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Why is My Furnace Leaking Water?

Occasionally, we will get calls from concerned customers who have noticed puddles of water around their furnace or heat pump. A leaking furnace should be taken seriously, as it can lead to a number of issues, such as mold growth or weakened flooring. Right when you notice a leak coming from your furnace, investigate the cause or call a professional as soon as possible to ensure that the issue is resolved quickly.

If your home is experiencing a leak coming from your furnace, you’re likely wondering why it’s leaking and how severe the issue is. While the source of the leak certainly can be a large issue with the furnace itself that immediately needs to be repaired, the leak could also be caused by a smaller issue. No matter the cause, a leak will create significant damage on its own.

There are several possible causes, most of which will require the help of a professional. Make sure to get in touch with the professionals at Star Heating & Cooling today if you notice any of the following:

Dirty Furnace Filter

If there’s water leaking from your furnace or heating system, there’s an outside chance that the cause is a dirty furnace filter that has restricted the airflow enough to cause the evaporator coil to freeze up and create the water leakage you’re seeing. However, it’s unlikely to be as simple as just replacing the furnace filter itself. You can easily check the condition of your filter just to rule that option out before you call. If you believe your furnace is leaking due to a dirty filter that is restricting airflow, contact a professional as soon as possible.

Clogged Condensate Trap

If you have a high-efficiency furnace, a more likely cause of the furnace leak is from a clogged condensate trap in the floor drain, or a clog or break in the condensation tube. This is an easier fix, but a professional should absolutely be called to perform the repair and ensure that is actually the reason for the leak. 

Exhaust Leak

Furnaces that have an AFUE rating of 90% or above have an exhaust that is cool, which can create condensation.  If you don’t have a yellow energy tag on your furnace that tells you what the AFUE is, you’ll know it is above 90% AFUE if the vent piping is white PVC plastic and not metal.

Leak from Humidifier

Another possible source of water around the furnace can be leakage from a whole-home humidifier that is installed in your furnace. This option will also require the assistance of an HVAC professional to locate the water leak. When you have a Preventative Maintenance Agreement with Star Heating and Cooling, we can check your humidifier as part of our regular “clean and check,” and we can spot these problems before they become an issue.

A frozen coil can be the source of water around the furnace.

Clogged Combined Drain Line 

If you have a heat pump combined with air conditioning, the combined drain line could be clogged. The coils could have been frozen, causing water to leak from the coils as the frozen water begins to melt.

Contact Star Heating & Cooling

If you live in Marion or Hamilton County in Central Indiana and your furnace is leaking water, contact Star Heating and Cooling at 317-753-0279. Our heating and air conditioner professionals will provide you with the service that you need to repair any problem you might have with your home’s furnace.