my central air conditioner started leaking water from a plastic hose outside the house. whats up with that?

Answer 1

It is working properly. Warm air holds more moisture than cold. When warm air is cooled, water condenses on the condenser. The hose drains the water away.

Answer 2

My central air unit leaks when the temperature outside the house is close to the temperature inside the house. Typically at around 72 degrees, which is what we keep the house temperature at. I'm not sure if the unit leaks outside, it probably does, but it definitely leaks inside the house from the 2 hoses which go into the basement floor (to a sump I guess).

This is an old house, but I've only lived here for a few months, so I don't know all the Idiosyncrasies of the AC unit. It did freeze over once and stopped generating cool air. I would really appreciate your insight on this as it differs slightly than the original question.

Answer 3

In many installations this is the emergency overflow. It drains the emergency pan that is below the airhandler where the cooling coil is.

Normally the moisture that is condensed is drain through the primary drain to a sump, the sewer system or other safe place. If this line gets plugged, the condensate overflows to the emergency pan and then to the outside of the house.

You need to check the drains and emergency pan. Many times the primary drain can get plugged with dirt, algae or slime. It may need to be cleaned out with a wire, some bleach or maybe a little compressed air (at very very low pressure). I usually start with the bleach.

For those who are interested: An AC unit's first task is to cool the air entering the cooling coils. Dehumidification is a secondary result. Its controls operate on temperature an not on humidity. You use a dehumidifier if your primary task is to dehumidify.

I agree with Mrcoolit. He should have more knowledge before he spouts off.

Answer 4

Wow!!! Some of the answers. I know you get points for answering but please try to answer questions you know something about. Okay, now back to the question. . . This is normal in most cases (If your drain is ran to the outside and not to the sewer), however, if your air handler is in the attic this could be a warning to you that the drain pan is overflowing into a secondary overflow pan. This means check the situation out and fix it NOW! You need to prevent water damage to the ceiling. When in doubt,call a professional.

Answer 5

It is most interesting the answers that one might see on yahoo. I think there should be some level of knowledge of a topic before you would be allowed to answer, rather than talking out your a#$. If it were the real world you would be liable for you answer.

As the warm air passes over the indoor coil of your air conditioner, the air becomes cooler and as it does it will give up moisture. This is collected in a catch basin and passed out to a drain.

The first job of a a/c system is to lower the humidity. Lowering the temperature is second on the list.

It is as simple as the mid day, hot air, cooling in the evening and producing rain clouds.

Answer 6

All needed air con instruments produce water as they cool the better half and teenagers air. subsequently the all have drains that are frequently piped into the better half and teenagers drain gadget. yet, because of the fact the quantity water is small and the bypass cost vitually purely a trickle, the drain lines will automatically plug with micro organism. sometime you could blow them sparkling, yet i've got had to call a plumber to snake mine earlier. The water which you notice dripping out of your air con unit is a secondary, or backup drain to maintain the water pan from overflowing. the opening for it fairly is frequently someplace the place you will see it top away to provide help to realize which you have a clogged important drain line. you will possibly desire to get the main line sparkling earlier the backup drain plugs besides.

Answer 7

The water you see coming out of that hose is just that. The coils will have a thin layer of ice build up on them when the unit runs a long time and runs harder because of hotter weather. The unit will shut off and the icy layer will melt and run out the drain that is attatched to the tray that the coils sit in. It is made this way to keep the moisture from getting in the electrical parts of the unit. One thing to check is the air filter on the unit. It probably needs changing or cleaning if it is one that can be cleaned.

Answer 8

OMG at the answers again on this topic, You a/c has 2 drain lines. The main is stopped up, The water coming out the side of your house is an EMERGENCY drain. This second line stops the pan from overflowing and running into the house. Clean main line out. Yahoo messenger if u need more info

Answer 9

have you just noticed that? The water that your a/c gets out of the air got to go some were.

Answer 10

Thats good..The water is the humidity from inside your house.