A residential HVAC system is a huge investment. In addition to providing your family with comfort and warmth for between 15 and 20 years, your residential HVAC units are also responsible for safeguarding the indoor air quality of your home year-round.
In this article, we’ll discuss the importance of AC drain lines to the overall performance of your residential HVAC system, as well as what to do when these important components become clogged.
Contents
- What Are AC Drain Lines?
- How Do I Know if My Drain Lines are Clogged?
- What to Do When AC Drain Lines Become Clogged
What Are AC Drain Lines?
In your home, your air conditioners are supposed to absorb the heat and humidity throughout the space. Once inside the machinery, the moisture from the humidity condenses on metal coils and is collected in a drip pan before being discharged through a drain or condensate line made of PVC pipe.
Essentially, AC drain lines function to keep your home at a suitable temperature year-round by regulating the flow of liquid throughout the unit.
How Do I Know if My Drain Lines are Clogged?
Because the drain line is an enclosed and wet place, materials such as mold, mildew, and sludge are attracted to these spaces. What’s more, dirt, debris, and even pests can find their way into AC drain lines. All of these objects could clog the line with failure to drain regularly. Water will continue to build up in your condenser pan if the obstruction is not removed promptly.
The following are the most typical signs that you may have a clogged drain line:
- poor overall temperature control
- HVAC components are dripping fluids
- power controls are functionally incorrectly
- energy bills are higher than usual
What to Do When AC Drain Lines Become Clogged
A clog in your unit’s condensate drain and tray is simple to remove when caught early.
Do not use bleach or other household cleaners to clean your condensate line. Only clean condensate pipes with solutions designed exclusively for this purpose. A mix of vinegar and distilled water will help eradicate and prevent algae and bacteria growth if you prefer an all-natural option.
For more complicated AC drain line clogs, your residential HVAC system may need to undergo an inspection by a professional technician. To arrange for residential HVAC maintenance for your equipment, contact the Xtraire team today!