Talk of The Villages Florida - Air Conditioner Question

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Quote:

Originally Posted by ctmurray (Post 1831224)

Just last night I discovered that drain tube had backed up and was leaking water on the garage floor. The tech came out and cleaned it out. He said a fungus had grown in the tube and this results in a swollen organic plug. His suggestion was 1x per week for 4 weeks to have me pour in a 50/50 solution of bleach and water. The goal is to kill all the fungus still in the tube. We to had the system tested 2x per year and they clean out the tube at that time, but just with a water flush. So it appears this tube requires more than the 2x visits per year.

No-one collects the water discharged outside?
Probably wasting up to 5 gallons each and every day. That 'distilled water' is useful to top up auto radiator, windshield washer, hand watering and many other things. Also, adding bleach, or vinegar or whatever else is almost useless if you flush it out immediately. Turn off the a/c and go out to lunch. When you turn it back on check your outside 'collection container. If you see a brownish mush you'll know you got it done. . . .

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixsonci (Post 1831013)

I've lived here for 6 years and have had my A/C maintained twice a year and never has it been mentioned to me that I need to add a gallon of water into the little tube on the unit inside the garage until now?

My last cleaning last month the technician told me I should do this? A whole gallon down that little tube?? Do any of you do this and is it correct? Does it matter if it's hot, warm or cold water?

I was told to pour a qt. of water with some Dawn dish soup in it at the furnace to keep bacteria from blowing in the house.

YES that little tube should be kept clean

I was originally told to add a drop of Dawn in the water and to add it to a gallon of water. Then I was told water and vinegar. The last tech told me water only because Dawn or vinegar water could potentially get suck up into the works. Doesn’t sound logical but who knows. The idea is to make sure that the pipe never gets clogged. You don’t want the condensation tube backing up into your home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labanz (Post 1831286)

Nice to read all of the comments everyone has posted on this subject. As an Air Conditioning contractor I want to first state that maintenance on your system only needs to be done once a year if the system is completely cleaned and checked properly. It usually takes me 2 hours to complete. For those that do not do maintenance, if you have an air handler with heat pump if you were to see what has accumulated inside your air handler you would probably change your mind.
As for the drain line cleaning, a cup of bleach down the line and 1/2 hour later followed in a 1/2 or 1 gallon with hot (not boiling) water was what I recommended for almost 40 years. Now, dur to environmental concerns we have changed to vinegar. I recommended to do every time the filter is changed. Here in the villages with the large media filters, it’s normal for every 3 to 6 months.
When I do a maintenance cleaning for my customers I also add a safe cleaner to the line and at the end of the service I pressurize the drain with nitrogen and blow out. I then add a gallon of water to the line.
For the rest of you doing something else, at least you are doing something to help keep it flowing.
Techs will many times say and do something they feel is better than what their companies have told them. Just realize it’s their opinion and not the companies recommendation.
I suggest you get involved and watch what you tech does while he is at your house. Be sure he is taking steps to properly clean the check that drain line to prevent water damage or the ac to stop.

Thanks for your insight. I agree that it should take about 2 hours. On my Carrier unit, in order to access and thoroughly clean the air handler and the evaporator coil, you would need to remove about a dozen screws, two metal panels, and several strips of HVAC silver tape that seal the seams to be airtight. After cleaning, you would need to replace the panels and reseal the unit with new tape. Some HVAC technicians may do that work, but I don't think it is typical for them to disassemble the unit and clean it. If you are paying someone to do it, I would suggest that you take a photo of your unit before the technician comes, so the you can verify if he actually removed the panels and re-taped the unit. Or, watch him take the unit apart. But, without taking the unit apart, the only thing he could do would be to remove the filter and spray a foam cleaner on the underside of the evaporator coil. He could not access the fan unit.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dana1963 (Post 1831015)

It’s to clean out drain line add a little bleach this helps dissolve and clean out crud. The drain line should be exposed by your A/C unit outside

I just had my first A/C yearly maintenance (new house) done by Munn's and he told me to use very hot water once a month and no vinegar or bleach (which I had heard from others). I leave a funnel out there and then slowly pour a gallon of hot water from the tap. That's it.

This is a drain tube for the AC unit. If it becomes clogged the AC unit shuts off to prevent flooding inside the garage or the house. DO NOT USE bleach or boiling water because it weakens the glue and the plastic pipe. Warm water prevents clogs in the pipe. The water drains next to the AC unit outside.

Our A/C guy says: 2 cups white vinegar every 60 days. It cleans out build up residue in the line from the A/C to outside. I keep the reminder on my iPhone calendar so it’s easy to remember.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mixsonci (Post 1831013)

NOT hot water!
See all of these responses posted.
Good info !

I've been told to put a cup of vinegar down each month Or bleach. I forget which one because I don't do it. I have a float switch that will shut the unit off if the water in the condenser Pan gets too high.Then I can clean the outside tube drain with my wet back.My unit was 3 years old now and I haven't done any maintenance on it. If you pay in for twice a year maintenance they should suck out that drain line each time for you.

I worked in the HVAC industry in Miami for 40 yearts. 60% of the service calls involved a plugged drain. Alittle bleach is a good idea if you put it in the drain line. It won't harm your a/c as long as you don't put it in the drain pan inside the airhandling unit. I checked the link to the drain king. great idea but make sure you insert it enough so that the water doesn't run into your a/c unit.
Could be messy.

Use hot water from the faucet. I add skittle bleach with it as the point is to remove algae and mildew and mold that can build up in the drain. I have a close friend who just had $20,000 plus damage to their home because this drain line clogged and spilled over into their home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 1831063)

Here is a link to the Drain King 345, on Amazon for $12. You stick the rubber end into the condensate drain line and connect a garden hose to it. It will flush out your condensate line way better then bleach or vinegar, and you can see the water coming out the other end.

Robot Check

I read this and thought I could use this with a hose connected to my water heater so I could kill two birds with one stone when I drain my water heater. However now I understand that using hot water might not be a good idea.

The other problem I have is that the last time I had my AC serviced (and it was for a blocked drain line which had water pouring out of the side of the unit) the technician couldn't find the other end of the drain line so maybe this will actually expose that hidden end. Worth a try I guess.

BTW - For what it's worth this technician said flushing with plan water was adequate.

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredguy123 (Post 1831063)

What a great idea and tool. A/C companies should use these and also tell homeowners about this. Thanks for the tip. I have had my drain line cleaned twice by a/c company even though I was using the vinegar and hot water.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JGVillages (Post 1831030)

Use about a cup of white vinegar once a month

I also add 1 cup of Vinegar on the 1st of each month.