Why Vinegar is Perfect for Cleaning Your AC’s Drain Line
Emily With mountains of information on how harsh chemicals in cleaning products can be on our health, many homeowners are looking for greener ways to keep their homes clean. Vinegar has long been held as a safe all-purpose cleaner, great for cleaning anything from tile floors to windows. But did you know vinegar is also a great way to clean your air conditioner? When it comes to keeping your air conditioner’s drain line clear of clogs, a mere cup of vinegar can make a huge difference. Learn more about how this healthy cleaning product alternative can keep your AC running smoothly, without putting your family’s health at risk.
The Importance of a Clean AC Drain Line
We all know that parts of our air conditioners can become dirty from time to time, clogged with dirt, dust and other debris. However, one component of our air conditioning systems that often goes neglected is the drain line. The drain line is a pipe connected to the drain pan, which collects excess moisture caused by condensation on the evaporator coil. This moisture travels from the drain pan into the drain line where it is them removed to the outside of your home.
Because of the moist environment, your drain line is susceptible to bacteria and algae growth, which can build up and cause a clog. A blockage can compromise the overall performance of your system, minimizing efficiency and comfort, so to prevent damage, proper maintenance is necessary. That’s where vinegar comes in handy.
How to Keep Your Drain Line Clean With Vinegar
Pouring a cup of vinegar down your drain line each month is a great way to prevent clogs and blockages from occurring in the first place. Just remove the PVC cap on the top of the pipe and slowly pour the vinegar down. You can even pour another cup into your drain pan as an added preventive measure.
If your drain line has already become clogged, vinegar likely won’t be able to unclog it all its own. However, once you’ve used a flexible wire brush to clean out the pipe, you can use vinegar to eliminate the leftover debris that you were not able to reach with the brush. Vinegar’s acidic properties will prevent new bacteria and algae from growing in the future.
Follow the step-by-step directions in the video below and check out this help blog for more information on how to clean your air conditioner’s condensate drain line with vinegar!
Contact A Plus Air Conditioning for AC Maintenance
A monthly cup of vinegar can go a long way in keeping your AC running smoothly, but there’s no better way to keep your air conditioner running at its best than with regular preventive maintenance from A+ Air Conditioning and Refrigeration. When one of our technicians performs preventive maintenance on your AC, they’ll clean, lubricate and tune all necessary parts to make sure you’re getting the most out of your system all year long.
Give us a call today at 352-608-5019 or schedule an appointment online!