heavy central A/C condensation drip
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Hello,
got a quick question for any A/C gurus here. This summer, the condensation dripping from the condensation pipe from my central A/C seems MUCH heavier than in previous years. There is almost always a large standing puddle on the ground where the condensation pipe terminates. In previous years, it has been a little damp, but never a puddle.
The A/C seems to function fine. It cools the house well, and doesn’t make any strange noises. I don’t know much about A/C units. Is heavy condensation a sign of a problem, or should I just chalk it up to a possible variation in the weather this year. I’m in D.C. wich is always a bit humid, but it’s possible this year is more humid than previous. I don’t really notice. Humid is humid.
Oh yeah, I haven’t cleaned the filter as religiously as I should. It’s probably ready to be cleaned. Don’t know if that matters as far as condensation goes. I know it does matter as far as the life of the unit goes.
Thanks for your help.
-Dan
Replies
Dehumidification is a normal part of an air conditioning process. It is largely dependent on the relative humidity inside the home, how many air exchanges take place per hour (how tight is the building envelope), and of course current weather conditions. If the DC area has had the same wet spring and now summer that we have had in KY, I would expect a higher than normal condensate discharge than durrung a more normal season. If you have had wet season, I would also expect that more of your normal outside activities have remained inside i.e, grilling vs. cooking on the stove. Even with a good exhaust fan cooking will add to the rh inside the home and the ac will remove it.
I would not worry about it, if evrything else is working normally. Plant a bunch of flowers near the drain and let it water them for you.
Dave
Thanks Dave. I kind of figured that's what the story was, but wanted to make sure I wasn't doing something dumb by ignoring a symptom of a larger problem. The unit really seems to work fine, so I don't think there is a problem.
Thanks again.
-Dan
Just today, I saw a related problem: An air handler for an AC unit is in a basement and is leaking water all over the floor. (Very humid here in Mass. these days.) A PVC pipe is supposed to be conducting the condensate from the cooling coils to a small pump that sends the water outside. The pump seems to be working fine and water is dripping out of the ductwork where the pan under the coils is located. I'm guessing the pipe that drains the pan is clogged, or the connection is leaking.
Is it common for these pipes to get clogged? Is the a way to clean them without taking them apart? The PVC is all glued together and there are no clean-outs.
Thanks!
Al Mollitor, Sharon MA
Al, this happens on occassion, usually because slime gets built up in the condensate tray or piping. Mine overflowed a few years ago, so now in the fall I take the drain piping apart and clean it with a mild bleach solution. But, when they installed my air handler drain line, they put a union in the PVC so I can address that issue. (They just never told me why it was installed.)
Depending on air handler configuration, you may or may not be able to get to the drain tray and drain hole to maybe stick an air hose in and blow it out. (I wouldn't use air and blow it out in reverse, that slime would make a mess in the handler.)
But why not go to the big box, find the pvc fittings you need, and install a union? Blow out the pipe at the same time. It'll be a lot easier to clean in the future. Look at the handler, figure out what you need, and install it.
I never met a tool I didn't like!
Thanks, Nick. Sounds like a good idea.
Al
Another way is just duct tape your wet vac. to the pipe and suck it out. If you can get to your A coil spray some no rinse coil cleaner on it and pour a teaspoon of bleach in the drain pan.
When I put my dehumidifier to bed in the fall, I toss in some bleach to clean out the slime. I've piped the dehumidifier to the A/H condensate pump, but I was wondering if the bleach will damage the pump. It's no more than a glorified water fan, but the access to the impeller from the bottom of the tank is sealed by an o-ring. Any idea if the bleach will deteriorate the rubber?
I never met a tool I didn't like!
I have been teaching Standard First Aid and CPR for the American Red Cross for 17 years. They reccomend a bleach solution of 1/4 cup to 1 gallon of water for dissinfection of the cpr manigens. The manigen faces are made of a real soft rubberise material. I haven't seen on cracked or deterriate yet, and they are wiped down thousnds of times a year. Based on that experience, I don't think a teaspoon of bleach run through a pump wold hurt an o-ring. I would not let it soak in a strong solution of bleach for a long time. Even a strong solution of bleach in a resvoir of water won't last much more than a day or so even if just left standing. The chlorine in standard household bleach (sodium hypochlorite) will evaporate out of water very quickly. Running a weak solution of bleach across plastic or neopreme rubber parts followed by the infinite dilution of condensate water from system operation should not harm them.
Dan,
I am in Southern Maryland and have noticed the same thing at my business. The parking lot in constantly wet from the condensate runoff. I am almost certain is it because of the humidity this year. It seems to be worse than normal. Have not noticed it much at home, but I have the drain line run under a driveway almost twenty feet from the house, so I dont notice it much.
There will be no dripping if you just insulate the pipe more. Your losing cold there.
He said it was leaking out of the duct work at the drain pan, not the pipe sweating.