One of the most common problems we come across during the summer months are issues with water leaking near the indoor unit. If you notice water around your air handler unit, it is a sign that something is wrong. Your unit can produce about 20 gallons of water during a single summer day! This can become a HUGE problem for your home if the water is not draining properly. Ceilings can collapse, floors could be damaged, and if gone undetected could cause your home to have issues with mold and mildew.
During the cooling phase, it is normal for your system to produce water. The indoor evaporator coil and refrigerant lines form condensation, which runs down the coil to the drain pan, then out through the drain lines. Your drain line goes into the ground, outside of the house, or to a condensate pump.
If your evaporator coil is dirty, instead of the water running down the coil to the drain pan, it will hit the dirt and drip onto the floor. Another effect of having a dirty coil is that it can cause your drain line to clog. The dirt and dust can mix with the water and end up in your drain pan, in turn clogging your drain line.
Sometimes your indoor coil can actually freeze-up. When the ice eventually melts, it could drip onto your floor. Like water, you should never see ice anywhere on your system during the cooling season.
Luckily there are a couple of things that you can do to prevent water leaks in your heat pump system. First of all, CHANGE YOUR FILTERS REGULARLY! You should replace your filters every 30 days or as needed. Keeping your filters clean helps to keep your indoor coil clean as well. We recommend using non-pleated, 30 day filters over the more expensive kind. Secondly, you should have your coils cleaned semi-annually. Most HVAC contractors offer preventative maintenance agreements that include cleaning coils, clearing drain lines and replacing filters among other things.
Davis Heating & AC offers an Energy Savings Agreement, which is preventative maintenance on your HVAC system. The agreement covers for two tune-ups, once in the spring and once again in the fall. By investing in a preventative maintenance agreement, we can alert you of problems and repair them before it’s too late. It can also save you money on your utility bill and help maximize the life expectancy of your system. Give us a call for pricing and more information on our Energy Savings Agreement. 910-333-1954