AC Drain Pan Location
AC Drain Pan Location: How to Find It & Why It Matters If your air conditioner is leaking water, shutting off unexpectedly, or showing signs of excess moisture, one of the first components to inspect is the AC drain pan. Homeowners frequently search for “AC drain pan location”, “where is my AC drain pan,” and “how to find the AC drip pan,”--and for good reason. A cracked or overflowing drain pan can quickly lead to water damage, mold growth, and expensive HVAC repairs.
At Cloud Mechanical HVAC in Cupertino, CA, we help homeowners diagnose and fix AC drainage problems every day. In this guide, we’ll walk you through where the AC drain pan is located, how your system’s design affects it, and what to do if the pan is full, rusted, or leaking.
What Is an AC Drain Pan?Your AC drain pan is a shallow metal or plastic tray designed to collect condensation that drips off the evaporator coil. This moisture moves through the condensate drain line and exits your home.
Most modern HVAC systems actually have two drain pans:
Where Is the AC Drain Pan Located?The exact location depends on your HVAC system’s installation type. Below are the most common AC drain pan locations.
1. If You Have a Attic HVAC SystemHomes in California—including many in Cupertino—commonly have air handlers in the attic.
In an attic installation, you will find:
Go to your attic, locate the indoor AC unit, and look underneath it. The large, shallow metal or plastic tray is the secondary drain pan. The primary pan is inside the coil cabinet and may require removing the access panel.
2. If Your AC Is in a ClosetMany Cupertino homes use vertical air handlers inside reach-in closets.
In a closet HVAC system:
Open your HVAC closet door, remove the bottom service panel, and look inside the cabinet for the shallow drain pan positioned under the evaporator coil.
3. If You Have a Garage HVAC SystemWhen the air handler is installed in the garage:
4. If You Have a Furnace + A-Coil SetupMost homes with a gas furnace paired with an AC system use an A-coil placed on top of the furnace.
In this configuration:
How to Identify the Drain PanNot sure if you’re looking at the right component? Here’s what to look for:
Signs Your AC Drain Pan Is Clogged, Cracked, or OverflowingKnowing the AC drain pan location is only half the battle. You also need to watch for symptoms of drain pan trouble:
Common Warning Signs
What to Do If Your AC Drain Pan Is OverflowingOnce you locate the AC drain pan, check for these problems:
1. Check for a Clogged Drain LineMost overflowing pans come from drain line blockages caused by:
2. Look for Rust or Cracks in the PanOlder metal pans commonly rust through, especially in humid climates.
3. Inspect the Float Safety SwitchIf your HVAC system has a condensate float switch, it may be shutting down the AC to prevent flooding.
Can You Replace an AC Drain Pan Yourself?Homeowners can sometimes handle minor issues like clearing a small clog, but drain pan replacement usually requires:
4 Tips TO Prevent Drain Pan IssuesTo avoid expensive water damage:
Call Cloud Mechanical HVAC in Cupertino for Drain Pan Repair & AC ServiceIf you suspect your AC drain pan is overflowing, leaking, or hard to find, we can help. Our licensed HVAC technicians diagnose and repair drainage problems fast before they turn into costly damage.
📞 Call Cloud Mechanical HVAC: (408) 740-7079
📍 Serving Cupertino, San Jose, Saratoga & the South Bay
💻 Schedule service at www.hvaccupertino.com
FAQs on AC DRAIN PIPEWhere is the AC drain pan usually located?It’s located directly under the evaporator coil, either inside the coil cabinet or underneath the air handler in a secondary pan.
Do all AC units have two drain pans?Attic systems typically have a secondary drain pan; garage or closet systems may only have a primary pan.
Why is my AC drain pan full of water?Usually because the condensate drain line is clogged or the pan has a crack.
Can I access the AC drain pan myself?Yes, but the primary pan may require removing HVAC access panels.
At Cloud Mechanical HVAC in Cupertino, CA, we help homeowners diagnose and fix AC drainage problems every day. In this guide, we’ll walk you through where the AC drain pan is located, how your system’s design affects it, and what to do if the pan is full, rusted, or leaking.
What Is an AC Drain Pan?Your AC drain pan is a shallow metal or plastic tray designed to collect condensation that drips off the evaporator coil. This moisture moves through the condensate drain line and exits your home.
