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Why Is Water Dripping From Your AC Vent? Here’s How To Fix It

By Aztil –

Why is Water Dripping from Air Vents?

A few different things can cause water to drip from your air vents. The most common causes include:

9 Causes of Water Dripping From Your AC Vent?

Having leaks anywhere in your home is never a good sign. That also applies to seeing any water dripping from your AC vent .

Whatever the cause may be, it’s best to start immediately and find out what the issue is until it becomes a bigger problem than it already is.

Thankfully, when it comes to AC systems, it could be something you can fix yourself if you know what to look for.

So, here are the common reasons why water might be dripping from your AC vent, along with some easy fixes you can do to stop it.

Reason #1. Plumbing or roof leak

When you spot water dripping from your AC vent, we bet that your first thought is that it’s a problem with your AC system. Before you troubleshoot any further, it might be a good idea to first rule out plumbing or roof leaks.

In reality, it’s not uncommon to find a roof leak above your duct that has made its way into your system and subsequently, into your AC vent.

Reason #2: Poor HVAC Installation

If you just got your brand new AC system installed and it’s already leaking, keep calm and contact the person/s who installed it.

It could simply be the case of the unit or the drain pan tilting slightly to the side, which causes the condensation collected inside the unit to drip.

For those of you who had the system for a while, read on to find out other probable causes.

Reason #3. Air leak around the vent

Most commonly, water dripping from your AC vent results from leaky air vents. If the air is escaping around the grates of your AC vents, it will cause a buildup of condensation that will inevitably start dripping all over the place.

You can test if this is the case by feeling for any air coming out of the sides of the air vent. If the air comes from anywhere besides the grates, you’ve found the cause of your problems.

The fix is straightforward: get some caulk and seal those air leaks.

Reason #4. Dirty air filter

Dirty air filters can mess up the regular operation of your AC. As you may already know, condensation ends up in a dripping pan. However, dirty air filters can cause the water to freeze over the evaporator coils.

How does that lead to water dripping from the AC vent?

Well, once you turn off your AC, that layer of ice will start melting and subsequently draining from your vents.

You can fix this problem by swapping out the air filter. We also recommend melting the ice on your coils with a hair dryer to help the unit return to peak performance as quickly as possible.

Reason #5. Rusted drip pan

If swapping out the filter didn’t help, maybe the dripping pan is to blame for all that water coming from your AC vent. Power off and remove the unit’s access panel and check the state of the drip pan. If it’s rusted, you should replace it.

Once your new drip pan arrives, you’ll have to disconnect the old one from the drain line with a pair of pliers. Next, you should unscrew or unclip the pan and carefully lift it out.

The good news is that installing the new one is the reverse process, so it can be done real quick.

An important thing to note is that if your drip pan is welded instead of screwed on, you likely need to call an HVAC professional.

Reason #6. Uninsulated air ducts

Do your air ducts run through your attic? If they do, remember that most attic spaces are either poorly insulated or not insulated at all. Again, this can cause excess condensation that will leak through your air vents.

First, remove the grating from the air vents and check the status of your insulation. If you don’t see any or if the existing one has heavily deteriorated, go to your nearest and dearest home improvement store and pick up some R-11 fiberglass batt insulation.

The rest of the remedy is pretty simple: just wrap the air duct insulation around your ductwork and voila, you’ll stop the water dripping from your AC vent.

Reason #7. Clogged condensate drain line

Without proper maintenance, different components of your AC system can get dirty or clogged. Because the condensate drain line is outside of your home, the problem can get out of hand fairly quickly.

Maybe it got clogged with debris, dirt, mildew, or all kinds of critters that are just looking for a home.

To unclog it, you can manually remove a part of the debris and then top it off with a distilled vinegar solution. However, we recommend using a powerful shop vacuum to clear even the most hardcore debris out there.

Reason #8. Refrigerant leak

This one can be a bit tricky. If you see water dripping from your AC vent combined with bad cooling performance or decreased airflow, chances are you’ve got a refrigerant leak on your hands.

Unfortunately, exposing yourself to refrigerants can be very harmful so we don’t recommend tackling this problem alone. Since your safety is a top priority, you should let professionals deal with this serious issue.

Reason #9. Malfunctioning condensate pump

A condensate pump is responsible for collecting the water and pumping it outside. So if you’ve tried everything and there’s still water dripping from the AC vent, then this gizmo is the most likely culprit.

