continue to run until indoor humidity is decreased below a certain threshold. If the increased water output is a problem -- meaning if it is pooling and harboring mosquitoes or creating mud -- place a bucket underneath your condensate drain, and use the water for gardening.

Window Unit Water Leak

• Window air conditioners work in much the same way a central air conditioner does. They cycle air from inside the house, blow it across cold Freon coils and disperse heat and humidity outside the home. If a window air conditioner is improperly installed, water can flow back into the house. If this happens, see that your window air conditioner is seated properly on your windowsill and that it has a slight slope out the window, away from your house.

Central Air Conditioner Drain Maintenace

• A central air conditioner will typically have a condensate drain located on the side of your house made with PVC pipe or hose. This drain must be kept open and unclogged to prevent water from backing up into the system and either leaking in your attic or triggering a switch that will shut down your unit.