(Today's mechanical code requires an auto safety switch to be installed on all new equipment to protect against water damage)This is a sign that something is either leaking or dripping not draining. Although it needs prompt attention, sometimes it is only a very minor problem. In the cooling mode, the indoor evaporator coil and the suction line sweats. That's why it is wrapped in black insulation. If the insulation is missing or has been torn or split, it can cause dripping. Obviously this is easy to repair. The evaporator produces a lot of water during the summer as it removes excess humidity from the air. The water runs down the outside of the coil into a pan that has a drain. The drain goes outside the house into a gutter or directly to the ground. If the coil is dirty, the water mixes with the dirt; the dirty water ends up in the pan, the drain trap or anywhere else it can cause a problem. As the water flows by gravity, it doesn't take much dirt to clog a drain and if your coil is located in the attic or finished room, serious damage can result.

This is a very important reason for having clean filters and an annual inspection that includes coil cleaning. Sometimes the indoor coil actual ices up. When the ice melts, excessive water all over the floor or ceiling is the result.cost of running window air conditioning unit Indoor water problems are not just limited to summer. repair ac window unitSome of today's high efficiency furnaces also produce condensation, which must be drained. wall ac and heating unitA central humidifier also can cause leaks. All of these things emphasize the necessity for annual inspections plus you should always keep your eyes open for water, as it is a sure sign that something is amiss. Sometimes it is a simple fix; Below is a list of possible causes and things to check.

Items in blue can be addressed or fixed by the homeowner. Those in red usually require a service call. Suction line missing insulation Drain line moved or not pitched downward Blocked pan, trap or drain Indoor coil frozen due to malfunction Dirty or defective evaporative coil Broken fittings or pipe; Kinked tubing Humidifier over filling or leaking Excerpts of the preceding information have been compiled by Hannabery HVAC, which has graciously permitted us to include them on this web site as a service for all homeowners.My 1.5ton,230volt split ac was runing fine for past 2 years .but from yesterday it started problem. the compressor remains on for about 5 minutes whatever the temperature setting is and then turns off and remain off for about 30 minutes . i have checked all settings of remote control but no problem seems.timers are off . i also checked the outdoor unit compressor capacitor (45uF),it is also ok . also some water droplets are falling from indoor unit .

help needed for this compressor on/off time of 5/30 mints. Advancements in components for batteries, diodes and LED's, and innovations in consumer and commercial products.Two-stage systems tend to run more quietly than traditional cooling units. The right cooling system helps your home stay cool and comfortable, while the wrong system not only leaves you sweating, but also eats up energy and wastes money. Two-stage air conditioners promise greater energy efficiency and performance compared with traditional single-stage systems, resulting in increased comfort and lower energy bills. While many of the most efficient air conditioners on the market rely on two-stage or variable speed technology, the potential problems associated with two-stage systems could mean they may not be the best choice for every homeowner. Single vs. Two-Stage Overview A single-stage air conditioner has a single compressor speed. The unit is either switched on and running or switched off completely, with nothing in between.

Two-stage systems feature two compressor speeds, with one often set at 60 to 70 percent of the maximum. Roughly 80 percent of the time, the system runs at the lower speed, but on the hottest days, it switches to a higher speed to beat the heat. Since they are usually running at a lower speed, they tend to run for long periods, minimizing the starts and stops that burn up energy. This added cost can make two-stage systems tough to justify in smaller homes or milder climates, where single-stage systems may cool the home just as effectively. Complex Repairs The average residential air conditioner in the U.S. relies on just a single compressor speed. Two-stage air conditioners represent a newer, more complex technology with a larger number of components. This means these systems can be more difficult to repair and maintain, and it may be harder to find a trained technician equipped to deal with this more advanced technology. Real-World Performance The efficiency rating of an air conditioning system is often listed using the seasonal energy efficiency ratio, with higher values associated with more efficient systems.

