Your air conditioner doesn’t just keep you cool; it also helps with air quality, including reducing humidity. Humidity is a great holder of heat and energy and, when there is too much, the air feels even hotter than it is. In order to help balance the air quality, including the humidity, your air conditioning unit has to remove some of it so that the dry, cool air can do its job. We all know how humid it can get around here – sometimes it can feel like a wet blanket – so you know that your unit is pulling a great deal of moisture from your property’s air. Where does it go? We’ll explain below.
The Drain Pan
Every HVAC system comes with built-in mechanics that help to remove the condensate water outside. The main piece of these mechanics is the condensate drain pan.
The condensate drain pan lies under the coils of the system. The pan’s bottom slopes, allowing the water to run down the pan into an exit pipe. This exit pipe can lead directly into the property’s water/sewer line to complete the drain, or it can lead outside where it brings the water away from the home.
It is extremely important that the condensate tray always drain properly. If it doesn’t, the water will come to a stand-still and begin to develop microbes and bacteria. These microbes and bacteria will filter through the entire system, eventually blowing directly into the property through the ductwork.
What to Expect from an Inspection of Your Unit’s Drainage
The best way to ensure that your AC unit is draining properly is to schedule regular maintenance and inspections. When an expert conducts his/her inspection, he/she will do the following:
- Remove any obstacles or debris that may be blocking access to the unit
- Check the drain pan for excess water
- Clean the drain pan as needed
- Check the drain pipe for any possible debris blockage
- Make sure the connection between the drain pan and the drain pipe is solid and that the connection is between the lowest point of the drain pan to the drain pipe
- Check the water trap in the drain pipe
If there are any issues with the draining system, they need to be fixed immediately to ensure proper drainage of the unit.
How Much Water Should Be Draining?
Our Lake Worth, FL climate gets quite humid, so it is not unusual to see up to 20 gallons of condensate water drain per day. However, if you see or notice that either too much or too little water is coming out of your drain pipe, it’s time to call Envirotech Air Quality Services for an inspection.
Be Safe Instead of Sick
Excess water that stagnates can become dangerous to your health. Don’t risk the chance of infecting your home with bacteria from your HVAC system. Call Envirotech Air Quality Services today and make sure your Lake Worth, FL property is healthy, cool and comfortable.
