Where is the condensate drain pan

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If you have any questions please don't hesitate to give us a call. When warm air passes over extremely cold evaporator coils, condensation forms and drips into a drain pan below. Think of the water droplets that form on a cold drink in summer. Unfortunately, sometimes condensate drain pans and lines can get damaged or clogged and cause quite a mess. If water is pooling around your indoor air handler, you probably have an AC drainage problem. Left unattended, the water will continue its downward trajectory through ceilings, walls, and floors.

Some AC units have an overflow float switch that will turn the air conditioner off if it detects a condensate backup. To prevent the common occurrence of system shutdowns and condensation leaks around your air conditioner, take some time to inspect the drain pan and condensate drain line.

The overflow drain pan, located underneath your indoor evaporator coils, catches condensate that forms when warm air passes over cold evaporator coils. This condensation then flows into the PVC condensate drain pipe to be directed outdoors. Small holes and even cracks can be patched up with water sealant or epoxy glue.

If the crack is small enough, you can use epoxy glue. If there is any significant damage, contact an HVAC technician to replace the entire pan. Another big cause of drain pan failure is clogs in the waste line. This is usually attributed to an overfull air filter. This is a big problem because the condensate drain pan is shallow. The drain pan was made to be constantly cycling water, not holding still water. When a line is backed up, water can overflow into the furnace.

A clogged condensate line, a cracked condensate drain pan, or a soggy furnace can lead to many unwanted issues. This includes:. Water gathering anywhere in your HVAC system can present a serious threat to the health and safety of your system and your home.

If you suspect this, call an HVAC professional as soon as possible. Our HVAC experts are ready to help with any question or concern you may have. Simply call the number at the top of the screen or click here to request an appointment online. What is a Condensate Drain Pan? Search for:. View Larger Image. As this process repeats, water results from the heat transfer. After just a moment, the glass is covered in beads of water. In the same way, tiny water droplets collect.

Water slips down the sides of the coil and right into the condensate pan fitted below. This process continues until the air conditioning is turned off. To safely remove excess water, the condensate drain pan is installed to catch water that drips off the coil.

Then, from the pan a condensate line drain hose moves water out of the unit to the main condensate riser of the building. Emptying to an external location. Unfortunately, the condensate drain pan can fail.

In this case, water also spills over the edges of the condensate drain pan and damages the area around your HVAC system. Due to how a condensate drain pan works, it experiences wear and tear just like other HVAC components.

Damage allows water to leak. An obvious sign of a damaged drain pan is water or water damage around your HVAC unit. Prevent water damage to your home and HVAC equipment and ensure your air conditioner runs properly this summer with these tips to protect how a condensate drain pan works.

To provide the best care for your condensate pan, take the following steps:. Our NATE-certified technicians perform the repairs your system needs to keep condensation moving out of your house. Understanding a Condensate Drain Pan During operation, heating and cooling equipment generates condensation. In a vertical application, the furnace or air handler are in an upright position. In a vertical application, the evaporator coils are located at the top of the unit, so you are able to find the condensate drain pan just below.

In a horizontal application, the furnace or air handler is installed on its side. This installation application is typically seen when the unit needs to be placed in an attic, due to the limited space available in this area depending on roof pitch. Airflow moves from side to side instead of up and down when the unit is installed this way. Find the evaporator coils located beside the furnace or air handler near the return air ducts, and below it you see the condensate drain pan.