Is your furnace leaking water?
Whether it’s just a few drops or a large puddle, conventional wisdom should lead you to believe that this is not normal. Furnaces don’t contain water. Rather, they use electricity or gas to warm the air.
What causes furnaces to leak exactly, and how do you fix it?
Restricted Airflow
Furnaces don’t necessarily leak, but you may notice water around your furnace if airflow to the evaporator coil is restricted.
The evaporator coil contains refrigerant, which is responsible for absorbing heat so that a blower fan can distribute it throughout your home. If airflow to the coil is restricted, the coil may freeze, resulting in water around your furnace.
To ensure the coil has adequate airflow, you need to replace the air filter regularly.
When air filters get clogged with dirt and debris, less air will pass through them. In turn, less air will reach your furnace’s coil.
If the coil receives too little air, it may freeze while creating the illusion of a leaking furnace.
Replacing the old and clogged air filter, however, will increase airflow to your furnace’s coil so that it doesn’t freeze up.
Condensation
While restricted airflow can cause condensation around your furnace, the most common reason for leaking water is condensation.
All furnaces produce condensation; it’s a byproduct of warming the air. When a furnace produces warm air, it will produce condensation.
Furnaces are typically designed to drain condensation so that it doesn’t build up. When condensation forms on your furnace, it should drip down into a pan where it’s flushed out of your home via a pipe.
Drainage pipes, of course, can clog. Mildew and grime can grow within them. And if there’s too much “junk” inside of a drainage pipe, condensation will accumulate above it.
Fortunately, you can flush a clogged drainage pipe with bleach. Just pour 1 cup of bleach down the pipe, at which point it should flush out any mildew and grime.
Use a Dehumidifier
You can dry up water or condensation produced by your furnace using a dehumidifier.
A dehumidifier will remove moisture vapor by collecting it from the air and storing it in a tank. With a dehumidifier installed around your furnace, the air will become drier.
For severe cases of water, you’ll need to address the underlying problem, such as a clogged air filter or condensation drain. If there’s only a small amount of water around your furnace, though, you can try using a dehumidifier.
If you are experiencing a problem with your air conditioning or heating call us at 512-336-1431 to schedule an appointment. We’ll be glad to come out and take a look at the issue.
1431-183 A/C & Heating proudly serves Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Leander, Liberty Hill, and North Austin.
