How to Address a Leaking Furnace Inside Your Home in Winter

A leaking furnace can cause damage inside a house before you know it’s happening.  If the home includes a high-efficiency furnace — one with an efficiency rating of 90% or more — the furnace may be generating more liquid condensate than you’re aware of. The fact is, a furnace may generate between 6 and 8 gallons of water per day, depending on the size of the unit.

Where Does Water Come From and Where Does It Go?

While standard-efficiency furnaces don’t produce water, a high-efficiency unit incorporates a secondary heat exchanger that extracts extra heat from water vapor present in furnace-exhaust gases. After the heat’s taken out,  condensation flows from the secondary heat exchanger through a trap and into a dedicated drain line. In most cases, the drain line extends through an exterior wall to the outside of the house and discharges the water on the ground.

What Causes a Leaking Furnace?

Leakage is often a result of a clog somewhere in the system that causes water to back up and overflow the condensate drain pan inside the furnace.

How Can You Prevent a Leaking Furnace?

This is usually a maintenance issue. Professional furnace preventative maintenance by a qualified HVAC technician includes inspecting the drainage system for defects such as a leaky drain pipe or a leak at the condensate drain pump, if one is installed. In addition, the following procedures are standard:

• The drain pan and drain trap are checked for debris or mold or algae growth that may clog the drain system.
• If drainage is slow or obstructed, a drain snake may be run through the entire drain line to clear any blockages.
• Outdoors, the end of the drain pipe will be checked for obstructions and also for confirmation that the pipe is properly slanted so gravity flow keeps water continuously draining to prevent ice formation.

For experienced service to deal with a leaking furnace in your home, contact the heating professionals at Energy 1 Heating & Air Conditioning.