[unf0rgiven6262]

This is my first winter in a home with a rooftop ac/heater and I'm familiar with air conditioners creating condensation which has then typically gone down the drain to the side of the house. However, the heater function seems to be creating a semi constant drip from the bottom of the unit directly onto the roof. Is this normal? I'm concerned the water is going to eventually begin causing damage as there's enough of it that it's creating a puddle on the patio.

[tiger08]

Originally Posted by unf0rgiven6262

This is my first winter in a home with a rooftop ac/heater and I'm familiar with air conditioners creating condensation which has then typically gone down the drain to the side of the house. However, the heater function seems to be creating a semi constant drip from the bottom of the unit directly onto the roof. Is this normal? I'm concerned the water is going to eventually begin causing damage as there's enough of it that it's creating a puddle on the patio.

Is it a gas unit, or heat pump? A heat pump will leak water off the roof after a defrost cycle and is completely normal.
Some people have a gutter made to go under the unit but also depends on the unit, not all of them are easy to put gutters on.

[unf0rgiven6262]

Originally Posted by tiger08

Is it a gas unit, or heat pump? A heat pump will leak water off the roof after a defrost cycle and is completely normal.
Some people have a gutter made to go under the unit but also depends on the unit, not all of them are easy to put gutters on.

It's electric. I'm assuming the defrost cycle doesn't drain the water down the same drain that's attached for the A/C?

[tiger08]

Originally Posted by unf0rgiven6262

It's electric. I'm assuming the defrost cycle doesn't drain the water down the same drain that's attached for the A/C?

No, it doesnt use the same drain. In the summer, the water is coming off of your evaporator coil inside the unit and has a drain attached. In the winter, the water is coming off your outdoor condenser coil and has no provision for a drain line, hence the reason some use a gutter.