Taking the time to clean your air conditioner's drain line (or the condensate line) can have a great positive effect on how efficiently your system runs. Here's how to quickly and safely prevent problems with your unit.
If you’ve ever taken a good look at your air conditioning unit you may have noticed a small dripping line on the outside. This is the condensate drain, which plays an important role in removing condensation produced by your air conditioner's evaporator coil. If the line isn’t properly cleaned, algae and mold can grow inside and clog the drain, causing elevated humidity, musty odors and water damage inside your home.
How to Unclog Your AC Condensate Drain Line with Vinegar
Clearing the AC condensate drain line is key to optimal performance of your home AC unit. In this easy to follow step-by-step guide, you can learn how to clean and maintain your AC condensate drain line once a month using vinegar.
Step 1. First, you need to switch off the air conditioner. Switch it off both at the breaker and the thermostat to be safe.
Step 2. The next step is to find out where the AC condensate drain line is located. You will find the drain line near the outdoor unit. It is a PVC pipe that runs from the outdoor unit and it is attached to the wall of the house.
Step 3. Now you need to identify the AC condensate drain line point of access. Some have a capped or covered T-shaped vent. You will need to remove that cap to check if the pipe is clogged.
Step 4. If it is clogged or a blockage is starting to build up, flush the pipe with distilled vinegar. You do that by pouring a 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar through the AC condensate drain line. We recommend distilled vinegar because its acidity clears the clog faster. You may also use hot water, dish soap, or peroxide if you cannot stand the smell of vinegar.
Step 5. Allow the solution to sit in the AC condensate drain line for 30 minutes. After that, you can flush the pipe with water to make sure that it is now clear and is operating normally.
WHY DOES A CONDENSATE DRAIN CLOG?
You depend on the AC to keep your home comfortable, and pulling humidity out of the air is part of the cooling process. Accumulated moisture drips off the evaporator coil into a tray underneath the equipment. Your condensate drain line leads from this drip pan to your home’s exterior, but the escape route eventually narrows with dirt buildup and algae growth. When the drain clogs, the tray floods and sends water seeping through ceilings and walls. Some HVAC systems prevent this wet scenario with a float switch that detects the problem and turns off your air conditioner.HOW CAN YOU FIX IT?
You may need to remove the air conditioner’s service panel for clear access to the drain and drip pan. The drain is usually a tee with a removable threaded plug and a vent featuring a trap. Clean up the inside with a wet-dry vacuum, then use it on the outside drain termination. Running the vacuum for five minutes should pull out the blockage. A plumber’s snake can reach some small clogs, but be careful not to damage the line. Pouring vinegar down the drain is a simple approach, but it takes several hours to work and isn’t effective on bad backups.Why you need to clean the drain line
If you look at your air conditioner, you will notice a dripping line in the outside unit. This is called the condensate drain. When the evaporator coil of the AC unit produces condensation, the water should not stay inside the unit. It should drain outside. This is coursed through the drain pipe.It is important to clean this because it can cause mold and algae to grow inside the AC unit. This can compromise the quality of the air that circulates your home. It will also cause the air to smell. That can result in respiratory problems for everyone inside the house.
Given that, you need to make sure the drain line is clean all the time. It only involves a simple process that will not really require a professional. If you know your AC unit, you should be able to clean it yourself.
Before we dwell on the steps to clean it, you need to get the materials together. You only need to get a vacuum, funnel, distilled vinegar, and rags.
How to clean the drain pipe of your air conditioner
To clean the drain line of the air conditioner, you need to turn off the HVAC system first. Make sure both the thermostat and breaker are off.Once it is off, you need to look for the condensate pan. For indoor air handlers, this is usually under the AC unit. Most of the time, this is covered by an access panel. You need to remove this so you can access the pan. If the drain pan has water in it, that is an indication that the drain is clogged.
Get the rag and soak up the liquid. Once it is gone, you can use the vacuum to remove any dirt or debris that is clogging the dripping line. The suction should be able to clean the inside. Surgical tubing can also be used to clear any blockage. Take out the pan and clean it with soap. Rinse it with clean water.
You can cover one end of the pipe and run the vacuum on the other end to suck out any dirt inside. You can see the dirt and debris that had been clogging the line when you open the vacuum canister.
Use the distilled vinegar and flush the drain. If there is a smell, you can use the peroxide to remove the debris inside. Hot water and dishwashing liquid can also be an alternative to the vinegar. Let the solution soak for 30 minutes before you flush it out with water. If the water is running smoothly on the other end of the drain line, then everything is clean.
You can now reassemble everything. Wait a few moments before you turn on the AC unit.
Try checking the pan after a few days to see if the water is still accumulating. If yes, then there is something wrong with the drain line. You need to get in touch with a professional to take a look at the AC unit.
