How to Route A/C Condensate Lines

Air conditioning systems remove a great deal of humidity from the air in a room through the production of very cold surfaces. When a cool surface is introduced into a warm, moist environment, the moisture will condense on it, and will eventually melt into water. Routing your condensate lines is important to reduce the risk of water damage through flooding in your basement. Some air conditioning systems can produce significant amounts of condensate water, which must be disposed of appropriately.

Air conditioning unit
Flexible water piping (same diameter as the condensate output nozzle)
Floor drain
Pipe retention brackets

Instructions

- 1
  Disconnect the electricity from the air conditioner unit.
- 2
  Locate your air conditioner's evaporator coil. This is the element of your air conditioning system that becomes cold before air is passed over it. Under the coil will be a condensate collection pan with a drain nozzle.
- 3
  Connect a length of hose to the drain nozzle.
- 4
  Route this hose toward the nearest drain plug in the floor so the water can flow freely through this pipe to the drain. Make sure there is a pipe slope of no less than 1/8 inch per foot (1 percent) to prevent stagnation in the condensate line.
- 5
  Secure the pipe in place using pipe retention brackets of an appropriate pipe diameter. These will either screw into wooden surfaces, or may bolt onto metal surfaces. Install only as many as are required to secure the pipe to a hard surface to ensure the pipe is not dislodged from the drain. If the pipe is not exposed to passageways, bracketing it may not be essential.

How to Figure Slope in a Roof

Ideas on How to Remodel a Manufactured Home

Remodeling Plans