September 15, 2016
Over the course of a summer, it’s not uncommon to experience condensate drain issues. A clogged drain harbors mold and bacteria, and if it can’t drain at all, the water can create untold damage to the area around the air handler. All air conditioners condense water out of the air as part of the cooling cycle. When warm indoor air blows over the evaporator coil inside the air handler, the cold refrigerant flowing through it condenses the moisture in the air. The water drips off the coil into a drain pan that sits just below the coil, where it flows into a pipe for drainage. When there is any kind of obstruction, the free flow of water can slow or stop altogether. Water will back up into the drain pan and flood it. Dirty air filters and lack of professional maintenance are the most common causes of condensate drain problems because:
- Dirt enters the air handler and collects in the drain pan and on the evaporator coil. As water condenses on the coil, it pulls the dust and dirt with it that may eventually plug up the drain.
- Mold, algae or biofilms can grow inside the drainpipe that obstruct the flow of water.
- Occasionally, bugs may also enter the pipe for shelter and water.
If your drain has stopped flowing, remove any debris in the drain pan. Check both ends of the pipe and remove any visible blockages, or use a wet-dry vacuum to suction out the pipe. If you can’t reach the blockage, you may need to contact your HVAC technician who can use special tools and chemicals to clear the pipe. It takes far less effort to clear a drainpipe than fix the damage a leaking air conditioner may cause, in both time and money. It’s easy to ignore the condensate drain for your air conditioner, but checking it periodically and having it cleaned professionally avoid the serious problems a clog creates. To learn more, contact Russell’s Heating & Cooling, serving homeowners in the Hampton Roads area of Southeastern Virginia. Our goal is to help educate our customers in Chesapeake, Virginia and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about condensate drains and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Guide or call us at 757-750-1831. Credit/Copyright Attribution: “geralt/Pixabay”
