My Cincinnati Furnace is Leaking!

Leaks around HVAC equipment are typically found in the summer when air conditioners are running. Most people do not know, but depending on the type of furnace you have, you may notice what appears to be leaking below it during the winter. Below, we’ll explain why your furnace may have sprung a leak.

Leaking is often associated with high efficiency furnace models. These units contain a cooling exhaust system, which leads to the production of a lot of condensation. High efficiency models operate a bit differently than a standard model – more heat is pulled from the gas, over a greater length of time, so the gases will condense in the process. That condensation exits through tubing.

A puddle can form under the unit if there is a leak in the drain tubing. A leak can occur due to a clog in the line, or other malfunction.

There are some other sources which can be responsible for a “furnace leak”.

• In high efficiency furnaces, there is typically a shared internal drain with the cooling system. If you noticed water around your air conditioner drain in the summer as well, the internal drain may be to blame.
• Combustion occurs in the furnace’s heat exchanger. If the heat exchanger cracks or otherwise breaks, gas and other substances can leak, forming what looks to be a water puddle below the furnace. In this case, your heat exchanger will need to be repaired or replaced right away.
• Sometimes, the furnace isn’t to blame at all! A pipe may have burst or leaked nearby, making it look like the furnace is the original source.

As you know, water can cause great damage to a home. To prevent expensive damage, have your leaking furnace looked at by an HVAC pro right away.

If you notice water surrounding your Cincinnati furnace and a busted pipe nearby isn’t the source, give Nelson Comfort a call. We’ll dispatch a NATE-certified furnace repair technician to get to the source of the issue and provide lasting repairs.

About The Author

Dan Detmer

Dan Detmer is the owner of Nelson Comfort. Dan was born into the heating and cooling industry, coming from a family of well respected HVAC contractors in Dayton, Ohio. After working in the family business, Dan decided to work for a local HVAC wholesale business helping local contractors grow their business. When he felt his heart moving him back into the residential and light commercial business, Dan joined the Mortimer Heating & Cooling team in Cincinnati, where he had called home and become part of the community for several years. After a short period of time Dan purchased the company and created what is today, Nelson Comfort. Today he operates a company based on integrity, honesty, and stellar customer service. If you have any questions feel free to tweet (at sign) NelsonComfort and we will get right back with you!