HVAC Contractors Hate Me For Sharing This Secret

I had to call for service about just this thing many years ago (2003) . The technician who came out invited me to watch every step of his process, and made sure that I understood that I could do this preventively in the future. For his hour of time he only charged me $35, which was pretty remarkable, considering he also gave me valuable training that has saved me quite a bit over the years. I was very sad when his company sold off his customer list when he retired. Now the company is one of the "advertises on the evening local news" HVAC companies, and they are in the business of selling new units at every opportunity. FORTUNATELY... I married into a family that has a relative who is co-owner of an HVAC company, and he's both young and honest. Your videos are top notch and very useful!

Like the content, just retired from hvac business of 40 years. Only 1 suggestion I noticed over the years, I would not use vinegar in the condensate for 2 reasons. 1 - it will eat thru the glue joints if used quarterly 2 - it acts as a solvent or etching liquid with copper piping/solder joints. Great information for the general public, I commend you for it.

I have two units in the attic and I am a senior citizen. Today I bought a shop vac and there were some fine particles of yellow dust when I checked. Your video has convinced me that by doing this once a year will keep me from climbing ladders. Thank you!

Here in Houston, the condenser is in the attic and the main condensation drain line runs into the top of a vent stack. You might hear it dripping in the plumbing inside the wall while it's running but it won't be visible outside. If the main line is obstructed, the overflow pan will start filling. This typically drains out under the eave. If you see water dripping from a pipe under the eave it's time to check for obstructions upstairs.

Yes! Here in FL. My son uses a shop vac to regularly suction out the condensate drain. Fixes it every time!

Excellent video that most people just plain don't know about. This is the kind of stuff that evrey home owner needs to know. Thank you for sharing

Thank you for a great video. I have 4 units and have started doing some of the cleaning myself. I really appreciate your saying not to put pressure through the lines as I was thinking why not do that instead of being on the receiving end and sucking it out. Definitely won’t do it. Really appreciate!

When I ran my drain line, I used electrical PVC “sweep” elbows so I would be able, if necessary, to push a fish tape or small snake through to clear any clogs. As an alternative, I could use a vacuum to pull a string through, then use the string to pull a foam “mouse” through. So far there hasn’t been any problems with my drain. Proper planning prevents problems.

Great information, a little maintenance on this condensate line can minimize a lot of downtime on your AC unit. They always get plugged up at the worst times!

Here in the Midwest where we have basements, our AC condensate tube runs to the sump basin and eventually gets pumped outside the house. And my gravity fed tube actually backed up a few years ago causing water to pool on the floor. So it's always a good idea to periodically inspect that tube for proper drainage.

I use painters tape to seal the hose end to the drain pipe to suction. I also ziptie fine mesh screen over the drain pipe end to prevent insects from entering it.

Out here on the West Coast we just put in an inexpensive condensation collector next to the HVAC unit inside that has a reservoir that collects the condensation and then when it reaches about an inch and a half deep it automatically activates the pump and it blows it out through a copper pipe into the garden. This is inexpensive and works a heck of a lot better than depending upon gravity.

My condensate line drains into my washer drain inside my house so luckily I never have to worry about this, nor a messy puddle next to my outside unit.

Thanks!, you’ve helped me so many times. My only regret is I don’t have an HVAC in town with your honesty.

Thank you the valuable info. I’ll be checking mine out soon. Thanks again!!

i had a clogged condensate drain with a lot of bends for my drain pipe and the vacuum method only got some of the gunk out. it was still clogged and my drain pan continued to overflow. i got the idea of pouring some chlorine into the pan and it started foaming a lot. after letting it sit for about 15 min, i came back and there was lots of gunk floating in the pan. i continued to wait and the clog eventually cleared itself. i now use those tabs you recommend and hope to never have to deal with a clogged condensate drain again.

When they built my house the hvac guy ran the drain down to the slab and cut it off flush with the outside wall before they stuccoed it. We were in the desert an it was usually dry but one August it was humid, the water backed up an shorted out the blower motor. I was able to measure carefully, chiseled out the stucco and found the pipe first try. A coupler & short piece of pipe plus a small piece of screen to keep the bugs out and all was good.

Thank you just appreciate your honesty and making our HVAC more efficiently n helping my budget as a 75 year woman.thxs

Thank you. I'm going to change my air filter right now.

6:09 Hola 👋 señor Dave I’m glad you made this video cause one big problem that I noticed when I was working in remodeling was that the drain pan in the attic the pvc pipe got clogged with some debris and the drain pan started collecting the water that can’t drain out and then the pan started dripping onto the ceiling and then water damage and then chaos 😫I had to go in the attic remove all the wet insulation and work around the AC guys then cut out the sheet rock ceiling dry out all the joists and put new insulation and install new Sheetrock tape and bed texture and paint and “ just like nothing ever happened “👀😳I hope your followers will check this to avoid the problem of a huge problem…Gracias!!! for helping us with your knowledge I hope you have a great day and a great weekend…Saludos!!