View Full Version : Water in drip pan in winter
ajr2
Dec 28, 2007, 09:32 AM
Is it normal for water to collect in the drip pan under the a/c coil in the furnace in the winter?
I have a Lobb wheel type humidifier that is attached to the cold air return duct. The humidifier is not over flowing and there is no water at the base of the furnace.
Thanks for the help
hvac1000
Dec 28, 2007, 09:41 AM
Not unless the A/C is running.
Do you have a heat pump or just A/C ?
Make sure you turn off the humidifier at the water valve. Give it a day to dry out and check again.
ajr2
Dec 28, 2007, 10:24 AM
To hvac1000,
I don't have a heat pump, just a/c. I'll do as you say and see what happens. Thanks again!
ajr2
ajr2
Jan 7, 2008, 07:39 AM
To hvac1000
I did as you said and turned off the water supply of the humidifier at the valve. The humidifier reservoir is now totally dry.
I'm still getting water from the overflow tube from the drip pan. It has slowed, but it is still coming. I also noticed that it will drip even when the furnace blower motor is off.
As I said before there is no water at the base of the furnace, and I don't know where the water is coming from. There is no water condensation on the windows of my house indicating too much humidity.
What do I do next?
Thanks again for your help!
hvac1000
Jan 7, 2008, 08:11 AM
Something has to be leaking from somewhere. You might have to get into it to see what it is. With the water off to the unit give it sometime and see if it drys up.
ajr2
Feb 1, 2008, 09:35 AM
To hvac1000
I turned off the humidifier on the furnace. After a few days the dripping stopped but it was too dry in the house.
Today, we had the gas company out because we have a maintenance agreement with them. The repairman said "With high efficiency furnaces (Lennox), if you have a blockage in the pvc drain tube (for the pan under the A coil), or the pvc pipes that vent the furnace, you can get a condensation. He checked and the drip pan was dry.
Naturally, the problem is not covered and he suggested I call a plumber.
Does this make sense? Is there anything I can do such as running a snake through these pipes?
Thanks again for your help.
ajr2
ajr2
Feb 1, 2008, 09:40 AM
BTW, the furnace was installed 3 years ago.
hvac1000
Feb 1, 2008, 09:49 AM
Yes it can happen. This also could have been solved on the first post of mine if I new it was a high efficiency furnace. Call out the troops and get it fixed.
If you want to try this yourself you may have to take some items apart.
Many times the flexible vinyl hose attached to the furnace drain can be plugged and causing the water to leak by backing up in the pan..