Air conditioner drainage: pumps, systems, pipes, pumps and how to clean them

The drain pump or drain pump is one of the most important drainage units of the air conditioner. The design of the pump depends on the type of indoor unit, its location in the room, the configuration of the ceiling and walls, and the acceptable condensate drainage system.

In cassette models, the pump is usually built-in by the manufacturer, but sometimes it is necessary to supplement it with another drain pump for the air conditioner. This happens if there is a large difference in altitude or a large distance between the water outlet and the air conditioner.

There are tricks in the selection of a drainage pump for a floor-to-ceiling or wall-mounted air conditioner. The pump should be small enough, draw water well from the pump located below the level, deliver it to the outlet pipes, and work quietly.

Drainage pumps for air conditioners can be:

• Embedded;
• Separate;
• In bulk;
• Peristaltic.

Drainage pipes for air conditioners

The drainage of the air conditioners consists of drainage pipes. All pipes are mounted hermetically, if the sealant is broken, the humidity in the room will increase, and with it the load on the compressor.

The most common material for air conditioning drain pipes is polystyrene or polypropylene. Hoses must be purchased special, reinforced, which retain their diameter when bent, do not have ribs and protrusions inside. They are laid along with the pipe line, hidden in a box. To the outdoor unit, drain pipes for the air conditioner are routed through the hole in the wall.

How to clean a drain in an air conditioner

Before you clean the drainage in the air conditioner, you need to understand the reasons for its clogging, which may be:

• Illiterate installation of air conditioner drainage;
• The appearance of ice jams;
• Clogging with dust plugs.

The appearance of ice plugs is facilitated by the operation of equipment in frosty conditions.

How to clean the air conditioner drain?

• Without disassembling the indoor module, slowly supply water to the evaporator;
• Disassembling some parts of the module and disconnecting the tubes. The tube is purged, the evaporator is flushed with clean water or a special solution;
• Total disassembly of the indoor module: the pipes are blown out, all parts of the drainage system are washed.

If the simplest cleaning can be carried out by the owner himself, then only masters from the service center can clean the drain pump to the air conditioner and blow the pipes with the help of a compressor.