What is the cause of water leaking from the furnace when heat is on? If you have noticed puddles of water around your furnace, it can be worrisome. We’re here to help you solve the issue.
There are numerous reasons why most of us experience furnace leaks, which we discuss below.
Reasons for Furnace Leaks
In case there is water on your furnace’s base, then you should take action immediately. Water damage at your place is hazardous and affects the other parts of your home including flooring, walls, and ceilings. Mould presence also tags along if not taken care of soon. Here are the most common reasons why furnaces leak water.
Condensation leak
Condensation leaks are among the common reasons why we experience furnace leaks. Most of the furnaces in our homes tend to be very efficient; hence the AFUE rating of the furnace is 90 and above.
You will find that this furnace type has more than one heat exchanger that generates heat in the system. Condensation, a by-product of heat production, is expelled out by using pipes or through the floor drain.
When the pipes break or become clogged, you will experience water leaking out around your furnace’s base. If not immediately taken care of, water will pool up after collecting up for some time, causing water damage.
Humidifier leak
Humidifiers add moisture to the air. They are sometimes attached to the furnace. A clogged or broken humidifier can cause puddles of water that appear to be from the furnace.
Plumbing leak
If your furnace appears to be leaking water, the issue might be the plumbing system. When a pipe breaks or is clogged, it can cause a backup problem with the drainage system.
Clogged filters
Dirty filters obstruct airflow to the furnace coils, which can cause the coils to freeze and leak water.
Heat exchanger problems
In case there is a particular problem with the heat exchanger, this could, in turn, cause water leaking from the forced air furnace when the heat is on. It is costly to repair this issue. If you are experiencing water leakages at the furnace, and you have not found any possible causes of this problem, the heat exchanger might be the problem.
You need to install another new heat exchanger for your furnace. An HVAC expert can advise you on how to deal with this situation properly.
AC unit leaking
In regions that experience mild climates, people tend to use AC units and furnaces during similar seasons. If this is the case at your home and the AC unit present at your place is in use, excess water from the full condensation pan drips on your heating system. In case you are not aware. You could think that there is water leakage at the furnace, but honestly, it’s your AC unit.
Measure Steps to Take When Experiencing Furnace Leaks
If you notice that your aging furnace is leaking water, act immediately and swiftly. Before the HVAC technician has arrived to diagnose the issue, you should take some measure steps.
You should shut down the whole system by use of the switch near your furnace. If you are not aware of the location of the switch, turn the furnace off using the breaker. You are supposed to clean the water that has dripped from the furnace.
It is essential that you thoroughly soak all the water up to avoid water damage. You could use the wet-dry vacuum instead if the water dripped from the furnace is a lot.
You should also check the condition of your air filters. Replace the filter if it is clogged and dirty.
If you are not sure where the water leakage is, schedule a call with an HVAC expert to assist you in solving the furnace leak.
Hiring HVAC Professional Experts
It is straightforward and standard for the HVAC professionals to know the cause as to why water is leaking from the furnace when heat is on.
To expel furnace problems, you should make sure that it is well maintained and regular tune-ups every year are done. Regular maintenance ensures that your furnace has a longer lifespan and lowers the energy bill.
