heat pump question

[ally68]

Is it normal in the summer in a.c. mode for the outside unit to make a large wet spot on the ground looks like water draining out. is this just from the high humidity in the air makeing lots of condensation on the condenser? Seems the last 3 weeks it has been alot more than normal but it has been around 100 for a few weeks and very humid.

[TigerDunes]

ally68

Assuming your AC system is cooling satisfactorily, then I would say this is just normal condensation. Is your big copper line at your AC condensor insulated, if not then this is probably the source of your problem. Easily corrected with wrap around foam insulation that can be purchased at HD/Lowes.

:)

[ally68]

cooling fine there is a big piece inside that is sweating alot it has two big things in it one is covered with some sort of weather proof cover looks like. the other one is not and it sweats really bad. but is also very cold so sounds like condensation. the line is insulated right up to the tee thing at the condenser and it is also very cold and sweating.

[DNT1]

I have seen this a number of times, when a restrictive type return filter has been used. The more restrictive filters cause the airflow to slow down across the evaporator coil which in turn causes the refrigerant in the evaporator to not boil off completely inside the coil sending liquid refrigerant into the suction line to the compressor. The liquid refrigerant continues boiling in the line as it makes it way towards your compressor absorbing latent heat and causing low temps on the suction line and subsequent excess sweating I have seen systems that actually have a sweating compressor. This will lead to early failure of the compressor since liquid refrigerant cannot be compressed it will break the internal valves, the other result is low efficiency operation of the unit, neither one being good news for a homeowner. A proper return should be sized to a minimum 200 sg inches of filter face surface area per ton so if you have a four ton unit you should have 800 sg inches of filter face which is two 20in x 20in filters. If you find yourself stuck with a to small filter face area DO NOT BUY AND INSTALL THE PLEATED HIGH RESTRICTION FILTERS (unless you add more filter face area). You will have airflow problems, just buy the cheapo blue fiberglass, your unit will thank you.