Condensation is an inherent effect of air conditioning. It results from water condensing during air cooling. The amount of condensation depends on the humidity and air temperature in the room. Where does condensation accumulate, and how should air conditioning condensation be drained?
Where does air conditioning water condense?
One of the functions of any air conditioning system is to reduce air humidity. Atmospheric air drawn from outside a building typically has a water content higher than the 40–60% considered optimal for human health. To achieve optimal indoor water vapor conditions, the conditioned air must undergo a dehumidification process, which is performed in the indoor air conditioning unit. The evaporator is responsible for this function.
How does the process of dehydrating conditioned air during cooling work? In an indoor unit —for example, a wall-mounted air conditioner—warm outside air passes through the evaporator, which is essentially a heat exchanger. It consists of tubes through which a refrigerant flows. As warm outside air passes through the evaporator, the refrigerant absorbs heat energy, and the cool air is then distributed into the room, lowering the temperature. One effect of this heat exchange is condensation on the evaporator, which is the condensation of excess water in the outside air. A condensation drainage system involves diverting the condensed water into a drain pipe or condensation tank located inside or outside the air conditioning unit.
Condensate from air conditioning - what to do with them?
What to do with the water that has condensed in indoor unit? The liquid is initially collected in a drip tray, which is located directly below the evaporator. So that the air conditioner does not leak, it must be properly designed condensate drainage. This system can take advantage of two drainage methods. At air conditioning installation can be applied draining the condensate into the tank na outside the building. The second method is to drain the water into sewage system.
Undoubtedly the most popular and convenient method air conditioning condensation drains is to connect the installation condensate to the sewer. In this way, the condensed water is continuously drained from the system, and the whole process does not require human intervention. The key is only proper design condensate drain. At the same time, it is worth remembering that at the point of insertion condensate drain do existing riser sewage system use a siphon that will protect against unpleasant odors. Here the question arises, what pipe to drain the condensate from the air conditioner will be the best? In these solutions, all types of drain pipes made of, for example, PVC or various metal alloys will work. It is important that the drain pipe is properly fixed and positioned so that the condensate flows through. If the pipe is incorrectly fixed or positioned, blockage may occur condensate drainwhich in turn may cause condensation to overflow.
The second way to draining the condensate from the air conditioning is the application external tankwhere the condensed water will collect. There is, however, one downside to this solution emptying the tank regularly. This operation must be repeated quite often, because in the hot summer there is a lot of water vapor in the air, which results in the production of a large amount of water amount of condensate. Moreover, tanks for air conditioning condensate are mounted on outside the building, which in the case of apartments in multi-storey buildings, especially those that do not have a balcony, becomes problematic. In addition, cooperatives or housing associations do not always agree to the installation of the tank for fear of its permanent overflow and the possibility of flooding the facade of the building. What kind of condensate container for air conditioning to choose? It is worth choosing a large condensation tank, because in the summer, in one hour, the air conditioning, with high air humidity, can produce up to 1 liter of condensate. The tank should be regularly emptied and kept clean. Containers for condensate from air conditioning are usually equipped with water level sensors that signal when the container is full and needs to be emptied.
Condensate drainage systems are sometimes designed to discharge condensate directly to the ground through a pipe extending outside the building. However, it's important to remember that air conditioning condensate discharged this way can fall onto people or objects, potentially causing conflict.
Condensation drain from the air conditioner often requires application condensate pumps. This device helps drain the condensate from the air conditioning in installations that do not guarantee gravity condensate discharge. Gravitational application drainage requires the inclination of the pipes relative to the plane by at least 1 - 2 degrees per 1 running meter. It is worth adding that the greater the drop, the easier it will be condensate drainage. Moreover, in large-scale installations where air conditioners are located at a great distance from outdoor unit, assembly condensate pumps will also be necessary.
How to drain condensation from a portable air conditioner?
Condensation also needs to be drained from a portable air conditioner. Condensation in these units is typically collected in a water tank, which is usually located inside the air conditioner. The air conditioner's condensation tank should be emptied regularly to prevent it from overflowing. Portable air conditioners may be equipped with a drain pipe that allows for proper drainage of condensation directly outside the unit.
