If moisture does not properly drain out of the condensate line, it can freeze within the line when temperatures drop below 32°F.
As it cools below 35 degrees, water condenses on it. 3) The car roof continues to cool. As it cools below 32, the water on the roof freezes. This is what you see when you look at your car early in the morning.
Air conditioners are graduated to run within an ideal set of temperature thresholds. If you are operating your AC when the outdoor air is below 60 degrees, then the air pressure inside your unit will fall, and this can cause your Central Air Conditioner to freeze up.
The condensate pipe should be quite thin - 32mm is the most common. It may or may not be insulated. It's not uncommon for insulation to wear and erode over time, so many of these pipes start freezing in winter.
The most straightforward way to keep your condensate line from freezing repeatedly is to insulate the pipe. You can try to do this yourself with an insulated wrap. If that doesn't solve the problem, call an HVAC contractor.
Insulation is required to effectively prevent condensation on the pipe. Condensate water is a natural by-product of the aircon system cooling process. This water needs to be efficiently removed from the system to avoid any humid condition problems such as mould and mildew.
You'll soon know if you have a frozen condensate pipe as things will get rather chilly. You're unlikely to have access to heating and hot water. There may also be some rather strange gurgling sounds coming from your boiler. If you take a look at your boiler's control panel, you're likely to find it's stopped operating.
Your pipes are at risk of freezing any time temperatures drop below 32°F. However, it's much more common for pipes to freeze when temperatures dip below 20°F. The longer the weather remains below freezing, the more likely it is your pipes can freeze if not properly protected and winterized.
Condensate pipes can be insulated for frost protection using black foam pipe lagging called Nitrile Rubber. You can also use Polyethelene insulation for external condensate such as Armacell Tubolit. However, we recommend using Condensate Pro's specialist condensate pipe insulation if possible.
Dirty air filter: A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, which can make it harder for your AC unit to cool your home. If your air filter is dirty, it's recommended to replace it every 1-3 months. Low refrigerant: Refrigerant is a liquid that helps your AC unit transfer heat from inside your home to the outside.
A common rule of thumb is that most models can function properly only above 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Any lower temperature will result in the system freezing up.
Freezing can be seen within the evaporator coil, or on the exterior of the outside unit (the condenser coils), and will appear to be covered in a thin layer of ice due to frost having built up on the refrigerant lines.
If moisture does not properly drain out of the condensate line, it can freeze within the line when temperatures drop below 32°F.
The temperature in your home
This can cause condensation. Keep doors of unheated rooms open to allow some heat into them. Ideally your home should be heated between 18 to 21 degrees Celsius, but older people, babies and people who are less mobile may need it to be warmer.
A local study done on frost formation relating temperature to dew point has these guidelines for frost: temperatures from 38 to 42 F can lead to patchy frost, 33 to 37 areas of frost, and 32 and below widespread frost/freeze.
When the weather is very cold outside, let the cold water drip from the faucet served by exposed pipes. Running water through the pipe - even at a trickle - helps prevent pipes from freezing.
Regardless of how long you will be traveling and away from home, keep your thermostat set at 68 degrees Fahrenheit or above. This will help to keep the pipes on the inside of the home from freezing and the ones under the home at a slightly higher temperature as well.
So, exactly how cold does it need to be before you do this? Southern Living says professionals list the threshold temperature for pipes to freeze at 20 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning this or anything below can create a potential for water to turn to ice in your pipes.
If the pipe that runs the condensate to the outside of the house freezes over, your furnace won't be able to work! This is something that can unfortunately happen if the drip of condensate outside builds into an icicle that enters the drain line.
If you are using an air handler where the drain is on the negative side, you must have a trap.
Winter erosion, UV damage and condensation may require insulation replacement to avoid temperature fluctuations or malfunctioning. With worn insulation or no insulation at all, refrigerant lines may absorb heat, reducing the system's cooling capacity.