Hello All. I live in state New York Sullivan County. I just checked my Air condition Filter up in the Attic. To my sup price the Filter is dripping wet and water logged to the point that it is almost falling apart. Also the filter is full of mold. The system is about two Years old and this is the second filter. The filter was installed at the beginning of the Summer 2009 and running all Summer. The system is now shot of since late Fall. I will be buying a new Filter this morning. The question is :” why is it so wet. Should it be so wet. ” Is there some thing wrong with the whole System? I will wait to install the new Filter till late Spring or early Summer when I turn the Unit on again Hilmar
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Replies
Two possibilities: First, it may be that the internal drain pan of the unit is clogged, and water is collecting and dripping/splashing onto the filter.
Second, since this is winter, warm, moist air from the house may have been circulating through the AC unit (due to fan, convection, or air leakage through the ductwork) and condensing on the filter. If the AC unit is in an unconditioned attic this is a good possibility.
And, no, the filter shouldn't be wet. And likely the AC is improperly installed.
Hello Dan.
*****Second, since this is winter, warm, moist air from the house may have been circulating through the AC unit (due to fan, convection, or air leakage through the ductwork) and condensing on the filter. If the AC unit is in an unconditioned attic this is a good possibility.****
All the ducts in and outlets are closed. Yes the attic is cold.
There is no water in the pan.
***And likely the AC is improperly installed.***
How would I know that? What should I look for?
Hilmar
Having the grilles closed only slows down the air a little. Warm, moist air from the house **will** sift through the closed grilles.
***And likely the AC is improperly installed.***
How would I know that? What should I look for?
If you have an attic-installed AC unit in a northern climate then it's almost axiomatic that it's improperly installed. At a minimum, to be properly installed, the unit and all ductwork must be COMPLETELY insulated, and all joints must be tightly sealed with silver tape or mastic (not "duct tape"). If flexible ductwork is used at all the pieces used should be short and reasonably straight, with no kinks.