Common Questions About Air Conditioner Condensation

There are several signs that your air conditioner is in proper working order. As it operates, you’ll probably notice that the central unit collects moisture in the form of condensation. It’s a normal aspect of a working HVAC system, but people still occasionally want to know more about it. If you’ve ever been curious about air conditioner condensation, here are some of the common questions and answers on the subject.

What Causes Air Conditioner Condensation?

Remember, your air conditioner isn’t just simply cooling the air in your home, it’s conditioning it as well. As air circulates through, your AC unit’s evaporator coil pulls humidity from the air in order to make your environment more comfortable. This humidity reappears as condensation within the central unit. The more humid your climate, the more air conditioner condensation you’ll encounter.

How Much Condensation Is Normal?

As mentioned above, your “normal” amount of air conditioner condensation depends entirely on the humidity of your climate. So, in arid environments, your air conditioner won’t be pulling much moisture out of the air and might produce as little as five gallons of condensation per day. Conversely, climates with high humidity result in much higher levels of condensation. It’s not uncommon for 20 gallons per day to be drained away in these cases.

What Happens to Air Conditioner Condensation?

Obviously, this excess moisture doesn’t just remain in your central AC unit. In most cases, there is a condensate drain pipe. It can operate either simply by gravity, or with the help of a pump. As a side note, it is important to routinely check (usually at the beginning of cooling season) that your drain pipe isn’t clogged. If water is being discharged from the drain pipe back into your AC unit, this is a sign of significant clogging, and you’ll need to call for maintenance.

Is Air Conditioner Condensation Just Normal Water?

Some have wondered if circulating through an AC system changes the chemical makeup of condensation. Fear not, because air conditioner condensation is no different than ordinary water. In fact, there are even some creative methods of funneling condensation away and using it to water plants! However, there is one exception to note. If you have had a chemical coil cleaning performed on your air conditioner, allow two weeks before attempting to repurpose condensate in any way.

Air conditioner condensation is a common part of a normally-operating HVAC system, but if you notice an excess of condensation or difficulties in draining, give the experts at Stan’s AC a call. Since 1954, we’ve serviced the greater Austin area with exceptional workmanship and attention to detail, and can help with all your HVAC maintenance needs! For repairs, replacements, and installations of all kinds, Stan’s is here to help.