Condensation In Attic From Air Conditioning
The simple physics behind sweating is.
Condensation in attic from air conditioning. Poor insulation can cause condensation to build up within your system and drain via the ac vents. The condensation drip from the condenser is carried from the inside to the outside. If your air ducts primarily run through the attic keep in mind that many attic spaces are not insulated. Condensation forms when warm humid air comes into contact with a colder surface like your air conditioner s ductwork.
Improper or no insulation of ducts. Water builds up in the ceiling and eventually there will be a drip if the homeowner is lucky. A missing air conditioning system condensate drip tray risks leaks into the attic ceiling where air conditioner condensate can damage the building or cause a hidden mold problem especially if condensate is leaking onto the upper hidden by insulation attic side of drywall forming a ceiling of a room located below the equipment. Occasionally the secondary condensation pan will also clog and not drain.
The air in your vented attic is hot and humid just like all outdoor air in florida. As the humidity level rises outdoors condensation will gradually begin to form on the surface of your air conditioning ducts. Air handling units in attics should have a secondary condensation pan in case the primary condensation pan overflows. The colder the air is inside the duct the greater the chance of ductwork sweating.
If you didn t put insulation in yourself don t assume it s there. Check that the condensation is being removed. The colder the air the more likely it is that water will condense. It s usually located outdoors next to the compressor.
The condensation drain line is plugged. Condensation condensation forms when the water vapor in the air drops out of suspension and condenses into a liquid form. Puddling of water around the drip pan is usually noted. Whenever there is a contact between the hot humid air and cold metal surface then there will be sweating or condensation on the metal surface so it is very important to have a proper insulation for the air handler ducts in case the portion of the duct is coming in contact with the unconditioned air outside.
Condensation from uninsulated ducts the problem. Condensate leakage occurs if the plastic condensate drip pan beneath the air handler develops a hole or crack. The line is a pvc pipe that runs from the condenser inside your house to the outside next to the compressor. For instance a clog in your drain line can cause condensation from your ac unit to back up and spill out over the catch pan leading to mold in your insulation and drywall rotting attic floor joists and ceiling leaks in the rooms below your attic all things you don t want for your home trust us.
When the hot humid attic air contacts the cold duct or the cold duct boot the moisture in the air condenses on the cold surface just like the condensation that happens on a cold can of beer. It s a natural process and similar to the way a chilled soda begins to sweat once you take it out of the refrigerator on a hot day. Check the condensation line.