Considering how many possible things can go wrong with a complex system like a modern air conditioner, it’s impressive that malfunctions are rare during most of their service lives. It helps, of course, to have professionals install an AC in the first place and to provide annual maintenance; these services will reduce repair issues to a minimum.
But no air conditioner can completely avoid all mishaps, no matter how much care it receives. During this summer, your home’s AC may run into a number of malfunctions that can impair its abilities. A clogged condensate drain is one of the possibilities.
The role of the condensate drain
As your air conditioner’s evaporator coil draws heat out of the indoor air, it also collects moisture with the heat. The moisture condenses along the coil and drips off it. Instead of falling out of the indoor AC unit or collecting inside the cabinet, it instead falls into a condensate pan located beneath the coil. The pan is shallow, around an inch deep, but a pump removes the excess water through a condensate drain.
The problems with a clogged condensate drain
Like any drain, a condensate drain can become blocked or clogged. Algal growth is the most likely culprit for why a condensate drain turns slow or becomes fully clogged. When this occurs, the water in the pan will rapidly fill up and begin to overflow. This can lead to water damage around the air conditioner’s indoor cabinet, the development of mold, and a general increase in humidity inside your home. It can also create damage inside the cabinet that will impair the air conditioner’s performance.
If you start to notice water spots around your AC or detect an increase in your indoor humidity, you should call an HVAC professional to investigate the condensate pan and drain. Professionals can detach the pan from the drain, clean the drain, and then reattach it. Sometimes they may need to repair the condensate pump as well.
Whatever repairs you require for your air conditioning this summer in Winnetka, IL, rely on the professionals at Malek Heating & Cooling.