How To Locate Your AC Drain Pan. The AC drain pan is located in the indoor unit, underneath the evaporator coils, usually on the same side as the air intake. There is a fixed drain pan under the coils and an overflow drain pan below that.
Your A/C unit drip pan is a plain metal pan located under the evaporator coils. It is also referred to as a drain pan. This part of your home air conditioner unit is designed to stop water from seeping inside the A/C system, which could cause major damage.
Once you have unplugged the AC, remove the access panel so that you can see the drain pan situated inside the air handler. Note that air conditioners usually have two drain pans. One is permanently affixed to the air handler, and it is located higher up from the auxiliary one that is easy to remove.
How do I find my AC drain line? Your AC has a condensate drain line running from the indoor to the outdoor unit. You'll find the end of the drain line somewhere near the outdoor unit (usually a copper or white PVC pipe). As for the access point, look for a vertical pipe with a cap near the indoor unit.
Regardless of the type of air conditioning unit you have in your home – a central unit or an interior room air conditioner – it will have at least one, and often two, drip pans. The primary AC drip pan, as noted above, is installed on the coil itself.
To unclog an AC drain line, turn off the power to the unit. Locate the drain line and use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out the clog. Flush the line with water using a garden hose or cup of water. Check and clean the drain pan under the indoor unit.
The pan is under the evaporator coil. You can try suction on the drain line with a shop vac.
If you have a secondary condensate drain pan, replacing it can be a fairly simple task, but every unit is different. If you have to disconnect anything more than the power to the unit, it's probably best to call in a professional.
Since all your drains lead to one central pipe, find a pipe you know is a drain, like a toilet or sink line. Follow the pipe until it ties into a larger pipe. Follow the larger pipe until it exits your basement or crawlspace. That drain pipe leads to your sewer line.
How much does it cost to replace a drip pan on an AC unit? The cost to replace a drip pan on an AC unit ranges from $200 to $600. Typically, the drip pan is part of the evaporator coil so most of the time we need to change the coil as well. That can cost over $2000.
An inch of water in your air conditioner's drain pan is normal and expected. After all, it's designed to collect condensation from the evaporator coil.
Remove the rust: Use a wire brush or sandpaper to remove the rust from the drip pan. Make sure to wear protective gloves and a mask to avoid inhaling any rust particles. Clean the drip pan: Once you've removed the rust, clean the drip pan thoroughly using a mild detergent and warm water.
The AC drain line is located inside your home at the indoor HVAC unit. Your split system air conditioner or heat pump system consists of the outdoor condenser unit and the indoor evaporator coil, housed in the air handler or next to the furnace.
Over time, this line can become clogged with algae, dirt, dust, and debris. When this happens, the line backs up and overflows from the drain pan, causing the water to leak into your home. You can unclog the drain line by removing the debris with a wet/dry vac.
The AC drain pan is located in the indoor unit, underneath the evaporator coils, usually on the same side as the air intake. There is a fixed drain pan under the coils and an overflow drain pan below that.
You can prevent a clogged AC drain by performing routine cleaning. By pouring a ¼ cup of vinegar into your AC's drain line, you will kill any mold, algae, mildew, and other forms of bacteria or fungi, preventing it from forming a buildup and causing a clog. Repeat this monthly for the best results.
Clogs in the condensate drain line cause moisture to back up in the air conditioner, which can be damaging. The repair cost to have the drain line flushed runs between $75 to $250. If replacement is needed because the condensate drain line is damaged, a new condensate drain line is usually only around $20.
Turn off the air conditioner, and turn off power to the unit at the main switch. Remove the access panel. Inspect the drain pan with your flashlight, checking the condition of your drain pan for any cracks and holes, debris, or obvious clogging.
If there is minimal damage caused by the clogged condensate drain line, you can consider unclogging an AC drain line yourself. However, if your AC system stops working or you notice mold or mildew odors coming from the unit and vents, the AC drain line clog may be causing more serious issues.
The Cost of AC Drain Pan Replacement
On average, homeowners can expect to pay about $30 to $150 for the actual drain pan, with additional costs for labor ranging from $75 to $150. In total, the cost, including installation, ranges from $100 to $300.
After finding the line, you'll also want to determine where the access points are. There should be one tee located near where the line exits the air handler and also an access point near the end of the line. If the line runs into a floor drain, there should be a tee that comes off the pipe where it enters the drain.
If you notice that your AC doesn't drain water, it may be time to get a new drip pan. If you failed to maintain your unit properly for a long time, the excess moisture has already accumulated standing water in its drip pan. Determining whether or not it can be emptied on your own is crucial to avoid further damage.