I had a company install an A/C evaporator unit on my existing heating system. A plugged drain caused the plastic pan inside the evaporator to overflow with water, which then ran out through the metal housing into the safety catch pan underneath. But the insulation inside the evaporator underneath the catch tray is soaking wet now. There is no drain hole in the bottom panel, so water trapped with the insulation can only leave via evaporation. I am worried that the insulation will become moldy before it dries out, causing health issues. Currently there is no smell or any other problems. In order to inspect/replace the insulation, the entire evaporator unit needs to be removed, which would take a considerable amount of time and effort. Does the insulation need to be replaced or will it evaporate dry before it becomes moldy? I would appreciate any help. Insulation can get wet as almost anything can. If you can take the insulation out and dry it properly it will be fine - fan and moderate heat.

Insulation itself does not harbor mold quickly. It is associated with mold because insulation (fiberglass/rock wool) holds water and makes things around it moldy. As long as you get the insulation thoroughly dry within a few days it does not need to be replaced. I was eventually able to convince the contractor that the unit needed to be replaced. After they removed it, I inspected the insulation in the old unit and it was still saturated, as I suspected, but no mold yet. The water had nowhere to go, and could never evaporate away. They then replaced the evaporator another (twice!) because it was leaking water out the bottom, eventually they realized they were never installing the catch pan correctly. But now the unit is working, almost 2 years later. What a disaster ... never using this company ever again, but I learned a lot about A/C units along the way.Browse other questions tagged insulation air-conditioning or ask your own question.Celebrate Air Conditioning Appreciation Week with this gallery  from Magnum Photos.

Ever wonder about the water that drips down from air conditioners as an unwelcome sidewalk surprise when you’re walking to work? In 2011, Forrest Wickman looked into the reason why ACs are so leaky, and if there’s anything unsanitary about the water that’s dripping down on you. The original article is reprinted below. Walk down any city sidewalk on a hot summer day, and you're bound to get wet—and not just when it's raining. york central air conditioning troubleshootingWater drips from window AC units, especially on muggy days, and this unpleasant drizzle can fall into your hair or even onto the lip of your morning coffee cup. ac unit and coilIs all that dripping water sanitary?ac unit dye Yes, as a general rule. Most of the dripping from air conditioners is just condensed water vapor that comes from the air inside the building.

Window air conditioners are designed to drain this water from the back, raining it down on any unsuspecting pedestrians below. In most ways this water is exactly like rain (which also forms from condensed water vapor) or the moisture that collects on a cool can of soda, and it's typically no more harmful. However, in rare cases small amounts of water can be left to stagnate inside the air conditioner, making it a breeding ground for bacteria. On a hot and humid day, a window unit can drip up to 2 gallons of water, which accumulates on its evaporator coil as it cools and dehumidifies the air. (Very little condensation gathers on the exterior side of an AC, which tends to be warmer than the air around it.) This coil, like many plumbing pipes used for drinking water, is made of copper (which is also what makes air conditioners so heavy), and it's much cleaner than you might expect from looking at a dusty AC filter. While copper can be unhealthy in high doses, the condensate from air conditioners seems to be low in minerals and dissolved solids.

In a properly functioning air conditioner, the water drips down from the coil into a condensate pan and then exits the unit through a drain or tube. However, a clog in this drain or tube can leave a puddle to accumulate inside, which is an ideal environment for many types of harmful bacteria. In particular, a 1976 outbreak of Legionnaires' disease was caused by bacteria that spread out of the air conditioning system at Philadelphia's Bellevue-Stratford Hotel. (That's how the disease got its name: Many of the victims were attending an American Legion convention.) While Legionella is known to thrive in the cooling towers of large air conditioning systems like the one at that Philadelphia hotel, it does not seem to grow in smaller units. Furthermore, dripping water isn't really stagnant, so it's extremely unlikely that the water raining down on pedestrians would be infected. The water that drips from air conditioners is probably even safe for drinking. (It's certainly more potable than the drinking water in many countries.)

Still, for the reasons mentioned above, it's best not to tilt your head back for a draft. If you're looking for a better use for your air conditioner's condensate, the Explainer recommends using it to water your plants. Got a question about today's news? Explainer thanks Douglas T. Reindl of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and Mark Sobsey of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.To be honest, I have a love-hate relationship with our central air conditioning unit. That is to say, I love the central air conditioner when it's hot outside and fills the house with refreshing, cool air, but hate it when it's hot outside and quits working. Simple ways to keep your central air conitioner running efficientlyAs a homeowner for more than twenty years I have had a few repairs done on the central air conditioner that we rely on so heavily during the summer months. This much I know without a doubt, it's far cheaper to maintain this appliance on a regular basis than it is to repair or replace it.

