Water on A/C filter?
#1
12-26-15, 11:55 AM
Water on A/C filter?
I replaced my A/C air filter & noticed some brown water stains on the old filter so I looked up into the coil & there is some water drops on the coil. I then removed the panel to look at the other side of the coil & some of the finns seem to be eroding so I'm guessing the water is not sliding down into the catch pan in those spots. Does this make sence & why would the finns be eroding? Thanks
Last edited by dommm56; 12-26-15 at 12:24 PM.
#3
12-27-15, 06:52 AM
My house was built in 2008. I tried to take a picture of the coil but there is not much room to get my hand & the camera in the space & the camera flash makes any picture useless so I put the camera in video mode & filmed a short video using a flashlight. It is not good quality but you might be able to see what I am seeing on my coil.
https://youtu.be/HtT2MTKp3PU
#4
12-27-15, 11:02 AM
Forum Topic Moderator
The coil looks bad but the video isn't clear enough to tell if it is corrosion, mold, or impact damage.
If the coil requires cleaning often because the homeowner doesn't change filters it can age the coil.
2008 isn't old.
If the coil requires cleaning often because the homeowner doesn't change filters it can age the coil.
2008 isn't old.
#5
12-27-15, 01:40 PM
For arguments sake, if it is corrosion & the corrosion continues, what would the implications be as far as house cooling or any other adverse effects? So far the house is getting cooled down to the set temperature.
#7
12-28-15, 06:49 AM
A few questions:
Can I assume that if & when more of these aluminum fins get eroded the AC unit will have a harder time (run longer) lowering the temperature & if it is corrosion what do you think would have caused it? I have owned the house from day one & have always changed the air filter. Thanks
Can I assume that if & when more of these aluminum fins get eroded the AC unit will have a harder time (run longer) lowering the temperature & if it is corrosion what do you think would have caused it? I have owned the house from day one & have always changed the air filter. Thanks
#8
12-28-15, 01:12 PM
Member
Chinese drywall will do that are any home that has strong VOC's. The wrong coil cleaner could do it as well. Yes less capacity from the unit.
#9
12-28-15, 02:22 PM
While I am in S Florida where Chinese drywall was an issue a few years back, I had my house checked & my house was cleared. I did clean my coils myself last winter because it looked like some mold was forming on the coils. I first bought some AC coil cleaner from my local Home Depot & after using it I then gave the coils a blast with some Clorox. You wouldn't think either one of those products would do any harm? Thanks
#10
12-28-15, 09:00 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
I would think Clorox would require a thorough rinsing afterward.
If the coil cleaner was red it would also require a heavy rinse.
If the coil cleaner was red it would also require a heavy rinse.
#11
12-29-15, 08:50 AM
Member
Yes both could easily pit a coil and at the worst burn the fins off. Coil cleaners depending on the kind will need to be rinsed off either with a hose are from condensate. The bleach will eat Aluminum quickly.
#12
12-29-15, 04:03 PM
I'm afraid that is what has happened in my case. I am a snowbird & just before heading North last spring I noticed what appeared to be mold on my coils so treated the coils to both a can of Home Depot coil cleaner & then a heavy dose of clorox. I did not do much rinsing & because before going North we set the AC to be on for only 2 hours a day just to keep the humidity down, the coils would not have been rinsed to much from condensation. When we returned in early Dec I noticed water stains on the AC air filter so I removed the panel to look at the coils & they look like they are eroding or something & I am assuming the condensation is dripping down onto the air filter from the spots where the fins have eroded.
Last edited by dommm56; 12-29-15 at 04:57 PM.