Most modern HVAC systems actually have two drain pans:
- Primary Drain Pan — Built into the indoor unit (evaporator coil housing)
- Secondary / Emergency Drain Pan — Located under the unit to catch overflow if the primary pan fails
Where Is the AC Drain Pan Located?The exact location depends on your HVAC system’s installation type. Below are the most common AC drain pan locations.
1. If You Have a Attic HVAC SystemHomes in California—including many in Cupertino—commonly have air handlers in the attic.
In an attic installation, you will find:
- Primary drain pan: Attached directly under the evaporator coil, inside the metal housing
- Secondary drain pan: A large external pan placed under the entire air handler
Go to your attic, locate the indoor AC unit, and look underneath it. The large, shallow metal or plastic tray is the secondary drain pan. The primary pan is inside the coil cabinet and may require removing the access panel.
2. If Your AC Is in a ClosetMany Cupertino homes use vertical air handlers inside reach-in closets.
In a closet HVAC system:
- The primary drain pan is located inside the bottom of the vertical air handler.
- The secondary pan may be placed underneath the unit but is not always used.
Open your HVAC closet door, remove the bottom service panel, and look inside the cabinet for the shallow drain pan positioned under the evaporator coil.
3. If You Have a Garage HVAC SystemWhen the air handler is installed in the garage:
- The evaporator coil sits inside a metal cabinet
- The drain pan is located directly below the coil and may be harder to access
4. If You Have a Furnace + A-Coil SetupMost homes with a gas furnace paired with an AC system use an A-coil placed on top of the furnace.
In this configuration:
- The drain pan sits directly beneath the A-coil in the coil housing
- You must remove the coil cabinet panel to access the pan
How to Identify the Drain PanNot sure if you’re looking at the right component? Here’s what to look for:
- A shallow metal or plastic tray
- Located under or directly inside the evaporator coil housing
- Connected to a PVC drain line
- May contain standing water if clogged
Signs Your AC Drain Pan Is Clogged, Cracked, or OverflowingKnowing the AC drain pan location is only half the battle. You also need to watch for symptoms of drain pan trouble:
Common Warning Signs
- Water leaking near your furnace or AC unit
- Pooling water in the attic or HVAC closet
- Mold or mildew smell
- Rusted drain pan
- AC shutting off due to condensate safety switch
- Visible cracks or rust holes
- Ceiling damage
- Mold growth
- AC failure
- Structural wood rot
What to Do If Your AC Drain Pan Is OverflowingOnce you locate the AC drain pan, check for these problems:
1. Check for a Clogged Drain LineMost overflowing pans come from drain line blockages caused by:
- Algae
- Dust
- Sludge buildup
2. Look for Rust or Cracks in the PanOlder metal pans commonly rust through, especially in humid climates.
3. Inspect the Float Safety SwitchIf your HVAC system has a condensate float switch, it may be shutting down the AC to prevent flooding.
Can You Replace an AC Drain Pan Yourself?Homeowners can sometimes handle minor issues like clearing a small clog, but drain pan replacement usually requires:
- Removing the coil housing
- Lifting or shifting the evaporator coil
- Sealing drain line connections
4 Tips TO Prevent Drain Pan IssuesTo avoid expensive water damage:
- Get a professional AC tune-up every year
- Flush the condensate drain line
- Install a float safety switch
- Replace a rusted or cracked drain pan immediately
Call Cloud Mechanical HVAC in Cupertino for Drain Pan Repair & AC ServiceIf you suspect your AC drain pan is overflowing, leaking, or hard to find, we can help. Our licensed HVAC technicians diagnose and repair drainage problems fast before they turn into costly damage.
📞 Call Cloud Mechanical HVAC: (408) 740-7079
📍 Serving Cupertino, San Jose, Saratoga & the South Bay
💻 Schedule service at www.hvaccupertino.com
FAQs on AC DRAIN PIPEWhere is the AC drain pan usually located?It’s located directly under the evaporator coil, either inside the coil cabinet or underneath the air handler in a secondary pan.
Do all AC units have two drain pans?Attic systems typically have a secondary drain pan; garage or closet systems may only have a primary pan.
Why is my AC drain pan full of water?Usually because the condensate drain line is clogged or the pan has a crack.
Can I access the AC drain pan myself?Yes, but the primary pan may require removing HVAC access panels.