All HVAC units with air conditioners will have condensate drains, which drains water created during the air conditioning process, into the home’s plumbing system. This is even the case on homes where the unit is located in the attic of the home. While it may seem that there is no maintenance involved in a condensate system, it is critical that this be regularly checked, especially on HVAC units located in the attic of a home.
On the ground floor of the home, the condensate line usually terminates into a floor drain connected to the homes plumbing system. There is a gap between the two, so the homeowner can see if water is flowing into the drain. On attic units, the unit itself, the condensate line is also terminated into the home’s plumbing system. In addition, there are two backup system in place as well to protect water created during the air conditioning process from leaking onto a ceiling and causing damage to the home. First the unit is placed in a sealed “tub” so that the “tub” catches the water if the primary drain fails for any reason. There is an independent drain in the tub that is usually terminated in the soffit of the home over a window. It is located there so that if the homeowner sees water dripping out of the soffit and will be aware that the primary drainage system is not working properly. Finally the “tub” has a “float” system installed, which will shut off the HVAC system if water rises within the “tub” because of a drainage issue.
It is critical that these systems be periodically checked to verify that they are working as designed. A qualified HVAC contractor that specializes in residential HVAC service and repair will check that as a part of their regular seasonal maintenance of your home. If you fail to see water draining into the floor drain, see water dripping out of the soffit or you attic unit stops working, call your HVAC contractor immediately!
