While ductless systems provide exceptionally efficient heating and cooling, they also bring risks when neglected. One risk is the mini-split leaking water. Consider these common causes that may make your ductless HVAC system in North Las Vegas, NV, leak water in your home:
Clogged Condensate Drain
Any HVAC system that runs on refrigerant has the potential to condense moisture out of the air. Ductless heat pumps have a special drain that controls where and how that condensate drains.
These drains will become clogged over time, causing the condensate to leak from the air handler. A service technician will clean the condensate drain during routine maintenance to keep it flowing well.
Insufficient Refrigerant Charge
Insufficient refrigerant in your system will cause the low-pressure coil to freeze. When it thaws, it may produce more condensate than it can effectively drain. Low refrigerant may also damage the compressor, so you should schedule a repairs if you suspect this issue.
Restricted Airflow
A heat pump depends on air moving through both the indoor and outdoor unit to absorb and vent heat. When air can’t flow through it properly, the refrigerant can become too cold at the low-pressure coil. This causes condensate to freeze, quickly compounding and then leaking when it thaws.
Corroded Drain Pan
Every air handler has a drip pan to catch the condensate and direct it to the condensate drain. These pans can corrode and develop holes, allowing the condensate to leak out before it gets to the drain.
Defrost Mode
A heat pump will reverse the flow of refrigerant when it detects frost while in heating mode. This will force hot refrigerant into the outside coil, melting the frost and ice that’s formed. If you look carefully, you may notice water leaking from the outside unit while the defrost mode is running.
Many of the problems that cause a ductless system to leak are often resolved or detected during routine maintenance. Call to schedule your HVAC maintenance with the trusted service technicians at Mr. Cool Heating & Air Conditioning.
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