Air conditioning - a unit with which optimal indoor climate parameters are maintained in the premises. Working in automatic mode, it provides air cooling and heating, dust removal, and in some cases, air exchange with the environment. The principle of operation of the air conditioner is to change the aggregate state of the refrigerant depending on the temperature and pressure in the closed circuit. This process is accompanied by the formation of condensate, for the conclusion of which many models have a special drainage system.
Drainage system functions
The formation and accumulation of a large amount of condensate inside the air conditioning units leads to the flow of water on the facade of the house, as well as on the walls and furniture in the rooms. In addition, the presence of excess moisture inside the device can cause a short circuit in the wiring, which will damage it.
Depending on the selected operating mode, condensate forms on the surfaces of the condenser or evaporator, which gradually accumulates inside the air conditioner. The reason for its appearance is the temperature difference between the refrigerant circulating through the tubes and the air passing through them. In order to avoid excessive accumulation of water, a special condensate drainage system is provided in the device design. It includes a container (pallet) for collecting moisture and drainage tubes, with which condensate is removed from the air conditioner.
Place of tap:
- To the street - the easiest way, implemented in low-cost models of air conditioners. Drainage tubes simply go outside through openings designed for other communications. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of puddles near houses, water leaks on the walls, etc.
- To the sewers - a more complex option, devoid of the shortcomings of the budget option. At the same time, the drainage of the air conditioner into the sewer requires the installation of a water trap (siphon), which will prevent the appearance of an unpleasant odor.
- Using a special drainage pump. This method is used in cases where it is impossible to provide the necessary slope along the entire length of the pipeline. The pump allows you to "raise" the condensate to the required height, from where the condensate from the air conditioner will drain by gravity.
Drainage tubes for air conditioners
The drainage tube of the air conditioner, with the help of which condensate formed inside it is removed from it, is made of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. These materials are not susceptible to water, and products made of them are highly durable. In practice, manufacturers complete air conditioners with two types of reinforced tubes - smooth and corrugated. Smooth tubes are most often found in budget models of air conditioners. Their installation without special fittings is not possible.
Fittings - an element used to form bends when laying pipelines for various purposes.
The use of smooth pipes with fittings for laying a drainage pipeline is advisable in the case when the air conditioner is located in close proximity to the sewer. If the connection point of the pipe to the sewer is at a sufficiently large distance, the use of fittings greatly complicates the installation of the pipeline.
Corrugated tubes are highly flexible and the installation of the drainage pipe can be done without fittings.The drainage hose for the air conditioner, assembled from corrugated tubes, can be bent at any angle, which greatly simplifies the process of laying the pipeline.
It is not recommended to use garden hoses and corrugated sleeves, which are used when laying electric cables, as drainage pipes.
Installation of a condensate drain system
When starting to install the drainage system of the air conditioner, it is first of all necessary to design the entire pipeline laying route. This is especially true in cases where a decision has been made to drain condensate into the sewer or it is not possible to provide the necessary slope along the entire length of the pipeline.
When laying a pipeline to drain condensate from the air conditioner, it is necessary to ensure that the angle of inclination of the horizontal sections is at least 3 °, and the angle of rotation of the pipeline is not more than 45 °.
In addition, all connections are preferably made using fittings, installing them on the sealant.
When installing a water lock at the entrance to the sewer system, it must be taken into account that there must always be standing water in it. Otherwise, an unpleasant smell from the sewer will leak into the room.
In air conditioners, a drainage pump (pump) is often built in. It is one of the most important components of the condensate drainage system. Its design depends on the type of air conditioner and the location in the room. If the pipeline route is characterized by a large elevation between the air conditioner and the condensate drain point, an additional pump must be installed. The choice is made, guided by its ability to draw water from the pump located below.
Major malfunctions
One of the most common malfunctions of any air conditioner is its leakage. Such a defect occurs most often due to clogging of its drainage system. At the same time, the hole in the pallet, designed to drain the condensate, becomes clogged with dust and debris, which brings water flowing into it. As a result, the pan overflows and water begins to flow out, bypassing the drain system.
Disruption of the drainage system occurs for other reasons:
- With insufficient refrigerant in the system, the temperature of the heat exchanger decreases, which leads to the appearance of ice on its surface. Draining water does not fall onto the pallet, but flows to the floor of the room.
- If the air conditioner does not have a pressure regulator or is out of order, the pressure in the system drops as the air temperature drops outside. At the same time, the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator is also reduced and icing occurs.
- When using the air conditioner in the cold season, the outlet of the drain pipe may freeze, which will cause the drain pan to overflow with water.
- Errors in the installation of the drainage system: lack of slope when laying the pipeline, “dry” water seal, poor-quality drainage pipes, depressurization of joints, “pseudo-siphon” device, etc.
- Failure of the drainage pump or clogging of its float chamber, due to which the pump stops working.
If you encounter problems associated with a drop in refrigerant level, pressure drop, failure of the drain pump and other malfunctions, the right solution would be to contact a specialized service department. Their qualified specialists will quickly and accurately eliminate the malfunctions.
Drainage system cleaning
The user can eliminate the leakage of water from the air conditioner, which was caused by the clogging of the drainage system. At the same time, you need to clean not only the drainage system, but also the heat exchanger filters. Otherwise, dust accumulated on the evaporator will again clog the drain hole of the drain pan. In order to clean the drainage system it is necessary:
- Disconnect the air conditioner from the power supply.
- Remove the cover and coarse filters.
- Carefully remove the drip pan in which condensate collects. To do this, disconnect the drain hose.
Next, you need to thoroughly wash the pan, cleaning the drain hole from accumulated debris and dirt. Then check the condition of the drain pipe. If it is clogged, blow with a stream of air. In case of severe clogging, it is necessary to fill in the tube with a special liquid for cleaning the air conditioners. Then, after waiting 20-30 minutes, remove the dirt with a vacuum cleaner.
Do not use wire or similar objects to clean the drainage pipes. So you can get only a short-term effect. After a while, the blockage will recover and the flow of water from the air conditioner will resume. In addition, thin-walled plastic tubes can be damaged by wire. The elimination of these damages will require laborious and expensive repairs.
The removed coarse filters are also thoroughly washed and then dried. The evaporator is cleaned of dust using a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner.
Finishing the process of cleaning the drainage system, many experts recommend disinfecting it. To do this, use a solution of chlorhexidine, which is treated with a pan and coarse filters. In addition, a small amount of the drug must be poured into the drain pipe, after waiting 15-20 minutes, it is washed with running water, at the same time removing residual debris and dirt from the drainage pipeline.
On this, the cleaning process of the drainage system can be considered complete. Having installed all the removed parts in their place, you can connect the air conditioner to the mains and continue its operation.
