As temperatures begin to rise or drop, most homeowners don’t hesitate to start running their HVAC system. They may take a quick look at their furnace or condenser to make sure they're running, if everything checks out then they continue with their daily chores, and that’s the way it should be.
A few days later they might be surprised to find a puddle of water collecting around their furnace or on the ceiling of their home. They are left asking themselves, “Why is my furnace leaking water?”
This is a common question we hear from our customers, and there are a few reasons why your furnace could be leaking water. Below, we’ve outlined what might be causing your furnace to leak, but it’s best to let a professional HVAC contractor diagnose the issue as it could lead to serious damage to your home or air conditioning system.
Reasons Why Your Furnace Is Leaking Water
1. Condensation Leaks
Modern furnace models are more energy-efficient than older units. As these newer heating systems pump cool exhaust away from your unit it may cause an increase in condensation collecting at the base of your furnace and is one reason why your furnace is “leaking” water. If you don’t have a high-efficiency furnace, you may have an incorrectly sized flue pipe, since standard-efficiency furnaces do not produce condensation.
2. Clogged Condensation Drain
Your air conditioning system can condensate up to 3 gallons of water per hour as it runs. It is possible your condensation drain line is clogged, causing the condensation to back up and flood the furnace. Another possibility is that the condensation drain pan or drain line is cracked.