Hvac Water Drainage

The amount of condensate the unit produces varies increasing as the outdoor humidity level rises.

Hvac water drainage. The water that drains from a central air conditioning unit is condensate that has accumulated on the cooling coils within the unit. A clogged drain pipe is the most common cause of standing water in the drain pan. The drain pipe is clogged. Treat the pan with tablets.

This humidity is left behind in the form of condensation on the coils. If you have water pouring from your ceiling the leak could be from a clog in your plumbing system or it could be your hvac condensate drain overflowing because it is stopped up. One way to tell is to locate your condensate drain which will usually be sitting above an open drain pan in your attic. If you have an indoor air handler in your attic or utility closet you ll need to find the condensate pan.

An auxiliary drain pan without a separate drain line but instead provided with a water level detection device a switch that senses the presence of water in the drain pan conforming to ul 508. Air conditioners pull humidity out of the air and funnel the resulting water or condensate into a drain. Pan tablets are available at most home centers and plumbing supply stores. The water or condensate detection switch in the drainless condensate overflow pan is wired to shut down the equipment.

How to clean your air conditioner drain 1. If you see standing water in the drain pan your drain. The condensate drain removes condensation produced by your air conditioners evaporator coil. A dry well is a hole filled with gravel and rock which provides a place for the water to collect and slowly seep into the surrounding subsoil.

Another potential cause of water pooling around an indoor hvac unit may be an iced over indoor coil. Turn off the power to your hvac system at the thermostat and at the breaker. In an arid climate where relative humidity remains well below 50 percent most of the time the evaporator coil in a residential central air conditioner will send about about 5 gallons of water down. Surface water runs into the catch basin and is routed away in buried drainage pipes.

Also if the drain is clogged it will prevent water from draining so you may need to clean out the drain. If the condensate drain isn t cleaned mold can grow inside the drain causing humidity odors and water damage. Water around furnace means clogged condensate drain clearing a clogged condensate drain. If there s no place to route the drainage pipes you can construct a dry well at the lowest point.