Your AC system will inevitably produce moisture as it cools your home. Moisture is a byproduct of thermal transfer. When heat transfers from your home’s indoor air to the evaporator coil, airborne moisture vapor will condense on the evaporator coil. To remove this moisture, your AC system may rely on a condensate pump.
What Is a Condensate Pump?
A condensate pump is a motorized device that, as the name suggests, is designed to pump condensation from one space to another space. For AC systems, it’s used to move moisture from the evaporator coil to the home’s exterior via a drain line.
All AC systems have an evaporator coil. Below this component is a tray that’s designed to collect moisture. Moisture will condense on the evaporator coil, after which it will drip down the tray below. At the bottom of this tray is a line that runs to the home’s exterior. The condensate pump is responsible for pumping moisture into this line and, thus, outside of the home.
The Mechanics of a Condensate Pump
Most condensate pumps use a simple method of operation. They are powered by an electric motor, which allows them to pump moisture from one space to another space. With that said, condensate pumps don’t run 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Your AC system’s condensate pump probably has a float switch. This device is responsible for turning on and off the condensate pump. The condensate pump will typically only run when moisture has reached or exceeded a certain level in the tray. As moisture accumulates in the tray, it will eventually trigger the float switch. The float switch will identify the high levels of moisture, and in response, it will turn on the condensate pump.
Problems Caused By a Faulty Condensate Pump
If your AC system has a faulty condensate pump, moisture may build up inside of the condensate tray. The longer you run the AC system, the more moisture will drip down onto the tray. A faulty condensate pump means the moisture won’t be able to escape this tray. It will eventually spill over the sides of the tray. In turn, your home may experience moisture damage as well as high humidity levels.
Keep in mind that some AC systems don’t need a condensate pump. Some of them rely on gravity to drain moisture from the tray to the home’s exterior. For other AC systems, though, a condensate pump is necessary.
