Should my condensate pump be full of water?

Yes, it is completely normal for the reservoir tank of a residential HVAC condensate pump to contain a moderate level of water during normal cooling operations, because the pump is specifically designed to collect moisture dripping from your indoor evaporator coil and hold it until the water reaches a designated fill line that triggers the float switch to activate the motor and pump it outside. However, the water level should never rise all the way to the top edge of the tank or overflow onto your floor. If the reservoir remains completely bone dry during heavy air conditioner use, it may indicate a clogged condensate drain line preventing water from reaching the pump. You can troubleshoot by testing the float switch manually. You can verify proper operation when water reaches the fill line, the motor engages smoothly, and water is pumped out completely.