In general, two-stage systems offer higher SEER values than single-stage units. A 2006 study published by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy found that the higher SEER values on two-stage systems are often unrealized under real-world operating conditions. While the study states that single-stage units tended to perform very close to their advertised SEER, two-stage units tested in the study operated at just 59 to 84 percent of advertised SEER. This discrepancy tended to be the greatest in leaky homes, those with oversize cooling systems, and homes where the fan is allowed to run constantly, even when the air conditioner is not running. : Single Stage Vs. Two Stage Air ConditionerModern and Anderson Services: Two-Stage vs. Single-Stage AC Photo Credits Jupiterimages/Stockbyte/Getty Images Suggest a CorrectionCompressor Overheating Troubleshooting | Air Conditioner RepairWhat you will learn from Compressor Overheating Troubleshooting article: 1) Avoiding the problem of compressor overheating

2) how does compressor overheating effect the refrigeration system? 3) diagnosing compressor overheating 4) repairing the problem of compressor overheating and future prevention 5) lots of related links to help you learn Compressor Overheating Troubleshooting | Air Conditioner Repair – There are some problems with air conditioner or heat pump compressors that can be avoided with proper maintenance. Other problems result in a mechanical or electrical problem with the systems that need to be resolved. Compressor overheating is an issue that can cause serious problems with your air conditioner or heat pump system. A compressor that overheats can still operate and provide cooling or heating but if the temperature inside the compressor rises too high then the oil in the compressor can break down and reduce the lubrication and cooling effect the oil has inside the compressor for proper and necessary lubrication. This leads to possible mechanical failure and other problems that will occur to the compressor and in the refrigeration system that results from compressor overheating.

When the oil becomes overheated it changes chemically. Through a lack of lubricating and cooling it becomes like an acid when the oil overheats. This eats away at the windings and will cause compressor failure.pressor Overheating Troubleshooting | Air Conditioner RepairThe check for excessively high temperatures is to take a discharge temperature on the discharge line at least 6 inches from where it leaves the compressor. Temperatures over 300° Fahrenheit inside the discharge port of the compressor means there is a serious problem that needs to be addressed.Related Link: Air Conditioner Compressor Troubleshooting - Diagnosis and Repair (opens in a new window) What are the causes of compressor overheating and how to fix it:High Head Pressure - This can be caused by dirty condenser coils, a bad condenser fan motor, a recirculation of air back into the coils, improper rotation of the condenser fan, non-condensibles (air, nitrogen or other gas), and an overcharge of the refrigeration system.

Another thing found that can cause this is any extra heat source near the condenser such as a drier vent which can introduce extra heat into the system.I have a customer who called me for a bid to install a new system. The customer received 3 different bids from 3 different contractors. My competition got the contract and installed the new split system air conditioner. The next summer I got a call from that same customer asking me to check out their air conditioner. It seems my competitor had installed the condenser under a deck and near many bushes. The condenser could not breathe and the air and heat was simply recirculated back into the unit. Once the recirculated heat rises about outdoor ambient temperature you lose effective cooling because the condenser was no longer rejecting the latent heat picked up in the evaporator, suction line, and the heat from compression. I moved the unit to a better location and the customer called me later and told me the difference was like night and day.

It wasn’t difficult to figure out this problem for anyone and who knows why the competition chose that location but I used the experience to teach a few junior technicians about heat rejection and compressor overheating. I had them take temperatures and pressures and let them come to the conclusion of the main problem. Once the line was cut to move the unit I also had them test the oil to make sure it was acid-free. After all, when everything was said and done I did not want to have any warranty issues replacing a compressor because I did not do my homework.Improper Voltage - This can be a power company issue that needs to be corrected by the power company especially high voltage but low-voltage can be a problem in the circuits providing power to the compressor. Lose connections and corroded wires or terminal connections can cause low voltage and high amperage problems that result in compressor overheating. This can also be the result of a power company transformer issue along with the high voltage problem.

High Superheat - this can result from a low refrigerant charge, a restriction in the refrigerant piping or a faulty metering device. It can also result in a liquid line too close to a heat source such as hot water piping loops. In that case the liquid line needs to be insulated from the hot water piping or relocated.Short Cycling of Compressor - this can be caused by a low charge or faulty metering device. Air flow across the evaporator coil can also result in this issue and can be from a dirty or clogged air filter or frozen evaporator coil. A bad capacitor can also cause the problem.Other Possible Causes - A failure of the internal overloads inside the compressor or bad compressor valves can cause issues with overheating. These problems can be difficult to resolve in hermetic compressors without replacing the compressor. pressor Overheating Troubleshooting Additional TestingBoth hermetic and semi-hermetic compressors are difficult to troubleshoot sometimes and many times the problem is external to the compressor or a result of poor installation skills by the installation technician if the compressor was recently replaced or it is a split system where the system was evacuated by an HVAC technician.