Should an Air Conditioner Unit Drip Water?

Condensate as Byproduct

• Air conditioners produce water as a byproduct of the mechanism they use to cool your indoor air. Air conditioners take in air from your home, pass it through a filter to remove dust and debris and blow it across copper coils filled with cold gas. These copper coils accumulate condensation in much the same way a cold glass of water will "sweat" when left out in a hot room. This condensation drips down in to a condensate pan and is drained outside the home.

Reasons for Increased Draining

• An air conditioner may have an increase in the amount of water it drains from the system if the outside humidity is especially high for a prolonged period of time. You may notice that your unit is draining significantly more water during a period of high humidity than during the cooler months toward the end of summer. This is nothing to be concerned about. If the water is dripping in an inconvenient location, consider placing a barrel underneath to catch the water and use it for watering your garden.

Window Unit Dripping Indoors

• If your window air conditioner is leaking inside your house, it may be improperly installed. Window air conditioner cases are constructed--when installed properly--to slope away from your house, draining water outside and not dripping back in to your home. Ensure the unit is seated properly on the window sill, and check to see if the condensate drain is clogged and the pan is overflowing.

Central Air Conditioner Dripping Indoors

• Central air conditioners are typically located in attics and have a long piping system or hose that drains condensate outside the home. If this drain becomes clogged or kinked, water can back up into the home and overflow in the condensate pan. Ensure water is emanating from the end of the drain outside of your home then work your way backward, tracing the pipe and looking for leaks. If none are found, and the drain continues not to drain, there may be a clog in the system. Use a plumber's snake or compressed air to clear out the drain from the air conditioner's end.