In older window units, they'll usually be located on the bottom of the outside part of the unit, fairly visible. In newer units with a drain pan, the drain holes are often closer together, since the pan drains through a single hole in its bottom.
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.
Most modern window air conditioners create condensation which drips down to the pan on the bottom of the unit. There are no drain holes or plugs used to remove the water as was the case with older style window AC units. When the water builds up it is distributed by the fan sling and thrown up against the condenser.
Clean the drain line: Use a long, flexible brush or a wire hanger to clean the inside of the drain line. Insert the brush or hanger into the line and gently move it back and forth to remove any debris or buildup. Flush with water: After cleaning the drain line, flush it with water to remove any remaining debris.
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.
But if you don't, it could do water damage and allow mold to grow all around your AC unit. This mold can cause health complications and damage to flooring, walls, etc.
Sometimes, you keep searching for a hole, but there's no sign of it. It's because some window ACs don't have a drain hole, and some units have their holes plugged. These window systems don't require a hole because they reuse the collected water. They have a slinger ring instead that is attached to a fan blade.
Check if the drain line is clogged or blocked. This is often the main reason why an AC unit stops releasing water. To unclog it, use a wet-dry vacuum to suction out any debris or buildup inside the drain line.
Most of the time, the sewer line will be sticking out of the ground and easy to spot; however, overgrown landscaping or objects close to the house could hide the cap. Or, you could have a buried sewer cleanout. Try searching on the side of the home that is closest to the main floor bathroom.
Common condensate issues
Common ways to identify if your condensate pipe is blocked are listening for an unusual gurgling sound when the boiler attempts to start, or the boiler may repeatedly 'lock out' or stop working and display an EA code.
You'll find a white PVC or copper pipe located near your outdoor unit—this is where the drain line ends. Near your indoor unit, you'll find a vertical PVC pipe with a cap on it, which acts as the access point for the condensate drain.
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.
Even if you've noticed it before, rest assured, every central air conditioning system has a drainage line. Also called the condensate drain, the AC drainage line plays an essential role in removing condensation.
It's possible in some weather conditions that the air is dry enough not to condense any water on the coil, and it's not necessarily just when humidity is low. It's all about dew point. If the dew point is below 55°F, it's likely you'll have little to no condensate.
Signs Your AC Drain Line is Clogged
Puddles of Water: When your drain line is clogged, a common sign is standing water around your AC unit. If your condensate pan can't empty because of a clog, then the water will collect outside around the unit or near the indoor unit. This is the most obvious sign of a problem.
AC is Producing Warm Air
One of the surefire signs of a clogged refrigerant line is if you notice the AC producing warm air when you expect cold air. The warm air is caused by a problem with the proper circulation of the refrigerant fluid, which is instrumental in cooling the air.