All room air conditioners drip - or at least they should.
But drips in the wrong place or the wrong volume of dripping water may be signs of.
Why air conditioners drip: As the name suggests, air conditioners do more than simply cool the air. They help condition the air and increase comfort by reducing humidity.
The basic concept is similar to the condensation that collects on an iced drink. The air conditioner's cooling coil or evaporator absorbs moisture from the room. The airborne water vapor cools into liquid form and then collects on cold surfaces in the air conditioning unit.
How much air conditioners drip: The volume of dripping condensation varies widely, depending on humidity levels and temperature, as well as size, efficiency and installation of the air conditioner.
On a summer day in a hot, humid climate, a window air conditioner can drip up to 2 gallons of water per day.
Central air conditioning systems can collect 20 gallons of water per day. Some homeowners collect and divert the collected water for irrigation. It is, however, unsafe to drink, because of the risk of lead exposure and other contaminants.
Where air conditioners drip: The condensed water should leak from the back of the air conditioner unit whenever it is running. The water drips from the cooling coil into channels that should be angled toward the back of the unit. Some of the water is used to cool heating coils in the machine, but most will drip out of the unit.
If a unit is not dripping, it may not properly be dehumidifying the room. If it is dripping from locations other than the back of the unit, you might have a problem.
Troubleshooting: A common problem is water dripping out the front of the unit, caused by installation errors. Such drips can ruin furniture or flooring and may cause mold.
The back of the air conditioner should be slightly lower than the front to encourage proper drainage.
Water dripping from the sides or front of the unit could also be caused by air leaks. If the air conditioner is not properly sealed in place, hot outside air could become dripping condensation when it hits the cool air conditioning surfaces. You may need to caulk and insulate around the air conditioner to address the problem. This will also boost efficiency and could reduce energy bills.
If the water freezes into ice rather than dripping out, the air conditioner likely needs servicing. If no water is dripping out, the drains may be blocked, which also likely requires professional service. |
