How to Keep Your A/C Condensate Line Flowing Freely

A clogged A/C condensate line is one of the most common problems homeowners have with their heating and cooling systems. It’s also one of the easiest problems to avoid. Cleaning out and maintaining your A/C condensate line is an item you should be sure your HVAC tech has on his annual or semi-annual maintenance checklist.

Your air conditioner has a condensate pan that collects moisture as it drips from the evaporator coil in your indoor unit. A gravity-feed pipe or an automatic condensate pump keeps the pan drained, so it doesn’t let water overflow into your home. The pan, pump and drain pipe, which carries the condensate out of your home, can get clogged with algae and other deposits over time.

Your A/C produces a lot of condensate in our humid Coastal Bend climate, so keeping your condensate draining system clear is especially important. An overflowing condensate pan can cause water damage inside your home, which can be expensive to repair.

As part of a routine maintenance check, your HVAC pro will clean your A/C condensate line and make sure your system is draining properly. This process will include:

• Empty and clean your condensate pan. Any algae scum that’s growing in your pan can be cleaned out with a mild cleaning solution.
• Check the condensate pump if your system has one. The automatic controls will be tested for correct operation and your pump will be cleaned as needed.
• Ensure that your A/C condensate drain line is clean and open. If the line is clogged, your technician will clean it out with water or compressed air. If necessary, a plumbing snake can be used to clean the pipe from the T at the evaporator coil all the way to the outside exit point.
• Service your drain line.  Routinely pouring a mixture of 1/4 Vinegar and 3/4 water down the drain line can help to kill the algae in it and prevent a build up.

Contact CCAC to set up a routine maintenance check for your Coastal Bend HVAC system. Regular service calls once or twice per year can prevent much more expensive emergency repairs in the future.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Corpus Christi, Texas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about condensate lines and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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