Keeping Your Condensate Drain Clog-Free

January 14th, 2019 Posted in Air Conditioning Service and Repair
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One of the key elements of an air conditioner is the evaporator coil, which cools the air as it passes over or through the coils. As this occurs, condensation accumulates and needs to be drained. The condensate drain is essential for removing the moisture created in the cooling process, but it is possible for it to become clogged. If this happens, water can overflow and leak into your home, causing expensive water damage. Keeping the condensate drain clear is an important maintenance issue to protect your home and the efficiency of your AC unit.

Condensate Drain Maintenance

What clogs condensate drains in AC units? Usually clogs are due to dust, pet hair or mold that get inside the drain lines. A quality AC filter can help reduce the amount of dust and debris that can make it inside the unit, but mold is always a possibility. If you have a tune-up or annual service performed on your AC unit at least once a year, the drain should be cleaned during this service. However, you can clean the drain periodically during the cooling season to prevent clogs.

To clean the drain, using boiling water to clear the PVC or drain tubing is usually all that is needed. You can check with your HVAC service or your AC manual to see if a cleaning solution or bleach water option is recommended.

If a drain clog does occur, you want to ensure that your AC shuts off and does not overflow water into your home. Make sure to ask your HVAC service professional about installing an emergency shut-off feature, that will turn off the AC unit if the condensate drain becomes clogged to protect your home from damage.

Posted on behalf of:
ClimateSmith, LLC
1925 Lena Carter Road
Buford, GA 30519
(770) 475-9528

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Cleaning the Evaporator Coil

May 1st, 2012 Posted in Central Air Conditioning
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Most residential central air conditioning systems are “split systems” that have the compressor and condenser coil housed in an outdoor unit which is connected to an evaporator coil inside the home by the coolant lines.  Most heat pumps have a similar set up.

A heat pump or central air conditioning system should be professionally serviced in the spring and fall by an experienced HVAC technician.  Most homeowners don’t have the tools and equipment necessary to perform a full service on a central air conditioning system.  Accordingly, most homeowners should call a professional for air conditioning service and repair.

However, between service calls a homeowner can help keep the system operating efficiently by regularly changing the air filter and by keeping the condenser and evaporator coils clean.  The evaporator coil is located in the ductwork (called the plenum chamber) above the furnace.  If you have a heat pump, the evaporator coil is located in the air handler downstream of the air filter.

If you religiously change your furnace filter (or air filter) and never use anything other than a pleated filter, your evaporator coil will stay clean and free of dust, lint, and other debris.  Unfortunately, most homeowners are a little lax in their furnace filter habits and the evaporator needs to be cleaned occasionally.

In some units, the evaporator cannot be accessed by a homeowner.  In others, you can reach the evaporator through an access panel on the front of the unit.  If your evaporator is easily accessible, clean it carefully with a brush or a vacuum cleaner with a brush attachment.  Remember to turn the power to the unit off before starting and be very careful not to bend any of the soft aluminum fins.

Once your evaporator coil is clean, you can avoid future cleanings by using a high quality pleated air filter and changing it regularly.  Your HVAC technician can help select the right air filter for your system.

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