Monrovia HVAC: Learn What Causes a Wet Air Filter and How to Prevent It in the Future

Monrovia HVAC: Learn What Causes a Wet Air Filter and How to Prevent It in the Future

If you regularly check your HVAC system’s air filter, an accumulation of dust should come as no surprise. It’s just a sign telling you it’s time to change the filter. What most homeowners don’t expect is to find a wet air filter, but it can happen. Read on to learn what causes this and what you can do to prevent the issue in the future.

Clogged Drain Lines

As your air conditioner cools the air, moisture condenses, just like the moisture on a glass of ice water. Normally, this water will drip into a collector pan that will carry it outside, away from the unit. If the collector pan or the lines leading from it become clogged, water will back up and overflow where it shouldn’t, causing damage to the ceiling, walls and floors. If undetected, the moisture can cause mold problems and even back up into the system itself, being absorbed by the air filter.

Incorrect Installation

If a professional team didn’t install your air conditioner correctly, water may not drain where it should. Furthermore, condensation from the evaporator coils may find its way to the air filter. Always look to a reliable contractor when installing a new A/C system.

Slow Coolant Leak

When the air conditioner develops a leak, it will still cool the air for a while. In fact, it will cool it so much that the coils will freeze. This reduces the amount of airflow and eventually the system will stop working. As a result, moisture could make its way to the air filter. If you discover that the coils are frozen, turn the unit off immediately and contact a certified technician for assistance.

Schedule Regular Service with Air-Tro

The best way to prevent the possibility of a wet air filter is to schedule regular maintenance with a reliable HVAC contractor.

At the first sign of a wet air filter, contact the pros at Air-Tro, Inc. We’ve provided HVAC services to homeowners in the Inland Empire since 1969.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the greater Monrovia, California area about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).

Credit/Copyright Attribution: “Stuart Miles/Shutterstock”