Condensation Humidity Issues

Have you noticed condensation/dripping water on your grilles or water stains on your ceiling?

High humidity causes ducted air conditioners grilles and equipment to sweat.

This has been increasing due to the weather patterns changing and the high dew points we now experience in South East Queensland.

Possible issues can be:

Blocked return air grilles cause serious issues with decreased airflow, collapsed ducting and/or unit failure due to refrigerant gas high pressure build up, none of which are covered under any warranty. Make sure you clean your return air filters every month to help prevent a lack of air flow due to a dirty, blocked filter.

Humidity and Dew Point.

The dew point is the temperature to which air must be cooled to become saturated with water vapour. When further cooled, the airborne water vapour will condense to form liquid water (dew). When air cools to its dew point through contact with a surface that is colder than the air, water will condense on the surface. In South East Queensland we see dew points as high as 24-25 degrees. The supply air coming through the grilles can be as low as 16 degrees and this cools the outlets and ducts accordingly creating sweating. Please note all equipment and fittings comply with building regulations and Australian Standards.

What can be done to reduce sweating:

• Don’t run the system below 24 degrees.
• All doors and windows must be closed even if that room is not being conditioned.
• Keep the return air grille filter clean.
• Don’t run just one zone.
• Due to the extremely high temperatures and humidity here in Queensland the roof space needs to be well ventilated with motor driven ventilators and eve vents to help prevent the air conditioning equipment from condensation.
• Turn the unit off for a few hours each day to let the condensation evaporate.
• Have the ducted system serviced annually to maintain the system (if safe suitable access is provided).
• Metal grilles increase the risk of sweating.