First off, condensation in the aircon unit is completely normal and can be handled automatically. As the aircon unit cools or warms the air, some of the moisture gets trapped in the trunking, forming water droplets. You shouldn’t notice any condensation when everything is functioning optimally.
The same process that causes a cold glass of iced tea to form water droplets on its exterior in the summer causes condensation on your aircon unit. As your aircon unit’s evaporator coil cools warm air that passes over it, absorbing heat and moisture from the air, condensation forms.
As this condensation drips down, it collects in your unit’s drain pan and if it’s properly maintained and not clogged through the condensate drain line and out of your home.
What causes Aircon Condensation?
An aircon unit’s inside unit contains the evaporator coil that cools the warm air blown over it. This causes condensation (moisture) to form on the coil, just like how water droplets form on a cold glass of water on a hot day.
Can Condensation harm my Aircon Unit?
Condensation is normal for properly running aircon units. Excess condensation, like sweating ducts and drips from outside the unit cabinet indicates a problem with your aircon unit and points to an aircon issue that requires emergency repair service.
Without prompt attention, excess condensation could overwhelm your aircon unit’s drainage system, causing damage to your home. This damage can range from high humidity levels that lead to mold and mildew proliferation and spots, to structural damage from drainage water that accumulates and puddles.
What possible Aircon Issues could result in Condensation?
Condensation pan problems
Your aircon unit condensation pan collects condensate water from the evaporator coil and sends it to an external drain however over time condensate pans can crack which can lead to water running through the unit and spilling out causing damage to the unit and to the home.
Pro 338 Tip: Use a wet-dry vac to clean the overflow pan and inspect the bottom, corners, and edges with a flashlight. You can temporarily fix a cracked drain pan with water sealant, but it is best to just replace the damaged item.
Keep in mind that there are usually two drain pans, one located just underneath your evaporator coils which are permanently fixed, and the other underneath the unit which is removable. If you decide to patch up the leak, you will have to leave the permanent one in place while you do it.
You will have to call a professional aircon servicing company for the primary pan replacement since it is welded in place, but auxiliary pans can be replaced by the do-it-yourselfer.
Clogged or dislodged drain line
If bacteria and fungus build up in the drain line, it can become clogged. It is also not uncommon for drain lines to become dislodged or outdoor drain line components to become obstructed. When this happens, your condensation pan will overflow, causing water to leak into your home.
Pro 338 Tip: Modern aircon units have automatic shut-off switches for clogged aircon unit filters and condensate lines. If your aircon unit won’t turn on, check your aircon unit filter and drain line first.
However, if your drain line isn’t connected properly, you will want to call for a professional aircon servicing company for immediate repairs.
Broken condensation pump
In homes with basements, a pump assists in the removal of water from your aircon unit. If this pump breaks, water will leak into your basement. Because this area of the home is not commonly frequented, extensive damage could occur before you notice drainage issues.
Dirty air filter leading to frozen evaporator coil
Dirty aircon unit filters don’t facilitate adequate airflow over the evaporator coil. Without proper airflow, the coil gets too cold and freezes. When this ice melts, dripping into the condensation pan, it can overflow.
Frozen evaporator coils mean that your refrigerant can no longer take in the heat from your home. This will lead to warm air or no air and potential problems for your compressor. If you notice a frozen evaporator coil, turn the unit off immediately and do not turn it on again until the cause of the problem is remedied.
Pro 338 Tip: You can avoid frozen evaporator coils by replacing your air filter every 30-90 days and not covering any aircon unit vents or registers.
Low refrigerant charge
If your aircon unit is low on refrigerant, this can also cause the evaporator coil to freeze, which likewise can result in an overflowing condensation pan as ice melts.
Here are some tricks to stop condensation on your aircon unit:
1) Instead of metal, choose fiberglass or other insulating materials for your ductwork. In case you have metal ducts, make sure they are appropriately wrapped with fiberglass insulation. You can always ask help from your professional aircon servicing company when it comes to these matters.
2) Try to reduce the humidity level in the air near the aircon unit. A professional aircon servicing company may recommend a dehumidifier if that helps to reduce the condensation. It would also help while a threat of the pandemic is still going on.
3) Unblock any ducts that are restricting the airflow of your aircon unit and have them cleaned and checked by a professional aircon servicing sg company regularly.
4) Regularly clean your air filters. A professional aircon servicing company recommends having your aircon unit filters change once every three months.
Pro 338 Tip: You should be changing out the aircon unit filter more during hot summer days when your aircon unit will be running for extended periods of time. Set calendar reminders to check your aircon unit filter at the beginning of every month.
If replacing your aircon unit filter doesn’t fix the problem, you might have a low refrigerant charge, which requires the services of a professional aircon servicing company.
5) Repair leaking ducts as early as possible. A thorough inspection of your aircon unit or your entire system done by a professional aircon servicing company will be very beneficial in order to achieve the optimum performance of your aircon unit.
It’s always a good time to talk about the common issues that aircon units have. This way, you’ll be able to spot if there are problems with your unit or not and prepare for its replacement accordingly. If you require our aircon servicing services, Whatsapp us at +65 9222 4141 for a fast and transparent quote.
338 Aircon Servicing Singapore provides an extensive range of Aircon Services including Aircon Servicing, Aircon Repairs, Aircon Installation of the best aircon brands, Chemical Overhaul, Gas Top-up, Aircon Leaking Water, and Aircon Not Cold Fix, and more. We have a team of professional technicians who are equipped with vast knowledge and experience in the Aircon industry.
We have over 15 years of experience in dealing with aircon works and have completed thousands of aircon works for both residential (Landed, Condo, and HDB) and commercial. We are a highly recommended Aircon Company in Singapore, with many delighted customers and reviews over the years on Google and Facebook.
WhatsApp us at +65 9222 4141 for a transparent quotation and honest pricing for all your aircon needs or Call us at +65 9222 4141. We offer a fast and efficient service to serve any of your aircon needs!
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