It’s no secret that your heating and cooling systems can experience bumps in the road from time to time. Insufficient heating and unusual AC noises are common problems that can indicate the need for repair. However, you might start to panic if you find your heating system leaking water.

Why is your furnace leaking water? Fortunately, this problem tends to be limited to only a few areas on your furnace, so you can pinpoint and fix it quickly. Here are four potential reasons a heater is leaking water.

Condensation Leaks

You’re more likely to see a leak if you have a high-efficiency furnace. 

High-efficiency systems (also known as condensing furnaces) have a secondary heat exchanger that not only produces more heat but also condensation. Pipes carry this condensation out of your home via a drain line and floor drain.

So, why is your furnace leaking water? The drain line, floor drain, or condensate pump could be damaged or clogged. If these components cannot work correctly, the water won’t drain as it should. As a result, condensation leaks can occur.

Clogged Drain Line

A clogged drain line is one of the more likely reasons your heater is leaking water. Your high-efficiency furnace relies on the drain line to remove any and all condensation it produces. Unfortunately, this line can become blocked with debris, causing the water to leak.

Damaged Floor Drain

Your furnace’s condensation passes through several important components, and if one of these components areis broken or clogged, problems can occur. When your furnace creates condensation, thise water is expelled via the drain line and into a floor drain. Of course, if this floor drain is damaged, water can wind up leaking out.

Malfunctioning Condensate Pump

Another crucial part in the condensation removal process is the condensate pump. In many cases, high-efficiency furnaces use the same condensate pump as their AC unit. However, if this pump malfunctions or fails completely, it won’t be able to remove the condensation. As a result, you might end up seeing unexpected water leaks.

If you notice a leak, schedule a heating repair in Greenville, SC, as soon as possible to avoid water damage.

Humidifier Leaks

If you suspect your furnace is leaking, the issue could be with your whole-home humidifier. Some homes have whole-home humidifiers installed directly into the HVAC system to add moisture into the air. While these systems can be great for battling dry conditions, they can develop broken parts or clogs, and leaks can occur.

Do you have a whole-home humidifier? If so, this can be one of the possible reasons your heater is leaking water. However, if you’re wondering why your furnace is leaking water and you don’t have a humidifier, check for condensation leaks, heat exchanger problems, or a dirty air filter instead.

Contact Us

Most leaks can be avoided with regular furnace maintenance services. If you’re ready to schedule a tune-up, turn to Absolute Climate Control for expert air conditioning and heating maintenance services in Greenville, SC.

However, if you currently have a leak, it’s crucial to address the problem promptly to avoid costly water damage. We have experience working with a wide range of heating and cooling systems, including heat pumps. Contact us to schedule a furnace repair today!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *