My Home Air Conditioner Is Leaking Water

Proper Drainage

• An air conditioner that is draining a lot of water safely outside the house is not malfunctioning. Air conditioners remove humidity from the indoor air to improve comfort levels. On especially humid days, you will notice your unit is dripping or draining significantly more water than on cooler days. This is normal and not cause for concern.

Clogged Condensate Pan

• Both window and central air conditioning units have condensate pans that catch dripping condensation from the Freon coils. This pan's drain can become clogged with hair and debris, especially if your unit has been run for any length of time without a filter. Wipe out the pan and clean out the drain using a pipe cleaner and run your unit for a time to see if the problem is solved.

Improperly Installed Window Unit

• A window air conditioner will leak water in the house when it is installed improperly. A window air conditioner's case is designed in such a way that the unit slopes down from your window, outside your home. This allows water to drain from the coils down into a condensate pan and safely drip away from your house. If this slope is upset, as with a unit that is resting improperly on the window sill, water will drain back in to the home. Ensure the unit is seated firmly on the sill of the window and that it has a slight slope when viewed from outside.

Clogged Central Air Conditioner Condensate Drain

• Central air conditioner condensate drains are typically small pieces of PVC or hose that drain water outside your house or into a gutter. They emanate from inside your attic, and you will notice they drip throughout the summer. If this drain becomes clogged, water can back up inside the pipe and leak in the attic or at the unit. Detach the drain from the unit's side and ream out the drain pipe using compressed air or a plumber's snake. Reattach the drain and ensure your leak problem is resolved.