When you take time to clean your air conditioner’s drain line, this goes a long way toward improving the efficiency of the HVAC system. If you don’t have the time or inclination, contact an HVAC specialist near you. However, cleaning the condensate line is a simple procedure that’s easily done by homeowners who want to maintain their system and save money.
How to Get Started
Head outside and take a look at the air conditioning unit attached to the outside of the home. Do you see a small line on the outside unit? This is called the condensate drain. It plays a huge role in keeping condensation from building up inside the AC unit’s evaporator coil. When this line doesn’t get cleaned often, mold and algae form. Eventually, the drain clogs, humidity levels elevate, and water damage or musty odors might form inside the home.
Surprisingly, even HVAC technicians forget to clean this area of the system when performing their maintenance checks. So, even if you have regular maintenance service on your system, it’s a good idea to check this line periodically.
To get started cleaning this line, you’ll need the following products:
- Rags
- A wet/dry vacuum
- Distilled vinegar
- A funnel
6 Steps to Clean Your AC Drain Line
- Shut off the power to the HVAC system.
- Find the condensate pan.
- Check for standing water in the drain pan. It the pan has water, it’s likely your drain line is clogged. Remove the moisture using a shop vacuum or the rags.
- Clear the clogged drain using the shop vacuum. The suction should remove the clog.
- Identify the access point on the drain line and remove the cover. From here you can inspect the drain. Now flush the port with distilled vinegar.
- Let the vinegar work for at least 30 minutes, then complete the cleaning by flushing the pipe with water.
If you aren’t comfortable cleaning the drain line, call an air conditioning service professional. They can clear the line, install an access vent, and make any other repairs that are necessary. Even after the line is cleaned, make sure to check it periodically to make sure it stays that way. Sometimes underlying conditions cause the drain to continue to back up and these problems need immediate repairing to protect the entire HVAC system.
Protect Your Home Warranty
If you’re considering forgoing maintenance on your HVAC system, you could get hit with a major repair bill. Most air conditioning units come with a limited warranty that protects against common issues that come up over the lifespan of the unit. However, this warranty protection only goes into effect when homeowners perform regular maintenance on their units.
Not sure what your warranty specifies in terms of maintenance? Check with your air conditioner’s manufacturer for these specifics. Your local AC service provider should be able to answer any questions you have too.
Schedule Maintenance Service Today
Contact your local HVAC company to set up regular maintenance services to clean your air conditioner’s drain line and make other small adjustments.
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