
It's quite common for condensation to occur in an air conditioner that has been running for several hours, especially in cooler climates. The water is often trapped inside the evaporator coil, which is designed to cool the air passing through it.
If your unit isn't vented correctly, water can build up between the fins of the evaporator coil and drip down onto your compressor. This damages your compressor over time and eventually could cause you to need a new one.
This is where a return condensate pump can be of help. This type of pump helps remove the condensate or water out of the system to improve efficiency and prevent adverse effects like corrosion.
What is a condensate pump?
A condensate pump is used in HVAC systems to help remove condensation from the air before damaging the unit. Over time, water can build up inside air conditioning units, dripping down onto the compressor, which damages the compressor over time.
A return condensate pump can prevent this type of damage from occurring by moving water away from the compressor.
How does a return condensate pump work?
The basic process by which a condensate pump works is similar to the way a sump pump works. The water is pumped out through a discharge line to a drain or sewer. A condensate pump maintains the correct condensation level in an air conditioning system by monitoring the condensation in the cooling coils and then pumping out any additional water that forms.
Models available range in price and function, but they generally work by sucking out the wet air and condensation from the drainage pipe.
The water is then pumped outside the house through a separate drain line for disposal. The pump's location depends on the type of pipe it's attached to, such as plastic or PVC.
When to use a return condensate pump?
Your AC is running, but you aren't producing any cool air: Your AC is working too hard to remove humidity from inside your home or business, which means there is likely a problem with airflow from your unit. A clogged coil or a dirty filter will restrict airflow.
When using a condensate pump, make sure you place it close to your tank or reservoir but not too close to it. If you put it too close, it may cause water drainage into your system again, which does not help.
It is important that you have your condensate pump placed correctly so that there are no issues with drainage. The best way to do this is by keeping an eye on your system and doing regular inspection checks so that you can see where your problem areas are coming from.
The more often you check your system, the easier it will be for you to spot any issues before they become serious problems.
Conclusion
When you look at the whole picture, it's clear that you really need a condensate pump to solve this problem. It is an efficient and cost-saving device that will help you avoid the problems associated with excess water.
Once you know what type of condensate pump to use, you can find the right pump for your needs and budget.