The mold factory in your home or business
2009-02-01

Summer and its associated energy costs are fast approaching and it’s time to consider the efficiency of your HVAC system. An air conditioner removes water from the air. Water damage can be very common in any building or unit that uses central air conditioning. There are a variety of ways water damage can be caused, but proper maintenance can prevent many potentially costly repairs. Here are the most important items to consider with your HVAC systems:

• If your unit does not have a “p” trap install one. Most manufactures ask for at least a three inch “p” trap tray. An air conditioning unit without a “p” trap can cause water damage.

• Make sure the condensate drain pipe has a proper pitch. If there is not enough pitch on your condensate drain lines, dirt collects in the pipe and can plug the condensate drain lines.

• Replace the air filter regularly. This can be done by your renter, maintenance personal, or a licensed HVAC contractor. A clean air filter will help keep your evaporator coil and drain pan clean and more efficient. Inexpensive air filters collect about 10% of the debris in the air while a more efficient air filter collects about 30% of air debris. A dirty or too restrictive air filter can cause a variety of problems. The evaporator coil can ice up and cause water damage. When air filters are dirty, the evaporator fan motor stops working.

• Maintenance is critical to keeping your HVAC system working properly and extending the life of your system. The three most important items you can do to prevent water damage are:

• Vacuum out the drain pan yearly: November to March.

• Wash out condensate drain lines yearly. Clean out the condensate drain pipe when you vacuum the drain pan.

• Make sure your condensate drain line is pitched correctly.