Condensation On Air Conditioning Vents

Air leaking around the vent.

Condensation on air conditioning vents.

It happens because the warm humid air outside the ducts leaks inside where it comes into contact with the cold duct walls. And the sooner the better. In case you have metal ducts make. If air is able to escape around the ac vents rather than flow through the grates as it should it can cause condensation to build up and drip from the ac vents.

As the humidity level rises outdoors condensation will gradually begin to form on the surface of your air conditioning ducts. Here are some tricks to stop condensation on air ducts. This colder surface then chills the surrounding air to a temperature below it s dew point which causes the water vapor to condense into a liquid just like on the outside of a glass of iced teas sitting outside on a hot day. The condensation forms when air of a different temperature meets the grill box and duct connecting the vent to the air conditioning unit.

The colder the air is inside the duct the greater the chance of ductwork sweating. It s obviously cold inside the ducts because your air conditioner blows cold air through them and into your space. Water vapor that drops out will come in contact with cold surface. You can go for a dehumidifier if that helps to reduce.

Luckily this issue can be treated and corrected. Condensation forms when warm humid air comes into contact with a colder surface like your air conditioner s ductwork. Since there is lots of humidity near the air conditioner vent the chance of condensation forming is likely to happen. Try to reduce the humidity level in the air near the air ducts.

The easiest thing you can do to fix water leaking from your ac vent is to reach up and feel for any air escaping from around the sides of the air vent. That is when the air conditioner vents sweatingand condensation will form. Instead of metal choose fiberglass or other insulating materials for your ductwork. If you have hvac ducts made of sheet metal with no insulation or ducts with damaged insulation you re much more likely to develop condensation inside the ducts and also condensation on the ac vents.

If your air filters are dirty the dust and debris block the air flow. Look for air escaping from anywhere besides the grates. It s a natural process and similar to the way a chilled soda begins to sweat once you take it out of the refrigerator on a hot day. The condensation drips into a drip pan which is then drained out of your home through the condensate lines.

Instead of dripping condensation drops into the drip pan the water will freeze over the ac s evaporator coils forming a thin layer of ice. Condensation can then drip down and cause moisture on ceilings and walls.