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condensate --> ice on air conditioning evaporator coil?
Our home central A/C has developed a problem recently - water sometimes
drips out of the ducting surrounding the evaporator coil at a high rate. Cooling in the home seems to be diminished as well. This condition is sporadic, and we never had the problem in years past. I've also heard sporadic banging sounds coming from inside the duct from this area. Today I formed the hypothesis that condensate is freezing on the evaporator, blocking airflow. The banging could be ice falling off the evaporator, and the fairly significant water could be the ice melting. Does this sound like a plausible/likely explanation? What other things might cause this problem? What ultimately is the cause. And what should I do about it? Part of my hypothesis is that after several years of drought and dry weather (here in sodden Maryland), this year's rainfall has meant high humidity and hence more condensate than in the past. Could it also be that grime/dust has built up on the heat fins in the evaporator? Is opening up the ducts and cleaning these something reasonable to think about doing, or does build up usually signal the need for a new evaporator/heat exchanger? Is cleaning practical without specialized tools? What about insufficient airflow through the ducts - would this increase condensation and lead to ice formation (which would further restrict airflow)? If I increase the airflow (by opening all vents wide open), is the problem likely to go away? Thanks. Bill Christens-Barry -- Wm A Christens-Barry, PhD Equipoise Imaging, LLC http://www.eqpi.net/eqpi/ |
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#2
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condensate --> ice on air conditioning evaporator coil?
"Bill Christens-Barry" wrote in message ... Our home central A/C has developed a problem recently - water sometimes drips out of the ducting surrounding the evaporator coil at a high rate. Cooling in the home seems to be diminished as well. This condition is sporadic, and we never had the problem in years past. I've also heard sporadic banging sounds coming from inside the duct from this area. Today I formed the hypothesis that condensate is freezing on the evaporator, blocking airflow. The banging could be ice falling off the evaporator, and the fairly significant water could be the ice melting. Does this sound like a plausible/likely explanation? What other things might cause this problem? What ultimately is the cause. And what should I do about it? Part of my hypothesis is that after several years of drought and dry weather (here in sodden Maryland), this year's rainfall has meant high humidity and hence more condensate than in the past. Could it also be that grime/dust has built up on the heat fins in the evaporator? Is opening up the ducts and cleaning these something reasonable to think about doing, or does build up usually signal the need for a new evaporator/heat exchanger? Is cleaning practical without specialized tools? What about insufficient airflow through the ducts - would this increase condensation and lead to ice formation (which would further restrict airflow)? If I increase the airflow (by opening all vents wide open), is the problem likely to go away? Thanks. Bill Christens-Barry -- Wm A Christens-Barry, PhD Equipoise Imaging, LLC http://www.eqpi.net/eqpi/ Hey Doc, you got a feather in your cap and you earned it, but I believe your trying to diagnose something out of your league. The most sensible action to take at this point, is to call a HVAC company. The noise you hear, could be gremlins, so hurry! |
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#3
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condensate --> ice on air conditioning evaporator coil?
"Bill Christens-Barry" wrote in message ... Our home central A/C has developed a problem recently - water sometimes drips out of the ducting surrounding the evaporator coil at a high rate. Cooling in the home seems to be diminished as well. This condition is sporadic, and we never had the problem in years past. I've also heard sporadic banging sounds coming from inside the duct from this area. Mice...LOL Today I formed the hypothesis that condensate is freezing on the evaporator, blocking airflow. The banging could be ice falling off the evaporator, and the fairly significant water could be the ice melting. IT sure could be.. Does this sound like a plausible/likely explanation? What other things might cause this problem? What ultimately is the cause. And what should I do about it? in order.. yes. several dunno call a local hvac company to properly diagnose your problem. Part of my hypothesis is that after several years of drought and dry weather (here in sodden Maryland), this year's rainfall has meant high humidity and hence more condensate than in the past. Has NO bearing. None. A freezing unit, is a unit with problems...period. Could it also be that grime/dust has built up on the heat fins in the evaporator? Is opening up the ducts and cleaning these something reasonable to think about doing, or does build up usually signal the need for a new evaporator/heat exchanger? Is cleaning practical without specialized tools? in order.. Could be. No. no no. What about insufficient airflow through the ducts - would this increase condensation and lead to ice formation (which would further restrict airflow)? No, on the condensation...not a huge amount.. and yes to the ice.. If I increase the airflow (by opening all vents wide open), is the problem likely to go away? Nope. It should NOT be freezing.. Particularly if its not till now. Thanks. Bill Christens-Barry -- Wm A Christens-Barry, PhD Equipoise Imaging, LLC http://www.eqpi.net/eqpi/ |
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#4
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condensate --> ice on air conditioning evaporator coil?
We had the same problem about a month ago. We were low on freon.
