Maintaining the AC drain, also called the condensate drain, for your home’s AC system is vital to giving it a long life. If you don’t want to replace your HVAC system prematurely, it needs to be maintained properly. This will also allow it to run more efficiently, saving some cash on the electric bill.
Let’s learn more about the AC drain and what you can do to maintain it.
What Does an AC Drain Do?
Your HVAC system is designed to pull humidity out of the air inside your home. This makes it much more comfortable for you and your family, especially on hot Summer days. The moisture from the air condenses in the AC drain, where it is removed from the air conditioning unit and deposited in the grass or soil away from the unit.
Why Maintain Your AC Drain?
If the AC drain gets clogged, it can cause water to back up into the air conditioning unit. This can create problems anywhere from higher than normal humidity in the house to electrical components in the unit shorting out. To avoid any issues, the AC drain must be cleared regularly, even if you take precautions to keep it from clogging.
3 Tips to Maintain an AC Drain
If you’re ready to learn more about keeping your AC drain clear and functioning properly, we have 3 tips to help you do just that. Implement each of these to give your HVAC system a longer life and make your home more comfortable for all.
Tip #1: Replace Air Filter Often
Your air filter helps to keep dust from ending up in the AC unit and eventually the drain. If dust is allowed to pass through a dirty filter, this dust will combine with the water condensing in the AC drain to create a thick substance that can start to clog. The clog, as it sits, can grow mold, mildew, and algae, which can be unsafe.
Tip #2: Use a Properly Rated Filter
It isn’t just enough to replace the filter often. Air filters for home AC units are rated according to their Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, or MERV rating. The higher the rating, the more dust will be stopped by the filter. It is recommended to use a filter with a MERV rating of 8 or higher to help keep the AC drain clear.
Tip #3: Clean Regularly and Properly
Even if you haven’t already noticed evidence of a clog forming or a complete clog, you should clean the drain regularly to keep it from happening. While it used to be advised that a 50/50 solution of water and either vinegar or bleach was a good cleaner, it is now recommended to use only boiling water. Pour boiling water carefully down the AC drain until it flows clear and steady out the other end.
Prevent Problems with Your AC
You can help prevent the need for more extensive repairs or even the inconvenience of high humidity inside the house, possibly leading to water damage. Show Plumbing can help you not only maintain your AC drain, but also help with any repairs necessary caused by a clogged one.