Drip Pan Under the Attic Installed Air Conditioning Coil
Single story homes, with no basement or crawlspace often utilize attic for heating / cooling system installation. All such installation should include a protective drip pan underneath (plastic or metal tray positioned underneath the evaporator coil cabinet / compartment), to collect condensate water. Evaporator coil will not be visible to you, because it’s hidden inside the metal duct or its own compartment, but it has a drip pan underneath – this is the main drip pan that catches condensate water, and through the attached pipe (min 3/4″ in diameter, and 1/8″/ft slope) – this you should be able to see, because pipe comes out of the air duct or coil compartment wall, and continues through or beyond the attic to some conspicuous location so you can occasionally inspect it, and if you notice dripping, you’ll know, that that the main drip pan needs attention (should not be connected directly to waste or vent pipe). Because this drain pipe might become clogged, secondary drip pan is required, with its own drain pipe, and safety / water detection sensor with cut-out switch – recommended, which would turn off air conditioning system. For some reason, installers forget that second tray, and you might end-up with damaged ceiling and costly repairs.
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