Do you know how to clean the drain line of your own air conditioner? If you fail to clean certain parts of your air conditioner, it can compromise its effectiveness. That can end up costing you more in terms of repair and maintenance. Not only that, it can cost you more as your air conditioner consumes more energy.

If you look at your air conditioner, you will notice a dripping line in the outside unit. This is called the condensate drain. When the evaporator coil of the AC unit produces condensation, the water should not stay inside the unit. It should drain outside. This is coursed through the drain pipe.

It is important to clean this because it can cause mold and algae to grow inside the AC unit. This can compromise the quality of the air that circulates your home. It will also cause the air to smell. That can result in respiratory problems for everyone inside the house.

Given that, you need to make sure the drain line is clean all the time. It only involves a simple process that will not really require a professional. If you know your AC unit, you should be able to clean it yourself.
Before we dwell on the steps to clean it, you need to get the materials together. You only need to get a vacuum, funnel, distilled vinegar, and rags.

To clean the drain line of the air conditioner, you need to turn off the HVAC system first. Make sure both the thermostat and breaker are off.

Once it is off, you need to look for the condensate pan. For indoor air handlers, this is usually under the AC unit. Most of the time, this is covered by an access panel. You need to remove this so you can access the pan. If the drain pan has water in it, that is an indication that the drain is clogged.

Get the rag and soak up the liquid. Once it is gone, you can use the vacuum to remove any dirt or debris that is clogging the dripping line. The suction should be able to clean the inside. Surgical tubing can also be used to clear any blockage. Take out the pan and clean it with soap. Rinse it with clean water.

You can cover on end of the pipe and run the vacuum on the other end to suck out any dirt inside. You can see the dirt and debris that had been clogging the line when you open the vacuum canister.

Use the distilled vinegar and flush the drain. If there is a smell, you can use the peroxide to remove the debris inside. Hot water and dishwashing liquid can also be an alternative to the vinegar. Let the solution soak for 30 minutes before you flush it out with water. If the water is running smoothly on the other end of the drain line, then everything is clean.

You can now reassemble everything. Wait a few moments before you turn on the AC unit.

Try checking the pan after a few days to see if the water is still accumulating. If yes, then there is something wrong with the drain line. You need to get in touch with a professional to take a look at the AC unit.