When people are accustomed to traditional central AC units, they may find their ductless system a little confusing at first. It’s important to pay attention to how your system is working, so that any problems it has can be caught early and remedied before bigger issues develop. But how can you tell if it’s working properly when you’re not clear on what you should expect from it?
In many ways, a ductless mini split is just like any other AC or heat pump system. If the outdoor unit bangs, if the system starts and stops too often, if you have very little air or lukewarm air blowing from vents, or you notice that your electric bill is climbing, you need repair. The biggest difference between ducted and ductless systems has to do with drainage. Here’s what you need to know about drainage problems.
The Term “Mini Split”
The outdoor units of ducted and ductless systems are the same. It’s indoors where things are different. That’s because there are multiple air handlers in separate zones of the home when the system is ductless, rather than one single indoor unit for a central system. The reason it’s called a “mini split” is because the refrigerant lines that come from the outdoor unit split when they reach the home.
Each refrigerant line goes directly to a single air handler. In each unit, the refrigerant coils absorb heat from the air as it is blown out into the room. This is very efficient compared to creating cold air in one place and having to move it all around the home. However, having evaporator coils in each unit also means that condensation will develop in each unit.
Ductless Drainage Lines
Each air handler has three separate lines running together to it, in a single conduit. One is the refrigerant we already mentioned. One is a power line to supply the unit with electricity. The third is a drainage line, a thin tube that can carry moisture safely away from the unit and out of your home. Why is this necessary?
The refrigerant that runs through the coils is very, very cold. That’s how it can so easily soak up heat from the air around it. And the air in your home is warm—that’s why you’re running the AC—and it contains moisture. Just like a cold glass of iced tea, the refrigerant coils will cause moisture from the air around it to condense into water droplets.
The droplets are collected in a condensate pan in each air handler, and then the water flows into the drainage line. This is a great system and usually keeps everything safely dry in and around the unit. But having several drainage lines means there are several places where something can go wrong, and if you have a drainage problem, it can lead to water damage and more.
Signs of a Drainage Problem
Keep an eye (and a nose) out for these clues that there’s something not quite right in your system’s drainage because prompt repair for ductless systems in Navarre, FL will make all the difference.
- Humidity: If you’ve got unusual levels of moisture in the air, it could be due to moisture buildup in an air handler.
- Mold: If you can see mold in or around an air handler or you smell that telltale mildew odor, chances are, there’s backed-up moisture in your system.
- Water Staining: This can happen surprisingly slowly. Was that patch of wall always slightly darker? Is the spot getting bigger? If you have any doubts, get it checked out. We’re always happy to help!
For professional ductless system repair, look no further than Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. Contact us today!