What you need to do is locate the pump and find a float switch. Play around with it until you manage to engage the pump. You might free up the switch that’s stuck due to dirt or scum buildup. If the switch is not very consistent, you can use bleach to clear out the bucket.

If the pump still isn’t working, it likely is beyond saving. You can replace it yourself but it might be more simple to contact a professional.

How to Stop Water Dripping From Air Vents

Water dripping from air vents can be a trouble, potentially inflicting damage to your house and interfering with the overall performance of your HVAC machine. To restoration this problem, start checking the air conditioner for clogged or clogged ducts. Make positive the condensate drainage line is clear and free of debris, to make certain right drainage.

Also, consider insulation to save you condensation. Proper insulation facilitates adjust the temperature and decreases the probabilities of water droplets forming on the vents. In addition, changing the humidity in your home can lessen the amount of excess moisture inside the air, lowering the probabilities of condensation.

Routine preservation, which includes cleansing air filters, and scheduling proper HVAC inspections are essential to prevent leaks. Fixing any leaks or issues quick can guard against water harm and enhance the performance of your HVAC system, developing a pleasant, dry indoor surroundings.

A helping hand

In cases where there is water dripping from your AC vent, you can fix the issue yourself by swapping out the filter or getting caulk from Home Depot. However, some problems are a bit more challenging.

For anything that seems outside your skill level, we recommend you find an HVAC professional to save yourself some serious time.

Contact Aztil ACif you need 24/7 emergency services at an affordable price. We’re available around the clock in Palm Beach, FL, and we also provide regular maintenance if you want to make sure your AC keeps you cool all summer long.

Call 561-559-2205 , or send an email to info@aztilac.com .

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Alez molina was excellent! Kind, proficient and efficient. Worked quickly. Am so grateful.
Response from the owner:Hi Diana, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Alex did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Jordan & Herolson did a great job cleaning my ductwork. They arrived on time, were very nice, polite & efficient. Jordan explained everything clearly. They cleaned up thoroughly when they were done. The popcorn from my ceilings was everywhere, but they took care of it. Five stars.
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Niko is always a competent , pleasant professional who assists me with my air conditioning units.

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Response from the owner:Hi Debra, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Niko did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Jordan an hero where effective angel. They explained evdrthing and extremely pleasant
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Tino was friendly, professional and very helpful
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Dana was great!! Suggested a cut off switch to stop the water backup
Installed it right away
Response from the owner:Hi Mel, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Aztil is always so reliable.
Dana came today, diagnosed my A/C problem and took care of right away.
Terrific service! Thank you, Dana!
Response from the owner:Hi Susan, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Best workers, Jordan,and Hero.
Response from the owner:Hi Virginia, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Jordan and Hero did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Thanks to Aztil AC! One of our A/C units broke down unexpectedly, and Anthony got Lazaro out to us right away the next morning. Lazaro was excellent and he found the problem with our unit very quickly. We really appreciate their quick action and professional expertise. Outstanding service from start to finish!
Response from the owner:Hi Jake, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Anthony and Lazaro did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Just has Dana come as soon as Aztil can get there team there for our family. Dana was friendly, professional and knew his stuff.
Response from the owner:Hi Justin, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
The AC maintenance service was excellent. Niko Garza was professional, helpful, kind, and was instrumental in arranging for the next Senior Technician to solve the AC problem that I am having. That service will be sometime today. He also recommended the dryer vent cleaning and the in-line AC cleaning, of which I scheduled for Monday and paid today. My husband has been very ill for the past 4 years and in the hospital right now. Aztil has arranged the services, after Niko explained the situation, so that they will be completed before he comes home because a patient on oxygen and a feeding tube cannot be without power to the whole house, even a short shut down would endanger him. Thank you Niko!

Technician Rick Cochran did an excellent job replacing the AC breaker and ensuring that everything was in correct working condition. I really appreciated his kindness and professional demeanor. Thank you Rick!

Today Technician Alex Molina completed the services (dryer lint trap cleaning and inline air handler cleaning). Once again, I was fortunate to have a professional, gracious, and thoughtful person come to my house to perform the services. Thank you so much Alex!

