Water getting into places it’s not supposed to be is every Indianapolis homeowner’s nightmare. Luckily, AC duct condensation isn’t that much moisture, but it’s still enough to put you at increased risk for mold.

If you spot your AC ducts sweating once, take note. If the problem persists, take action to fix it at the source. Here’s what causes AC duct condensation and how you can fix it.

What Causes Condensation on AC Ducts?

Warm, moist air outside the ductwork meeting the cold surface of your ducts causes the most condensation. Contributing factors include:

  • Poorly sealed ducts. Duct leaks allow cool, dry air from inside the system to meet warm, moist air outside of it, causing the outside moisture to condense on the ducts.

  • Uninsulated ducts. Air conditioning cools the metal of your ducts. Without a barrier, any moisture in the air of your home will condense on the cold metal.

  • High humidity in your home. Lots of excess moisture in the air means condensation will form more quickly and easily.

  • Dirty air filters or restricted airflow. Proper airflow keeps a steady stream of cool air moving through your home and HVAC system. Without that airflow, the air in your ducts could cool the metal too low, encouraging condensation.

  • Clogged ducts. Clogged ducts reduce airflow, leading to the same result as dirty air filters.

  • Mechanical problems with your HVAC. Some broken ACs may over-cool the air in your ducts, or introduce too much warm, moist air to them.

  • Duct location. AC duct condensation in attic and basement spaces is common due to the often-untreated air on these floors. That leaves an abundance of moisture to condense onto the cold surfaces of metal ducts. Foundation moisture problems also make it common to find air duct condensation on basement ducts.

How to Deal with AC Duct Condensation

If you have a condensation problem, take these steps to get it fixed and prevent the issue from returning:

  • Have your ducts sealed. Leaking ducts may cause condensation as cooled air meets warm air. Schedule duct repair to handle any leaks.

  • Add new duct insulation to prevent condensation. Special duct insulation keeps warm air outside your HVAC system away from the cool metal of your ducts, which can cause moisture to condense. The duct insulation goes around the outside of your ducts, also helping to make heating and cooling more efficient since it will help treated air maintain its temperature longer. Commercially available fiberglass installation is available, but you can trust the job to the pros to do the most thorough insulation job.

  • Maintain current duct insulation. Duct insulation can wear out or tear over time. Have any material that has holes or tears replaced. Worn insulation can make the condensation problem worse by trapping moist air against the cold metal.

  • Perform regular system maintenance. Change your HVAC air filter every three months (or more often if it gets dirty quickly) and check that your vents are open to allow airflow. Schedule regular AC maintenance to ensure that any mechanical problems will be caught early.

  • Keep air flowing. Always keep your vents open to allow proper airflow without trapping any warm, moist air from outdoors against cool metal ducts. If you have chronic airflow problems, routine duct cleanings every three to five years could clear up your condensation problems.

  • Remove humidity. Condensation on HVAC ducts may simply mean the humidity in your home is too high. Remove excess water from the air with a whole-home dehumidifier.

  • Insulate your attic or basement. Maintaining a more even temperature in your attic or basement reduces the likelihood that any ductwork running through these areas will fall victim to condensation.

  • Call for AC repairs. Some AC problems, like dirty evaporator coils, can cause condensation. Schedule AC repair to handle any damage within your HVAC system.

The Consequences of Sweating AC Ducts

If your air conditioning ducts sweat, you may end up having to deal with a range of problems, including:

  • Mold and mildew. Air conditioning ducts run through mostly-unseen areas of your home, meaning you might need extensive mold remediation by the time you notice the problem.

  • Damaged insulation. Wet insulation compacts, making it less effective. Condensation can destroy not only duct insulation but the insulation for your home.

  • Water damage. Because ducts often run through your walls, damp ducts can cause water damage to your home’s framing and drywall over time.

Will Wet Duct Insulation Dry Out on Its Own?

If your AC duct insulation gets wet, it usually won’t dry on its own, especially if the humidity issue isn’t corrected. Since the moisture is likely on the inside of the insulation where it touches the ducts, the moisture is trapped and has nowhere to go. Uninsulated ducts can also drip onto your home’s insulation. A little dampness may dry out, but thoroughly wet home insulation will likely need to be replaced.

The Indianapolis HVAC Experts to Call for Wet AC Ducts

When you find wet ducts, we can dry them out and keep them that way! The HVAC experts at One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning of Indianapolis can handle everything from worn insulation and duct leaks to damaged ducts and malfunctioning AC units. Don’t wait for the problem to get worse; give us a call at (317) 795-0373 or book online today.