Have you ever noticed steam coming out of your vents whenever you run your air conditioning unit? You are probably wondering if your home is on fire and may have called the attention of the nearest fire department in the area. If you are not really competent in this matter, check out this important information from the experts at Spencer Air Conditioning and Heating. What Causes The Steam to Come Out From The A/C Vents? You will see fog or steam coming out of your A/C vents when the cold, dry air comes in contact with the warm, moist air near the air conditioner. This usually happens in the summer when the weather is warm and humid. It results from the condensation of the water vapor which forms in the air when the temperature of the unit is below the dew point. There must be water buildup that sits at the bottom of the vents, and when you start to run your system, and the air flow hits these water droplets, a steam-like air is created. There is odorless steam while there are also those which have a troublesome odor due to mold growth. This can happen eventually because of the moist environment in the system. Here is a list of the conditions inside the air conditioning unit which aggravate the situation.
- Having a dirty air filter is the most common cause of high humidity inside the system. When the airflow is obstructed by the dirt and dust particles in the filters, there is greater and slower exposure of the cold air to the moist air which causes the humidity to rise. The higher the moisture, the worse the fog that you will see in your vents. Be sure not to skip your regular schedule of air filter cleaning and replacement.
- Low fan speed can also cause the steam and fog to form. When the fan works continuously on high speed, the air conditioner will cool the room faster, and the system will dry on its own.
