Living in Florida, it’s easy to attribute the excess moisture we find in our homes to high humidity levels. However, while humidity can play a part in making your air filter damp, the problem is generally more extensive than that. A wet air filter is no cause for alarm, but it is an issue that should be dealt with as soon as possible. Here’s more about why your air filter might be wet and what you should do about it.
What Causes an AC Air Filter to Get Wet
If you find your air filter is wet, it’s almost always a result of the excess moisture building up in the evaporator coil and finding its way to your filter. There are two primary reasons why this may happen:
1. Drain line clogs. To absorb heat in your home, your AC passes a warm gas over your system’s evaporator coil. Because the evaporator coil is cool, condensation forms on its surface, just as it does on your mirror after you take a hot shower. Typically, this condensation is collected in a drain pan and exits your home through a pipe. However, if your drain line becomes clogged with debris, condensation may end up leaking into other parts of your AC, including your air filter. If you suspect a clog, call an AC professional to take care of the problem.
2. Poor installation. A drain clog isn’t the only reason condensation from your system’s evaporator coil may end up reaching your air filter. If everything is functioning properly within your AC, the issue may be a poor installation job. When your AC is not installed properly, it can lead to all sorts of problems down the line, and a wet air filter is one of them. An air conditioning professional will be able to help you come up with a creative solution to making your AC run more efficiently.
How a Wet AC Air Filter Can Damage Inside Your Air Conditioner
When a wet air filter is the result of a drain clog, it can lead to extensive damage in your home, so make sure to get the blockage cleared as soon as possible. Even if a clog isn’t the cause, a wet air filter should be taken care of for these reasons:
1. It can block airflow. When your air filter is wet, air will not be able to flow through it as freely. This means your AC will have to work harder to do its job, which could lead to damage and increased energy bills.
2. It can reduce your indoor air quality. Excess moisture inside your AC gives way to mold, bacteria and other potentially harmful microorganisms. If a wet air filter is allowed to sit for too long, it could become a breeding ground for germs, putting your family’s health at risk.
Contact Colman Heating & Air for AC Maintenance & Repair Service
The best way to avoid a wet filter is by getting regular preventative maintenance for your AC. When a Colman Air technician comes to your home to perform maintenance on your system, they’ll ensure that your entire system is working efficiently by check your drain lines for clogs and much more. To keep your AC running at peak performance, become a Colman Air Planned Maintenance customer today!
