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• Air Conditioning Condensate Drip Trays, Defects, Repairs
• Air Conditioning Condensate Handling Defects
• A/C condensate piping, leaks, hazards

This chapter of "How to Inspect the Central Air Conditioning or Cooling System" discusses the inspection of air conditioning condensate systems, including Air Conditioning Condensate Drip Trays, Defects, Repairs as part of our review of cooling system condensate piping, traps, drains, condensate pumps, and the detection and hazards of air conditioning system condensate leaks in buildings.

Condensate leak health and safety concerns are reviewed. Contact us to suggest text changes and additions and, if you wish, to receive online listing and credit for that contribution. © Copyright 2008 Daniel Friedman, All Rights Reserved. Information Accuracy & Bias Pledge is at below-left. Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

DRIP TRAY DEFECTS - Air Conditioning Condensate Drip Tray or Condensate Overflow Pan Defects

Missing air conditioner condensate overflow pans

A missing air conditioning system condensate drip tray risks leaks into the attic ceiling, where air conditioner condensate can damage the building or cause a (hidden) mold problem, especially if condensate is leaking onto the upper, hidden (by insulation) attic side of drywall forming a ceiling of a room located below the equipment. Both the drywall and the insulation itself may become mold reservoirs. When an air conditioning unit is located in an attic where damage may result from air conditioning system condensate overflow from the primary condensate collection and drain equipment, an additional water-tight corrosion-resistant pan (an air conditioner condensate drip tray or "drip pan") should be installed below the air conditioning equipment to catch overflowing AC condensate should the primary AC condensate drain become clogged. An alternative design provides one air conditioner drip pan with a standing overflow and a secondary air conditioner condensate drain. (Also, a basement air conditioning system condensate pump can overflow and spill into the living area if the condensate pump fails or if the condensate pump drain line becomes kinked or clogged.)

Improperly connected or joined air conditioner condensate drain lines and overflow pan drains

Air conditioning drip pan drains: The air conditioner's condensate overflow pan or tray requires its own separate drain. In the left photo above, the overflow pan has its own drain line, but it joins with the main air conditioner condensate drain line almost immediately. A blockage in the condensate drain is going to lead leaks out of the air handler into the overflow pan. but since the overflow pan itself shares the same drain the pan will overflow into the building ceiling, inviting a mold problem or other damage. But this is the most common way we see these drains installed. Most likely the installer is considering that the main risk of a blockage in the condensate drain system is going to be inside the air handler unit itself. We're not sure what data supports this view. The float switch approach, discussed next, might be a safer approach.

Use of float switches on air conditioning condensate overflow pans

Evidence of Leaks into an A/C Condensate Overflow Pan May Indicate Trouble

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS Chapter Index

To continue reading this air conditioning inspection guide, use links to the document chapters at left or below. Links shown in green font indicate where you are in this document.

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS
A/C COMPONENTS
CONTROLS & SWITCHES
A/C DATA TAGS
A/C DIAGNOSTIC FAQs
A/C REFRIGERANTS
A/C REFRIGERANT LEAK DETECTION
A/C TYPES, ENERGY SOURCES
RATED COOLING CAPACITY
AIR CONDITIONER BTU CHART
AIR FILTERS for HVAC SYSTEMS
AIR HANDLER UNIT
CLEANING & Legionella BACTERIA
COMPRESSOR CONDENSER
CONDENSATE HANDLING
  DRIP TRAY DEFECTS
  CONDENSATE LEAKS
  CONDENSATE PUMPS
  CONDENSATE DRAINS
CONTROLS & SWITCHES
COOL OFF HEAT Thermostat Switch
DUCT SYSTEMS
DUCTS - Asbestos
DUCT SYSTEM DEFECTS
DUCT INSULATION, Asbestos Paper
DUCTS, Asbestos Transite Pipe
DUST FROM HVAC?
FAN AUTO ON Thermostat Switch
INSPECTION LIMITATIONS
LOST COOLING CAPACITY
OPERATING TEMPERATURES
OPERATING DEFECTS
OPERATING COST
SEER RATINGS
SYSTEM OPERATION
THERMOSTATS
CRITICAL DEFECTS
Air Conditioning "How To" Books

Technical Reviewers

• Thanks to Mark Cramer, Tampa Florida, for assistance in technical review of the "Critical Defects" section and for the photograph of the deteriorating gray Owens Corning flex duct in a hot attic. Mr. Cramer is a Florida home inspector and home inspection educator.
• Thanks to Mike Giaquinto and Scott at SJM Inspect for technical editing remarks, 5/16/07
• Thanks to Jon Bolton, an ASHI, FABI, and otherwise certified Florida home inspector who provided photos of failing Goodman gray flex duct in a hot attic.
• Thanks to Lester Richer, a professional home inspector, for the reminder that a bad air conditioner condensate drip tray switch can shut the whole system down.
• Thanks to Alan Carson, Carson Dunlop, Associates, Toronto, for technical critique and for providing a copy of Carson Dunlop Weldon & Associates Technical Reference Guide to manufacturer's model and serial number information for heating and cooling equipment ($69.00 U.S.).

Use links at the left of each page to navigate this document or to view other topics at this website. Green links show where you are in our document or website.

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