I recently purchased a brand new home in South Carolina that has a split unit HVAC system. To sum it up, I kept the upstairs AC set to 75 degrees since I rarely used that part of the house, while the downstairs was cranked down to 68. One day, I went to take a nap upstairs and woke up to find my bed completely soaked! The AC in the attic had leaked water through my ceiling, damaging the ceiling fan and my ceiling too. Despite having a one-year warranty with the HVAC company, they're claiming it's my fault, saying I shouldn't have a temperature difference greater than 2 degrees. They did agree to replace the insulation after some back and forth, but it's been over six months, and they keep making excuses. There are also cracks in my ceiling from the water damage, and I've paid out of pocket for a new ceiling fan. The owner of the HVAC company told me he won't cover the drywall repair or fan replacement because they say the damage is due to 'misuse.' I feel this is unfair as it's a brand new house and shouldn't be experiencing this level of moisture. What are my options?
3 Answers
It sounds like you’re dealing with a serious issue. First things first, have you considered installing a condensate safety switch? It can prevent overflow situations like this in the future, and it usually costs between $200 and $400 for installation. Also, honestly, it might be time to look for a new HVAC company. Simply giving them an honest review, possibly with pictures as proof of the damage, could help others who might be in the same boat. And definitely check the warranty details so you understand what is covered!
Just to clarify, when you say it was a leak, are you sure the condensate pan overflowed?
Sounds rough! If it's that bad, I'd suggest showing your HVAC company the evidence. It might be worth a shot to make them take responsibility!
You might want to pinpoint where the moisture is actually coming from. It sounds like it's related to a condensate leak. If you have any HVAC professionals you trust, get a second opinion. If they confirm that the damage is due to the original company’s negligence, you could even consider legal action against them as a last resort.
No, it wasn't just the pan overflowing. ALL of my insulation was sweating. I can share a video if it helps.