Air conditioning condensate...

[recycled sixtie]

I got a call from one of the condo owners who lives directly below our rented condo.
She is complaining about water dripping from our air conditioning unit on to her balcony and states that there could be damage from the unit dripping water down the wall and on the stucco.

At the time I checked it the unit was not running. However there are still drips coming out of the pipe. Nothing major but enough to be noticed on the floor below.

The name of the built in air cond. unit is Fujitsu Halcyon inverter. It is about 7 years old so the warranty is likely expired.

The temp here is about 80F.
Tell me that there is no chance of condensate if the air cond is not on but could happen after turning off?

What are the solutions here? Does it mean the unit is getting inefficient if it drips too much?
Some condensate is normal right?
What is the solution for getting rid of the water so avoid dripping below?

Thanks in advance,
Guy

[red-beard]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

I got a call from one of the condo owners who lives directly below our rented condo.
She is complaining about water dripping from our air conditioning unit on to her balcony and states that there could be damage from the unit dripping water down the wall and on the stucco.

At the time I checked it the unit was not running. However there are still drips coming out of the pipe. Nothing major but enough to be noticed on the floor below.

The name of the built in air cond. unit is Fujitsu Halcyon inverter. It is about 7 years old so the warranty is likely expired.

The temp here is about 80F.
Tell me that there is no chance of condensate if the air cond is not on but could happen after turning off?

What are the solutions here? Does it mean the unit is getting inefficient if it drips too much?
Some condensate is normal right?
What is the solution for getting rid of the water so avoid dripping below?

Thanks in advance,
Guy

It can drip for sometime after it has stopped running. Condensate is normal and means the unit is dehumidifying the air. As far as a solution, get longer tube/hose and pipe the drip somewhere else, like a flower bed.

[masraum]

Most AC units drain into your plumbing (for instance into the same pipe as a bathroom drain). Then if that drain gets clogged, they have a backup drain that usually drips past a window or something more visible as a clue that the other drain has clogged. I think your primary drain is clogged and needs to be fixed. Any AC is going to have condensation unless you're living someplace super dry where there is no moisture to get out of the air.


backup drain

[red-beard]

Pretty sure it is a mini-split unit, not a whole house unit.

[Tidybuoy]

I'm in the middle of having and AC unit installed in a section of our Plant. This is a commercial building but I just wanted to add that our installer told me code requires the consendate pluming to be routed into the main sewer line.

This came up because it is adding considerably to the cost of install and I thought we could just run the consendate pipe off the roof but I was told that that would not be to code.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Tidybuoy

I'm in the middle of having and AC unit installed in a section of our Plant. This is a commercial building but I just wanted to add that our installer told me code requires the consendate pluming to be routed into the main sewer line.

This came up because it is adding considerably to the cost of install and I thought we could just run the consendate pipe off the roof but I was told that that would not be to code.

Back in the olden days they let us run the condensate to rain gutters or a roof drain... but they also let us run it in PVC and toward the end of my stint as an HAVC dude we had to run copper.

[Hugh R]

Try running a piece of wire up the pipe, it can get clogged with algae and impede drainage allowing it to drip for a long time after shut-off, it can also cause the pan to overflow.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Try running a piece of wire up the pipe, it can get clogged with algae and impede drainage allowing it to drip for a long time after shut-off, it can also cause the pan to overflow.

Yep, on the big industrial roof top units I would have to scrape out the condensate pans every few years.

and blow Freon down the condensate pipe to clear it... kids, don't try this at home.

[Geoz1]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Try running a piece of wire up the pipe, it can get clogged with algae and impede drainage allowing it to drip for a long time after shut-off, it can also cause the pan to overflow.

Spot on advice!!!

[Geoz1]

Originally Posted by scottmandue

Yep, on the big industrial roof top units I would have to scrape out the condensate pans every few years.

and blow Freon down the condensate pipe to clear it... kids, don't try this at home.

Spring/fall maintenance contracts avoid unnecessary service calls. Coil cleaner kills the algae, and breaks it up.


If I knew Freon would be selling for 80. a lb. today, I would have been more frugal with it.

[billybek]

Some mini splits run the condensate back to a pan in the condensing section.
The heat from the condenser and air movement re evaporates the condensate water and dumps it outside.
Some through the wall or window A/C units have slinger rings to throw the condensed water on the condenser to assist in heat rejection. Not sure about the mini splits.

What is the make and model number and do you have an photo of the install?

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

I got a call from one of the condo owners who lives
The name of the built in air cond. unit is Fujitsu Halcyon inverter. It is about 7 years old so the warranty is likely expired.


Guy

Hi Billy,
The name of the a/c unit is above. I am not at the condo right now as every time I go there I need there permission. The outlet unit is mounted in the bedroom on top of the wall.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by Hugh R

Try running a piece of wire up the pipe, it can get clogged with algae and impede drainage allowing it to drip for a long time after shut-off, it can also cause the pan to overflow.

I will try that and you are probably right in that it drips even though the unit has been shut down. However it does not solve the problem of condensate coming out which it will do anyway. The solution for me is to get the condensate to go somewhere so that it does not bother anybody. Seeing that this unit has been installed about eight years ago with no maintenance then it is probably due!

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by red-beard

It can drip for sometime after it has stopped running. Condensate is normal and means the unit is dehumidifying the air. As far as a solution, get longer tube/hose and pipe the drip somewhere else, like a flower bed.

Yes James your flower bed solution is a very cute one. I would have to get an extension to the existing condensate tube which has the outlet about 3 inches above the balcony membrane. I could run it into a low lying flower pot on the balcony.

Any attempt to reroute it into the condo plumbing system would be expensive. I don't know current code in Edmonton re what has to be done now.

After this unit has been installed for about 8 years now I am thinking that if this unit is properly serviced then it might reduce the condensate? It is strange that the downstairs tenant has complained for the first time in 8 years so the volume of condensate may have increased. Yesterday I started wiping the dust off the back of the outside element.
Perhaps I should take a vacuum cleaner and clean it better and it might make it more efficient and make less condensation?

Thanks all. I can see the condensate is starting to erode the stucco on the outside wall so I have to do something about it!

[javadog]

The amount of condensate produced is a function of how much water vapor is in the air and how much the unit is run. If you are seeing more now, perhaps it is because the humidity is higher, or whoever lives there is running the unit more than in the past.

[recycled sixtie]

Originally Posted by javadog

The amount of condensate produced is a function of how much water vapor is in the air and how much the unit is run. If you are seeing more now, perhaps it is because the humidity is higher, or whoever lives there is running the unit more than in the past.

Good points JD.

[scottmandue]

RE: The continued dripping (note I haven't touched an A/C unit in +20 years, transferred to being a computer jockey.)

I have fuzzy memories that if a unit starts to leak Freon the coil can start to ice up.

[Tobra]

Primary drain is probably plugged, that is likely the secondary drain

[RKDinOKC]

My A/C has a drip pan and drain. Has sensors and will not run A/C if pan gets too full, ie drain clogged. HVAC unit is in garage closet with water heater. Both are attached to a sewer drain. No option for either to drip anywhere.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by recycled sixtie

After this unit has been installed for about 8 years now I am thinking that if this unit is properly serviced then it might reduce the condensate? It is strange that the downstairs tenant has complained for the first time in 8 years so the volume of condensate may have increased. it!

You need to get a tech out there to service the unit. He'll spray the condenser coils with the magic cleaner they use, clear the drain, check pressures. You do not want to reduce condensate. The condensate means it's working. Unless it has been running down the side of the building since it was first installed you have a clogged drain.