Ducted Reverse Cycle Air Conditioner Maintenance

SaberX on 05/01/2022 - 16:42

Hi all. Recently discovered the ceiling leaking water down a cornice edge. Appears air cond related as halts once we turn it off

It's a ducted Reverse Cycle Panasonic unit hung in roof. As part of touching base with air cond after sales service they wash their hands clean of installation, electrical and pipework as being 2 yrs Max. We did it circa Dec 2016. Used sparingly.

On response they mention a yearly or at least ever two years regular maintenance to prevent these issues. Is this normal? As I've never heard of anyone having their ducted Reverse Cycle maintained and serviced each year? The outdoor condenser is on pavement so isn't covered in bush so nothing ever done. Just the return air grill filter is washed.

They mentioned the drain side given the hot and cold temps in roof should be serviced yearly: drain can get blocked and overflow, connections coming loose. Insulation on piping eroding and supposedly which a servicemen needs to maintain.

Is this true? Or warranty shirking? Again haven't heard of people going up to maintain drainage? Is there any regular maintenance or troubleshooting homeowners can do each year up in the roof cavity unit and that I could try now prior to calling in the servicemen re: leaking roof? It isn't a heavy leak but it's a constant drip and pooling puddle wise after 40 minutes of being on… Last we counted. So I presume it's not a huge burst or break.

Any other preventative maintenance tips? Or should we literally be paying up for the annual servicing (seems abit of a money grab for some peace of mind? Again never hear of people doing this)?

Home & Garden

Comments

  • pformag on 05/01/2022 - 17:05
    +3

    Do you have a small PVC pipe that comes outside? With reverse Ducted , there is normally a pipe for the water that goes outside, this is normally near the side of the house that has the outside unit.

    Maybe that pipe has come loose inside your roof area.

    Check the outside pipe, to see if water is coming out of that 1st.

    • MS Paint on 05/01/2022 - 17:07

      This

    • SaberX on 05/01/2022 - 18:12

      I thought only ducted evaporative had a pipe where water gets dumped after use? Does reverse cycle dump water also after or during use?

      As mentioned below condenser unit has some cables and gas piping to the ceiling on that side of the house. But I will neeed to check as I don't recall piping. Are you saying the blockage would be here? As that's be a mighty way down from the unit?

      On the completely other side of house they installed a small pipe just coming out of the ceiling board outside our laundry sliding door. I was told it's dry but if any water comes out it was a very bad sign something was wrong? I don't think I've ever checked this though for water during air cond use? So not sure if it usually ejects water. Or is this a different fail safe?

      If pipe has come loose in ceiling is this something I'll see close to the hung unit? Does the unit eject water via the pipe while in use? And also condensation on the pipes just falls into drip tray ? Are those the two main drain related maintenance items?

      • pformag on 06/01/2022 - 05:42

        There is normally 2 pipes. One is dry and one is wet. The wet pipe might be connected direct to the gutter or downpipe. On my system, both are next to each other,comming out the eve.

  • JimmyF on 05/01/2022 - 17:50

    Blocked drain, nothing to major and yes normally covered as part of 'maintenance', not warranty after that timeframe.

    Got a wet/dry vac? If so, find the outside exit point for the drain and give it a good suck with the vac, you'll clear the blockage and everything will be AOK again.

    You can also get up in the roof and check the drainage pan is clear too.

    • SaberX on 05/01/2022 - 18:08

      I don't have a wet dry vac. Only a normal bag vac. I can get one if neeed be. One one side of the house I have my condenser double standing unit. I remember cables and the gas pipework linking up into the outside ceiling. But not pipework.

      On the complete other side of house the gutters ceiling outside laundry has a small hole or pipe in the ceiling. I was told I shouldn't see water coming out of it unless there's a real problem? Is this a failsafe or something else?? Or is this the actual drain ?

      I can't find much online on anatomy of what is up there. Is there a drainage pan /sheet attached to the hung air cond unit? So long as I turn off roof power I presume before hand can I simply go up there with a bag and gloves and unblock anything in pan? Anything else to look for? Surprisingly hard to find any pictures of what the hung unit looks like or the drainage /piping… Only links to servicing companies when googling. Nothing on self maintenance either.

      Currently the Panasonic authorised repairer is a $180 call out fee.. seems abit pricy? Not sure if industry standard. But if it's a quick self ….unblock

    • spackbace on 05/01/2022 - 18:39

      I used a 12v inflator (like you use for blow up mattresses etc), blowing air up the pipe, to sort that out on a previous unit. Wouldn't recommend (due to chance of things going wrong), but worked and didn't cause any issues… leaf blower could do the same thing

  • iamherenow on 05/01/2022 - 18:09
    +1

    Roof unit may drain to your gutter. And gutters may be blocked.

    • SaberX on 05/01/2022 - 18:38

      I can get a ladder to check. Were in urban residential so most greenery or large trees are gone. Never cleared the gutters but presumably I'd hope pretty clean. Where would I find out where it drains to in gutter though?

      • iamherenow on 05/01/2022 - 18:46

        If it does there will be small diameter PVC pipe coming from inside roof into gutter. If you go into roof, you should be able to follow pipe from unit to exit.

        • SaberX on 05/01/2022 - 18:55

          Good idea will follow via the unit. Probably good idea to check my gutters anyhow sometime post summer (if not the cause).

          Never been into the roof. I presume power to mains off, but that aside it's simply stating on bigger wooden beams when walking around?

          • iamherenow on 05/01/2022 - 22:01

            @SaberX: Sounds sensible. Good luck.

            • SaberX on 06/01/2022 - 00:14

              @iamherenow: I've found two pipes outside actually. But one is up the wall behind a cover plate with the electricity and gas etc cords to the condenser outside so it may be just to keep cables tied straight. The other is a drop hole out of the plaster board eaves ceiling out the front of my laundry cupboard. Seems more a drop safe. I did look into the roof. Am happy to walk in there but having never gone up I'm abit worried just which wood I can and can't step on…. Hmmm of two minds now as to calling them in to sort it or not hmm

              • pformag on 06/01/2022 - 05:46

                @SaberX: It should be with the other pipe by the laundry side,they may have connected to a downpipe close by.

                Regards to walking on wood, you can stand on the larger long beams, not the small ones directly touching the ceiling boards.

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