Expert: J Cook - 9/8/2004

Question
Hello,

Towards the end of every summer, I get water collecting under my hot water heater. I don't think the water actually comes from the hot water heater, I think it is coming out of some kind of overflow pipe that runs from the indoor heating/cooling unit and outdoor AC unit. This overflow pipe is next to the hot water heater in a well like area. It is almost flush to the floor, but it does seem to be slowly seeping water out.

I usually contact a heating/cooling specialist who tells me that I am low on freon, and as a result, there is water collecting in a tray inside my heating/cooling unit. They drain the tray, and add freon to resolve the problem. The difference this summer is that I have not had the air conditioning running.

I wonder if the problem is really related to the dehumidifier unit attached to my indoor heating/cooling unit. I never turn the dehumidifier off.

I'd appreciate any advice you can give me regarding the water seeping, and the correct maintenance/operation of a dehumidifier linked into the heating unit.

Thanks, Maureen

Answer
Hello Maureen. I hate when this happens as it gives this industry a bad name, but the a/c technician has been taking you for a ride. A properly sealed system will NEVER have to be recharged. It is supposed to be a sealed system upon installation and unless the unit develops a leak, it will never have to be recharged, or added to. If a technician ever adds to the system charge, ask him where the leak was and what did he do to repair it. I would go as far as making him show you where the leak was. As far as the water, you have to be correct since the a/c has not been on. A dehumdifier will extract a great deal of water from the air, this is also the case when the a/c is on. Operating the a/c as a natural part of the process dehumidifys also. Since water does collect in the unit, I would have it cleaned out at least once per year and sanitized. There may be a small hole in the drain line, the drain pan is overflowing, or the drain is clogged. The drain line and drain pan should be treated when the unit is serviced. There should never be water where you are seeing it and a technician should inspect it closely and determine where it is coming from and repair it permanently. If you pay a service company again to do this, keep the invoice and ask ahead what is their warranty period. Most will warranty labor for one year, and if the problem persists, make them repair it at no charge. I hope this helps some with your decision, thanks for asking, J