Periodically checking your air conditioning condensate line is a good idea.
The hotter and more humid our New Jersey weather gets, the more we appreciate the comfort and convenience that air conditioning provides. Not only does the air conditioning system cool your indoor air, it also significantly reduces the humidity inside your home.
Follow along below as we point out reasons to check on your condensate line and what you should do if you notice a problem.
The two main reasons why your condensate line should be checked are to prevent home damage and prevent damage to the air conditioning system itself.
Home damage can occur if the condensate pipe is clogged and leaks resulting in damage to your walls and floors. When the warm air from your home passes over the evaporator coils, the air is cooled. Since cooler air doesn’t hold as much moisture as warmer air does, the extra moisture is extracted out of the air and is gathered as a liquid. This liquid is accumulated in the condensate pipe.
If you have a clogged pipe, the water backs up and overflows into the drain pan. Because this is a quiet process, you might not notice that this is happening until it is too late and damage has already occurred.
Cleaning the condensate line should be a regular part of your air conditioner maintenance. It is something that Celestial Air performs on all air conditionng maintenance service calls. The process begins by extracting any accumulated debris from inside the condensate line. For very stubborn clogs, we use a cleaning agent to dislodge existing blockages and particulate build-up. This also helps prevent future build-ups.
A clogged condensate pipe will undoubtedly cause your air conditioning system to work harder. Over time, overtaxing your system will cause an AC breakdown and loss of any ability to cool down your house. When this happens, the repairs can become expensive. Once your condensate line is completely unblocked, your AC will work again.
This is one reason why we recommend regularly scheduled maintenance for your HVAC system. Preventive work on your condensate line will make sure you have the ability to cool and dehumidify your home as temperatures and humidity rises. If you are uncomfortable with cleaning your condensate line yourself, give us a call at Celestial Air and we’ll send a technician to clean out your condensate line. The technician will also be able to diagnose if something else is going on with your air conditioning system that might cause it to operate inefficiently.
We are always here to help you and your family stay cool and dry all summer long.