June 2 2025 Thank you Cody! It is a relief to finally have the A/C back to what it should be. The replacement of the coil is probably what was needed a month ago. Rather than dwell on what was, I truly appreciate the replacement service and how kind you were to a grieving widow.
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Angel and his crew
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Tino Costanzo did an excellent job. Extremely helpful in adding to the efficiency of the operation of our air conditioning unit.
Response from the owner:Hi David, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Tino did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
This is the second time Michael King has serviced my AC for AZTIL. He is always pleasant and courteous. He explains all he does to the unit and answers all questions I may have. He is very thorough. Great asset to the company. The trainee (Skyler) with him today has a very good teacher and seems to be on his way to being a positive service tech.
Response from the owner:Hi Walter, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Michael and Skyler did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
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Lazaro was excellent. Full explanation of services. I would like to get him for any future services. I'd like to add that I was pleased with the vent cleaning that was performed by Alex Molina and his assistant.
Response from the owner:Hi Jazziz, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Lazaro did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
I had woken up to no ac in my house. I contacted aztil on a Saturday at 5 pm and their technician called me back within a half hour. His name was Tino, he said that he would be there within 30 minutes…. And he was! He figured out the problem in 10 minutes and he solved it! Excellent service! Thank you so very much!
Response from the owner:Hi Patricia, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Tino did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Wow, the scheduling process was a challenge, but our service tech Niko Garza was a grand slam. He more than made up for the scheduling challenges. We’ve been Aztil customers since 2017…. Scheduling was much stronger up until about a year ago, service techs have always been great. Peter, one of the schedulers also can in for the save!

Hey I need to update this 5 Star review, it needs to be a 10…. We needed a new system, boom, done in one day! Our tech, Asiel Barreto was tremendous. He even worked us through the process of using a NEST thermostat- Jackie in the central office rocked us through all the paperwork. This is why we are Aztil for life!
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Jordan was awesome. Nice to work with, fast and efficient.
Response from the owner:Hi Jeffrey, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Jordan did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Ramon is always on time, polite, knowledgeable and efficient. AC unit has been performing reliably and efficiently.
Response from the owner:Hi Lance, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Ramon did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Nico was very knowledgeable and did a great job getting our ac working again
Response from the owner:Hi Chloe, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Niko did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
A+ job from two great professionals - Jordan and Hero. A big job - that they explained completely - and they were not only great technically, but very tidy and cleaned everything up after! And really great guys! Highly, highly recommend them - a great team!
Response from the owner:Hi Madelyn, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Jordan and Hero did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
TINO from Aztil is very professional he came and replace a part under warranty at no cost and in no time Aztil is very reliable I’m a happy customer thank you very much for a great service
Response from the owner:Hi Halz, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Tino did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Nico my service tech was very knowledgeable, courteous and thorough. Very pleased with my service.
Response from the owner:Hi Jerry, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Niko did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
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Dana & Michael did an excellent job replacing my drain lines. They arrived on time & worked hard to finish the job in record time so I was without air conditioning in 1/2 the time expected!
Response from the owner:Hi Lynda, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana and Michael did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Dana and Niko were great. They did a really good job.
Response from the owner:Hi Franny, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana and Niko did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Antonio & Jordan are highly professional maintenance technicians. They performed a full system overview and my AC is working great! I highly recommend them - Jeff Steinberg
Response from the owner:Hi Paul, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Antonio and Jordan did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Luzaro did an excellent job. He got to the problem quickly and is very knowledgeable. Great service. Thank you
Response from the owner:Hi Sherry, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Lazaro did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Update: I had Left. A bad review for this company. I had the new manager Anthony reach out to me and he helped me get my whole situation fixed. The solution was to switch back to a basic AC model that would benefit me and also be easy to work on. Anthony was great! He returned all my calls in a timely manner and helped ease my worries. Aztil finally switched out my unit and refunded me the difference. The installers were great and my experience was stellar. Def changed my look on the company. I appreciated the customer service and the communication. New management made a difference.

