Why a New Heat Pump Might Leak
When a heat pump leaks shortly after installation, the cause is usually different from an older unit. Components haven't had time to wear out or corrode, so the problem almost always traces back to how the system was set up — the drainage, the connections, or the initial commissioning. The good news is that install-related leaks are typically straightforward to correct once identified.
The most common location for a new-install leak is indoors, around the head unit or air handler, because condensate drainage is the detail most sensitive to installation quality. A line that isn't sloped correctly, a missed seal, or a charge that's slightly off can all show up as water in the first weeks of running.
If your newly installed heat pump is leaking, document it — note where the water appears and when — and arrange to have it looked at promptly while everything is fresh and, ideally, still under installation warranty.
Drain Line Slope and Connection Issues
Improper drain slope is the classic new-install leak. Condensate drains by gravity and must fall continuously toward the exit. If the drain line was run level or with an upward bow, water pools in the line and backs up into the pan, even though the system is brand new. This is one of the most common reasons a fresh install drips indoors.
Loose or unsealed connections are next. A drain fitting that wasn't fully seated, a missing or dry P-trap on a ducted system, or a slipped hose clamp lets water escape right at the joint. On ducted systems, a primary drain pan that wasn't seated properly under the coil can let condensate miss the drain altogether.
A blocked or improperly terminated drain exit also counts here — if the line's outdoor end was left where it can't drain freely, or was crimped during routing through a wall, the water has nowhere to go.
Refrigerant Charge and Other Commissioning Faults
Getting the refrigerant charge exactly right is a critical commissioning step, and an undercharged system is a common cause of a new heat pump freezing and then leaking. Too little refrigerant lets the indoor coil drop below freezing; the ice it forms then melts and overflows the pan. You may also notice the unit cooling weakly or running constantly. This needs a technician to measure and correct the charge, since refrigerant handling is regulated in BC.
Other commissioning-related causes include a condensate pump that wasn't wired or primed correctly on installs that can't drain by gravity, insulation that was left off the refrigerant lines (causing the lines themselves to sweat and drip), and a unit that wasn't mounted dead level, so condensate runs to the wrong corner of the pan and over the edge.
None of these reflect a faulty unit — they reflect setup details that need adjustment, which is exactly what a return commissioning visit is for.
What to Do About a Leaking New Install
First, contact whoever installed the system — a leak this soon is normally an installation matter and should be addressed under the workmanship warranty. Turn the unit off to stop adding water and protect anything beneath it. It's fine to check and clean the air filter and to confirm the outdoor drain exit isn't kinked or blocked, but resist the urge to re-pitch lines, open the unit, or touch the refrigerant charge yourself — that can complicate warranty coverage and involves regulated work.
Keep your documentation handy: the install date, the model, photos of where the water appears, and any paperwork. It speeds up the diagnosis and the warranty conversation.
Heat pumps are serviced by our parent company, CanroHeat. If your new heat pump is leaking and you need it assessed and corrected, call 604-359-1081. We'll determine whether it's a slope, connection, drainage, or charge issue and put it right.
Costs and Warranty Considerations
When a leak is clearly down to the original installation, correcting it is often covered under the installer's workmanship warranty, so out-of-pocket cost may be little or nothing — start there. If a paid service visit is needed, costs depend on the cause: correcting drain slope, reseating a connection, or priming a condensate pump is usually modest, while a refrigerant charge correction varies and can't be quoted without checking the system.
Acting early protects you. Addressing a new-install leak promptly limits water damage and keeps the situation clearly within the installation timeframe, which matters for warranty.
For a clear assessment and quote, call CanroHeat at 604-359-1081. We'll diagnose the cause, tell you whether it's a warranty or repair matter, and confirm any price before starting work.