What is a condensate drain line?

Condensate lines drain excess moisture or condensation from your heating and cooling unit into a condensate pan inside your HVAC unit and routed to the exterior of your home.

Where does the condensation or water come from?

When your A/C is in use, it acts as a dehumidifier that creates an environment on the coil to allow moisture in the air to condense and become collected by the drain pan.

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For high a high efficiency gas furnace , condensation is created as the furnace utilizes more of the heat lost during the venting process. This results in excess moisture within the gas being burnt and condensed inside the vent. This is then drained back to the furnace to be removed.

These systems typically utilize PVC vent to handle the condensation.

What happens if the condensate drain line does not get drained?

Moisture and condensation will continue to buildup within the drain line and can become clogged or will overflow the drain pan. This can cause extensive damage to your home's flooring and to the actual unit itself. 

Can I clean the drain line myself?

The drain line itself is difficult to access as a homeowner, however you can absolutely clear the drain pan yourself. This can be done easily with a shop vac. 

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Look for an opening on the drain pan. Hold the vac hose over the drain pan opening and turn shop vac on for 1-2 minutes to remove as much water as possible. 

If you notice there is a lot of excess water or that the issue persists, please schedule service with a trusted HVAC technician.