A ductless mini-split is a spectacular way to get around issues like not having ductwork or having old or damaged ductwork. It’s also an extremely efficient system because even the best ductwork does allow some energy to be lost while heated or cooled air is moving through. That said, even a fantastic system like a mini-split does have the potential to experience problems.
One issue you might encounter with your ductless mini-split has to do with moisture. All air conditioners accumulate condensation, so this is inevitable. With your mini split, there are slightly different risks to do with that condensation. If you suspect your mini split has a moisture problem, here’s what to keep an eye out for, and how to remedy the problem.
Mini Split Condensate Concerns
In a traditional central air conditioner, all the condensation accumulates in the same spot. There’s one indoor unit with one set of evaporator coils. Moisture is drawn from the air against the cold surface of these coils, just like the moisture on a cold soda can on a hot, humid day. In the central AC unit, this moisture drips into the condensate pan and out a drain to be released away from your home.
The reason the word “split” is used in describing ductless systems is that when the refrigerant lines from the outdoor unit reach the house, they split apart, heading in separate directions. Each air handler mounted on a wall in your home is served by its own refrigerant line. That means each air handler has its own evaporator coils. Instead of all the moisture accumulating in one place, there’s moisture in every air handler.
Signs of a Mini Split Moisture Problem
Indicators that you’ve got lingering moisture in a mini split air handler include dripping, slow water staining on the wall, excessively moist air or high humidity, or mold growing in or around the air handler. Left unrepaired, this can get so bad that the air handler can literally peel away from the wall and fall to the floor! Before that happens, you need mini split service in Navarre, FL.
Mini Split Moisture Repairs
The most likely scenario here is that something has gone wrong with your condensate pan’s ability to drain. It may be as simple as a clump of dust or cat hair blocking the drainage line. But whatever started the clog, still water is an ideal environment for more things such as mold, algae, or bacteria to grow, worsening the clog. The system needs to be disassembled and meticulously cleaned.
What if It’s Not Water?
Occasionally, people suspect that there’s a moisture problem with a mini split, but it’s not actually water that’s leaking out. Some of the signs of a refrigerant leak can be quite similar, especially the sound of dripping. A refrigerant leak, though, will have a sweet, chemical smell. It can make sounds like bubbling or hissing. It can lead to ice building up on the coils. And it will decrease your AC system’s functionality.
Whether your drips are water or refrigerant, repairs are easier and simpler the sooner you have them done, so don’t hesitate to get the help you need.
For professional ductless services, look no further than Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. Contact us today!