Previous review 3/2025
This company is the worst!! The previous AC that I used Was sold to them and I thought I could Trust them like the last company! I spent Over 12k for a unit in May 2024 along with a 5yr service contract!!! that the salesman said would be the best unit and solve all my hot spot issues. Well it hasn’t! And because my “best” unit is digital NO TECHNICIAN knows how to work the unit. They are constantly calling tech support and still no one knows. I’ve had 4 different technicians here and no one knows what the hell they are doing!! I have Had technicians out 7 times to my home bc the humidity stays at 65-68%. No one knows how to adjust it. I called For emergency service on a Friday night bc my unit stopped working. They told me they wouldn’t have anyone until Thursday!! Do not use this company. They never call you back. Management does not respond. So unprofessional! I have Been trying to contact someone for over a week and no one ever returns my calls!! DO NOT USE THIS COMPANY.
Response from the owner:Hi Myra, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil was able to address your concerns and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
I've been using Aztil for over 10 years. Always prompt, polite, knowledgeable, and professional. Today (Memorial Day), my AC went out. Within 2 hours, Albert was at my house and fixed the issue quickly. I would recommend Aztil to anyone based on my own personal experience with them.
Response from the owner:Hi Demora, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Albert did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
The 4-stars is because I wasn’t informed of a scheduling change. After a little confusion regarding the appointment time the technician, Michael King contacted me. He arrived at the updated time. Was very professional and kept me informed about the service. He completed the job, cleaned up afterwards and thanked me for being a customer.
Response from the owner:Hi Bob, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Michael did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
My service call was simple just clean the pipes. I asked the agent what was covered before I accepted and they stated clearing the pipes and other checkup. Well it did not turn out to be TRUE. I was charged for labor , materials(!) and other nonsense. NOT a Happy camper no one likes surprises! They are out of my list.
Response from the owner:Hello Cesar, Thank you for taking time to provide feedback about your experience with our company. We completely understand your frustration and apologize for any dissatisfaction that may have caused your day. We are eager to discuss this experience with you. Please call our customer service manager, Jack. He can be reached at (561) 202-8726. It is our goal to make sure we resolve any issue we can and look forward to speaking with you.
It always seems that the air conditioner breaks down on a hot day.
Well, Aztil is cool under pressure.
First, Paul came out and diagnosed the problem and ordered the replacement parts. Making sure I got the best price.
Then, Dana showed up at my house ready to fix it.
And when it seemed things weren't quite right, Dana returned at 7:30 pm. - ON A FRIDAY NIGHT - to make sure it was A-Okay.

Aztil is definitely the company for our household.
Response from the owner:Hi Robert, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Paul and Dana did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Michael King did a superb maintenance job. Plus, he made an extra effort to locate and install a part several hours after his first visit. Well done, Michael.
Response from the owner:Hi George, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Michel did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Dana was tech

Came out and went through central system and outside unit. Replaced thermostat as wasn’t reading correctly which was throwing hvac off from normal operation temps
Response from the owner:Hi Andrea, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Dana Dussaualt did a great job on are annual maintence checkup. Very detailed inspection. Aztec has all ways provided great service.
Response from the owner:Hi Joseph, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Dana did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Jordan and hero were phenomenal sealing my air duct system and cleaning my ducts very professional and cleaned up well thank you
Response from the owner:Hi Lynda, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Jordan did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Response from the owner:Hi Michele, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
Excellent response & service, ANTONIO Certified Rheem Repair Tech, followed by
CODY Coil Repair Specialist who was equally professional, courtesy & comprehensive information. Above & beyond expectations! Thank u AZTIL👏🏼
Response from the owner:Hi Laura, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Antonio and cody did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.
My wife and I have been loyal customers of Azril for years, and when the time came to get a completely new A/C system, we naturally chose Aztil to install and service a new system at our home in Boca. Our entire system just stopped a few nights ago, and I called the company . It was already 6:30, PM and it was getting very hot . Coincidently, Sabrina and I were setting up a routine 6 month check up a few days before our A/C incident . She was so friendly and professional , and said if there was any thing else she could do for me , not to hesitate to call.. WELL...needless to say ,I called her the night of the break down, and explained that my wife had lung issues, and needed to tag the service call EMERGENCY !! Not only did she make it happen, even ,though it was 8:30 PM, but kept calling me to keep us posted, several times !! She also sent Antonio ,who was as pleasant and professional as she. Fantastic experience, and the system is back to normal... Thanks team !! Steve and Caryn Silver Boca Raton
Response from the owner:Hi Steven, thank you for your kind words! We're so glad to hear that Aztil did an excellent job and that you were pleased with the outcome. Thank you for being a valued customer.

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