The answer to 'why is my air filter leaking water' is that a leaking air filter is often caused by excessive moisture buildup in the HVAC system. This can happen when the air conditioner's evaporator coil is not properly draining condensation, causing water to back up and leak through the air filter.
Some common causes include a clogged condensate drain line, a malfunctioning condensate pump, or a problem with the evaporator coil itself. Symptoms may include water pooling around the air handler, musty odors, or visible water dripping from the filter.