Guy came, added freon and no more problems. On Wed, 2 Jul 2003 20:36:23 -0700, "CBHvac" wrote: "Bill Christens-Barry" wrote in message ... Our home central A/C has developed a problem recently - water sometimes drips out of the ducting surrounding the evaporator coil at a high rate. Cooling in the home seems to be diminished as well. This condition is sporadic, and we never had the problem in years past. I've also heard sporadic banging sounds coming from inside the duct from this area. Mice...LOL Today I formed the hypothesis that condensate is freezing on the evaporator, blocking airflow. The banging could be ice falling off the evaporator, and the fairly significant water could be the ice melting. IT sure could be.. Does this sound like a plausible/likely explanation? What other things might cause this problem? What ultimately is the cause. And what should I do about it? in order.. yes. several dunno call a local hvac company to properly diagnose your problem. Part of my hypothesis is that after several years of drought and dry weather (here in sodden Maryland), this year's rainfall has meant high humidity and hence more condensate than in the past. Has NO bearing. None. A freezing unit, is a unit with problems...period. Could it also be that grime/dust has built up on the heat fins in the evaporator? Is opening up the ducts and cleaning these something reasonable to think about doing, or does build up usually signal the need for a new evaporator/heat exchanger? Is cleaning practical without specialized tools? in order.. Could be. No. no no. What about insufficient airflow through the ducts - would this increase condensation and lead to ice formation (which would further restrict airflow)? No, on the condensation...not a huge amount.. and yes to the ice.. If I increase the airflow (by opening all vents wide open), is the problem likely to go away? Nope. It should NOT be freezing.. Particularly if its not till now. Thanks. Bill Christens-Barry -- Wm A Christens-Barry, PhD Equipoise Imaging, LLC http://www.eqpi.net/eqpi/ |
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#5
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condensate --> ice on air conditioning evaporator coil?
"Who Cares" wrote in message ... We had the same problem about a month ago. We were low on freon. Guy came, added freon and no more problems. Did he check for leaks? That Freon went someplace. |
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#6
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condensate --> ice on air conditioning evaporator coil?
Hi Who, hope you are having a nice day On 04-Jul-03 At About 07:47:58, Who Cares wrote to All Subject: condensate -- ice on air conditioning evaporator coil? WC From: Who Cares WC We had the same problem about a month ago. We were low on freon. WC Guy came, added freon and no more problems. I hope he did a leak test and repaired the leak first. -= HvacTech2 =- ... "I can levitate birds but nobody cares..." - s.w. ___ TagDude 0.92á+[DM] ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++ spam protection measure, Please remove the 33 to send e-mail |
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#7
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condensate --> ice on air conditioning evaporator coil?
"Who Cares" wrote in message ... We had the same problem about a month ago. We were low on freon. Guy came, added freon and no more problems. 1-Did he check your evap coil and blower BEFORE he did this? 2-How much refrigerant did you pay for? 3-Did he show you on the scale that it was X # of lbs? 4-did he use a scale?? 5-Did he just hook gauges up and take a jug and charge it? 6-Did he check superheat, or just go by the gauges? 7-were did he find the leak on your sealed system? 8-did he check for leaks? Sounds to me, that if he didnt do the right thing...you still got problems.. On Wed, 2 Jul 2003 20:36:23 -0700, "CBHvac" wrote: "Bill Christens-Barry" wrote in message ... Our home central A/C has developed a problem recently - water sometimes drips out of the ducting surrounding the evaporator coil at a high rate. Cooling in the home seems to be diminished as well. This condition is sporadic, and we never had the problem in years past. I've also heard sporadic banging sounds coming from inside the duct from this area. Mice...LOL Today I formed the hypothesis that condensate is freezing on the evaporator, blocking airflow. The banging could be ice falling off the evaporator, and the fairly significant water could be the ice melting. IT sure could be.. Does this sound like a plausible/likely explanation? What other things might cause this problem? What ultimately is the cause. And what should I do about it? in order.. yes. several dunno call a local hvac company to properly diagnose your problem. Part of my hypothesis is that after several years of drought and dry weather (here in sodden Maryland), this year's rainfall has meant high humidity and hence more condensate than in the past. Has NO bearing. None. A freezing unit, is a unit with problems...period. Could it also be that grime/dust has built up on the heat fins in the evaporator? Is opening up the ducts and cleaning these something reasonable to think about doing, or does build up usually signal the need for a new evaporator/heat exchanger? Is cleaning practical without specialized tools? in order.. Could be. No. no no. What about insufficient airflow through the ducts - would this increase condensation and lead to ice formation (which would further restrict airflow)? No, on the condensation...not a huge amount.. and yes to the ice.. If I increase the airflow (by opening all vents wide open), is the problem likely to go away? Nope. It should NOT be freezing.. Particularly if its not till now. Thanks. Bill Christens-Barry -- Wm A Christens-Barry, PhD Equipoise Imaging, LLC http://www.eqpi.net/eqpi/ |
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