What is the purpose of the condensate drain line?

What is the purpose of the condensate drain line?

Your condensate line keeps moisture from building up inside your home and, specifically, inside your HVAC unit. Moisture is the enemy of any functioning appliance as it can lead to mildew, mold spores and corrosion.

Where is the condensate drain?

Your air conditioner has a condensate drain line that runs from the indoor unit to the outside of your home. You’ll find a white PVC or copper pipe located near your outdoor unit—this is where the drain line ends.

What is the condensate drain line?

The AC condensate drain line removes the water released when the evaporator in your AC unit converts refrigerant from a liquid to a gas. (Learn more about your HVAC system here). Over time, algae and other muck can build up. This may lead ot an AC drain line clog if you don’t maintain your AC unit regularly.

How does condensate drain line work?

How a condensate drain pan works is by collecting this water as it drips from your air conditioner’s evaporator coils. The condensate pan is attached below the evaporator coils. It must be correctly fitted to catch moisture without leaks. Moisture flows to the condensate drain line and out of your home.

Does a condensate drain need a vent?

In an AC drain, the condensate pan is the vent. No additional vent pipe is required. The line should continually slope down to the outside.

How do I know if my condensate line is clogged?

A clogged AC drain line symptoms include:

1. Musty, moldy smell near your indoor unit or in air from the registers/vents.
2. Standing water near the indoor unit.
3. Water damage in areas near the indoor unit.
4. AC system is not cooling your home.
5. AC system shuts down or doesn’t turn on.

What happens if condensate line is clogged?

When your drain line clogs, the water that your air conditioner produces has nowhere to go. Eventually, a completely blocked drain line will cause the water in your drain pan to overflow, resulting in potentially catastrophic damage to your home.

How do you keep a condensate line from clogging?

You can prevent a clogged AC drain by performing routine cleaning. By pouring a ¼ cup of vinegar into your AC’s drain line, you will kill any mold, algae, mildew, and other forms of bacteria or fungi, preventing it from forming a buildup and causing a clog. Repeat this monthly for the best results.

Can you pour bleach down AC drain line?

Just pour a cup of bleach in the drain line’s access opening near the indoor air conditioning unit. This will kill any algae, mold or mildew that has formed in the pipe. If the condensate drain line is clogged, you will need to use a wet-dry vacuum or a special pump to unclog the line.

How much does it cost to unclog AC drain?

Clogged Drain Line To flush the line or repair it can cost anywhere from $75-$250. In the case that the evaporator coil needs replacing, you are would pay between $400 to $950.

How do you pour vinegar in an AC drain line?

Flush the drain line with distilled white vinegar. Slowly pour one cup of distilled white vinegar into the drain line’s opening and let the solution sit for 30 minutes. Alternatives to vinegar include hot water, peroxide, or bleach.

Does vinegar kill mold?

White vinegar is a mildly acidic product that cleans, deodorizes, and disinfects. It can also kill 82% of mold species, including black mold, on porous and non-porous surfaces. You can use it safely on most surfaces, and its offensive odor goes away quickly. Pour undiluted white vinegar into a spray bottle.

Is bleach or vinegar better for AC drain line?

We recommend using vinegar instead of a bleach solution because bleach can be harmful to your AC system if your drain line has copper tubing. Using vinegar will not damage your system. Spilling bleach can also ruin carpet or clothing, whereas vinegar will just leave a strong odor.

How often should you put vinegar in your AC?

There is no exact amount you need to add, but around ¼ a cup should be fine. – Repeat every month for a clean and bacteria free drain line!

Where do I put vinegar in my AC unit?

All it takes is 1/4 cup of vinegar, and a couple minutes of your time:

1. Find your drain line. It should be near your drain pan, located near the air handler.
2. Remove the cap.
3. Pour in 1/4 cup of distilled vinegar.
4. Place the cap back on the drain line.

Can AC drain into sewer?

Most condensate drains tie into the home’s sewer line and are equipped with a U-shaped trap to keep sewer gas odors from entering the HVAC system. If you notice a noxious odor coming from the supply vents when the blower is running, a dry drain trap may be the culprit.

Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar?

White and distilled are types of vinegar. They differ fundamentally in their acetic acid content. White, also known as spirit vinegar, has 5% to 20% acetic acid. Distilled vinegar, on the other hand, is better for cooking, flavouring, food preservation and as a natural home remedy.

What does vinegar do to laundry?

Vinegar works by loosening zinc salts or aluminum chloride, which means that dirt won’t stick to your clothing. In addition to this, vinegar has antibacterial properties. Washing your clothing with vinegar will leave your clothes odorless — and no, they won’t smell like vinegar.