In fact, Carrier, a leading manufacturer of air conditioners, states: Proper air conditioning maintenance can help your unit last decades. On the flip-side, a neglected air conditioner loses roughly 5% of its efficiency each year that it operates without upkeep. Fortunately, there are some very simple things that any homeowner can do to keep their A/C unit running efficiently and perhaps even less often throughout the warm months. A/C unit needs room for airflow 1. Keeps plants cut back around unitLet's face it, outdoor air conditioning condensers are ugly and it seems that homeowners will do their best to hide them from sight. Plants, fences and trellises tend to be popular ways to go about doing this cover-up. Yet, air conditioners need an adequate amount of air flow around all sides in order to perform at peak efficiency. This is why experts recommend that landscaping and other objects be placed about three feet away from the unit itself. Cleaning up leaves and other debris on a regular basis, as well as trimming or cutting back bushes, trees and other plants all help increase the air that your unit needs to draw into its system.

2. Wash pollen and other debris off condenser unitIf your outdoor air condenser unit is in an unnoticeable location, it's very easy to forget about cleaning it regularly. But you don't want to neglect this very easy chore. The condenser pulls in air, and when it does, pollen and other debris often cling to its exterior. This will restrict airflow and cause a decrease in cooling efficiency and perhaps even cause the unit to overheat. Pull out your garden hose and with a hard stream of water, working top to bottom, hose off each side of the condenser. Closed registers can freeze A/C coils 3. Do not close any registers completelyWith a two-story house the upper level is often warmer than the lower level even with the central air running. This is the case with our home, and knowing that hot air rises and cool air falls I figured I could easily balance the air temperature by adjusting the register (air vent) openings. It is true that closing some registers on the cooler lower level forces more air out of the registers upstairs.

The cooler air then works its way downstairs and the air temperature becomes more even throughout the house. However, by doing this the air conditioning unit may completely shut off! In fact, when I totally closed some lower level registers, the coils in the unit froze and the A/C quit functioning. Luckily, by shutting off the entire cooling system and giving the coils time to thaw, the A/C was up and running again within a few hours. Do not completely close registers. To balance the air temperature, registers can be slightly closed, but do not close them completely. (It took me two times to learn this lesson.) Additionally, make sure supply vents are not blocked. 4. Change the filter regularlyMaintaining a central air conditioning unit is all about maintaining airflow. That is why it is important to regularly change the air filter on the system. Filter packages usually state a recommended schedule for replacement (i.e. every 90 days or so) but it really depends more on how much the unit is running and how dirty the air is.

During hot months it may be beneficial to change the air filter more frequently. The process is often as simple as sliding the old filter out and sliding in the new one. According to Trane air conditioner manufacturers, ...regular cleaning/changing of your filter will ensure the best filtration, increase the life of your machine, and give you peace of mind that you’re breathing easier. 5. Set temperatures in a programmable thermostatIt stands to reason that the less the air conditioner is actually in use, the less wear and tear it endures. For anyone with a programmable thermostat, setting the temperature by day and time is a good way to reduce the unit's overall usage. For example, we set our temperature higher during the daytime and colder during the hours when we sleep. It's far more efficient to program in desired temperatures than it is to shut the unit off completely and then turn it on after a day of work. 6. Keep the sun outAnother excellent way to keep the air conditioner from needing to run as often is to block the sun during the hottest part of the day.

During the hours when the sun shines in the most, blinds or drapes should be closed. This way the home's interior temperature will not rise as much. Additionally, consider planting trees or installing awnings to diffuse some of the sunlight. 7. Get a professional inspection and cleaning done annuallyBefore each cooling season it is a great idea to get a regular maintenance check and cleaning done on the unit by an HVAC professional. Service professionals usually inspect the control box; fan motor and blades; and compressor and tubing; Additionally, refrigerant levels are inspected and adjusted if necessary, and the unit cleaned. As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. If you've ever had your central air conditioner quit working on the hottest day of the year, you fully understand that preventative A/C maintenance is definitely preferable to repairing or replacing it due to neglect. More by this AuthorCarpet CleaningMust-Have Carpet Deep Cleaner for HomeownersA heated deep cleaner for carpets is essential for every homeowner.