Why is my ducted air con causing stains on my ceiling?

What you can do about excess moisture in your home’s roof

If you’ve noticed dirty water stains on your ceiling lately, you’re not alone. Brisbane’s recent extraordinary humidity has caused ducted air conditioners throughout the South East to experience higher-than-normal condensation. This has led to stains around the air con ceiling vents, and some unhappy householders.

And while this extreme humidity may be unprecedented, with a changing climate we can most probably look forward to more of these weather conditions into the future. So what can be done about water stains on your home’s ceiling? We asked Jaric’s air conditioning experts for their top tips on avoiding water stains.

How humidity and condensation are causing problems

It’s a well-known and greatly appreciated sight here in Queensland – the droplets of water beading on an ice-cold drink at the end of a warm working day! But while this condensation may be a welcome sight on your stubbie, it’s not such a good thing on your ducted air con’s piping in your home’s ceiling.

Because your ceiling cavity isn’t air conditioned, the air up there will be warm or hot on a humid summer’s day. And when the air con piping cools down, condensation inevitably follows. This excess water needs somewhere to go – sadly, sometimes into your lounge room ceiling!

So is there anything that can help to avoid these issues with condensation?

Preventing excess condensation from causing problems with water

Fortunately, there are a few steps you can take to prevent excess humidity causing condensation in your roof cavity – and dirty water marks on your ceiling.

1) Don’t set your ducted air con too cold

Running your ducted air conditioner too cold will help cause condensation within your home as well as in your roof cavity – and as we’ve seen, that is not good. It can lead to water damage and mould growth inside your home.

If you just can’t see yourself setting the air con to a comfy 23 degrees year round, talk to Jaric about adding extra insulation during install to prevent this sweating and condensation from a very cold air con.

2) Install extra insulation on the air con pipework and ducting

Just like the stubby cooler that insulates your beer bottle, installing extra insulation on the ducted air con’s ducting can help overcome condensation.

Ask your ducted air con installer about the benefits of extra insulation to the ductwork and other areas – even over and above the manufacturer’s recommendation – before you commit to an installation.

3) Check for built-up waste or vermin in the system

Another issue which can cause a blocked drain in your air con is a build-up of waste or pests in the system. Check whether some unwelcome visitors have made their home in your ducted air con and caused overflow problems.

4) Ensure sufficient ventilation in your home’s ceiling space

By making sure that humid air can easily flow away from your air con, you can help prevent excess condensation.

For example, think about installing whirlybirds on your roof to create better air flow-through and reduce stagnant air in the ceiling space.

5) Choose the right ducted air con for the job

Not every air conditioner is created equal. A good quality unit will boast clever design and features that can overcome the problem of excess condensation.

For example, the latest Mitsubishi Heavy Industries air cons feature a clever float switch that will turn off the air con if there’s ever a drain issue, preventing excess water from damaging your ceiling.

Contact Jaric Air Conditioning for expert advice on your home ducted air con

Water damaging your home’s ceiling is a potentially serious problem if not addressed. If there’s enough water pooling above your ceiling, it can eventually cause it to collapse.

That’s why it pays to talk to an expert ducted air con installer who understands South East Queensland’s special conditions, and can advise you on the steps you can take to ensure a better install.

If you’re wondering whether your sparkie is qualified to do this, we invite you to talk to Jaric Air Conditioning about a Second Opinion on any quote you’ve been given.

To find out more, call Jaric Electrical & Air Conditioning on 1300 452 742 or contact us online.