Water Leaking Out of Furnace When Air Conditioning is On
If you notice water leaking out of your furnace when air conditioning is on, you might be experiencing a malfunction in your system. Fortunately, there are a few simple solutions to the problem. To start, you can switch off your AC system by shutting it off using the thermostat or by checking the fuse box. You can also use a wet vacuum to clean up any excess water. Ideally, you should align the drain line with the AC output and secure it so that there is a tight seal.
(Looking for a water softener? Contact us today!)
Condensate pump
A condensate pump is used to remove the water that collects in an air conditioning system. The pump works by triggering a float switch to pump water from the system to a remote location, such as a floor drain or utility sink. A malfunctioning pump can cause water to leak into your house and cause your air conditioner to malfunction.
You should investigate the leakage to find out whether it’s the pump or a different issue. If the leak is a small one, cleaning it might solve the problem. However, if the problem is more severe, you should consider replacing the pump. The lifespan of a condensate pump is about three to five years.
Water can leak out of your furnace when the condensate pump is malfunctioning or clogged. In addition, the drain hose can become disconnected or clogged. If it becomes blocked or damaged, it could be a sign that you need to replace the condensate pump.
Clogged drain line
If water is leaking out of your furnace when air conditioning is turned on, there’s a good chance the drain line is clogged. A drain line can become clogged by debris and slime that’s built up around the furnace. To remove the clog, remove the cap on the drain line and clean the line from the inside. Once the clog has been removed, replace the cap.
Clogged drain lines are one of the most common causes of water leaking from your furnace. High-efficiency furnaces generate a significant amount of moisture through condensation. If this moisture can’t drain properly, it will leak onto the floor underneath. This can damage your walls, floors, and framing. Fortunately, most water leaks are preventable.
Using a wet/dry vac to clear the drain line will get rid of the majority of the debris. If you’re unable to remove the clog, a professional can unclog it and repair or replace it. Another solution is to replace the drain pan on your air conditioner.
Bad evaporator coil
If your furnace or air conditioning system is not functioning properly, it is likely that the evaporator coil is bad. In many cases, the coil simply needs to be replaced. Luckily, this problem is usually easily solved, either by replacing a portion or replacing the entire coil. While repairs can be done, they aren’t cheap. A replacement is usually the best option.
The evaporator coil is responsible for removing heat from your home’s interior, which is why it’s important to regularly inspect it. If you notice that the evaporator coil is leaking, it’s possible that you have a bad one. While normal air conditioner condensation is drained by a drip pan, frozen condensate lines can cause excess moisture to spill onto the evaporator coil.
To diagnose a bad evaporator coil, you first need to know which part of the system is causing the problem. The evaporator coil is often installed together with the condenser coil. As a result, the two are likely to be in similar condition. A bad one will likely affect the other part. If both units are affected, replacing both coils will save on labor and installation costs.