What happens if you don't drain your air conditioner?

Failing to properly maintain and drain your air conditioner can lead to severe property damage and system malfunctions. When the condensate drain line becomes clogged, water backs up from the primary drain pan and spills over into the secondary emergency overflow pan. If that overflow pan fills up or lacks a working float switch, the excess water will leak through ceilings, walls, and floors, causing extensive structural damage, warped drywall, ruined insulation, and expensive mold remediation issues. Furthermore, modern air conditioning systems are equipped with safety float switches designed to detect standing water in the drain pan and automatically shut down the entire HVAC unit to prevent flooding. This means a neglected drain line will ultimately cause your air conditioner to stop cooling your home entirely on the hottest days of the year until the blockage is cleared and the water is removed.