Drippy Heat Pump

Q: I have a heat pump question. How much water should be coming out of my A/C unit? It is an 8-year-old system, and it seems to be dripping excessively out the drain.

A: The dripping water is condensation, moisture that results from dehumidifying the air as it passes through the system. The actual amount of water will vary day by day, depending on the relative humidity of the atmosphere.

The actual amount of water also depends on the size of your system and how many cubic feet of air it handles. In general, with a central air unit for a single family dwelling, it would not be uncommon to drain several gallons a day.