You might be surprised to learn that your home's central air conditioning has a second important function after cooling. If it's working properly, the A/C should also be dehumidifying the air in your home. Cool, moist air can feel clammy and uncomfortable, which defeats the ultimate goal of air conditioning: home comfort. The moisture that's being removed from the air has to go somewhere, and that place is the A/C's condensate collection pan and drain, which eventually connect to a home's sewer drainage system.
Unless you schedule regular professional maintenance for your cooling system, A/C condensate drain problems can arise. Following are a few of the more common issues.
Overflowing
A correctly functioning A/C condensate drainage system should allow condensation that's been removed from the air to drip into a collect pan, then drain smoothly away. However, if the condensate line becomes blocked – perhaps by algae or dust and debris – the water will back up into the home, potentially damaging walls, floors, carpets and fixtures. If you're not checking the area regularly, significant damage may occur before you're ever aware of it.
Issues With the Drain Trap
Central air conditioners usually route condensed water through a drain line that has a U-shaped trap, similar to the one in the toilet drain. This common plumbing fixture keeps sewer gases and fumes in the connected sewer line from backing up into the house via the condensate drain line. If you're smelling foul odors coming from A/C supply vents, this could mean the drain trap isn't working correctly. You'll want an A/C technician or plumber to attend to this situation immediately.
Mold Growth
The dark, musty atmosphere near the condensate collection pan and drain is an ideal environment for mold growth, as well as mildew and bacteria. From this spot, mold spores and other contaminants can easily infect household air during A/C operation. These materials also can collect on the evaporator coil, forcing the air conditioner to work harder to cool your home.
To avoid common A/C condensate drain problems in your Fort Wayne home, contact us at Hartman Heating & Air Conditioning.
Our goal is to help educate our customers in New Haven, Indiana and surrounding Fort Wayne area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C condensate drains and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.
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