How to Replace a Condensate Drain Pan
There can be up to two condensate pans located in your air conditioner or furnace. One is considered the primary condensate pan. It serves the purpose of catching the evaporated liquid that sometimes drops off the cooling coils in your air conditioner. The other pan is considered a secondary condensate pan. Its purpose is to serve as a second line of defense to ensure that the primary pan doesn’t overfill and cause water damage.
Why Do I Need to Replace a Condensate Drain Pan?
There are a few reasons why you’d want to know how to replace your condensate drain pan. This includes possible clogs, unexpected mold, a misplaced pan, or an issue of excessive flow. Clogs can occur between the pan and the area designed to pump collected liquid away and back into the water system. Or a tilted pan might be causing water to overflow. In some cases, the refrigerant used to chill the air becomes too cold, causing ice to form. The melted ice might also cause water to overflow.
Once water starts to collect or sits for too long in the pan, mold may start to form. Standing water also attracts insects. And water that overflows from the pan, if not collected by a secondary condensate pan, can cause expensive water damage. So it’s a good idea to occasionally check your pan and ensure that everything is working properly.
How to Replace a Primary Condensate Drain Pan
It’s not recommended that you attempt to replace a primary drain pan. These types of units are often attached to the main part of the system. Attempting to remove it could be dangerous or cause damage to the system. If you’re worried about an overflowing pan, you can take some steps to prevent water damage before a service professional can arrive.
If you own a sump pump, you can remove some of the water collecting in the condensate pan. Again, be careful about handling mold. It’s also wise to move anything out of the area that might be damaged by water.
How to Replace a Secondary Condensate Drain Pan
If you have a secondary condensate drain pan, replacing it can be a fairly simple task, but every unit is different. If you have to disconnect anything more than the power to the unit, it’s probably best to call in a professional. Here are some general steps to follow.
Step 1
Shut off the power supply to your A/C unit.
Step 2
Remove the front panel. This type of panel can usually be removed without any tools, by either pushing up or pulling it away from the unit.
Step 3
When attempting to remove your condensate drain pan, it’s important to observe the type of drain pan in your unit. If there are clips or screws holding it in place, you should be able to successfully remove it after removing the clips or unscrewing the screws.
Step 4
There is a drain line that runs out of the corner of the pan. This is where the water is pumped out to be sent to the water line. A clog in the drain line could be the reason your condensate pan is overflowing. Use a wrench or pliers to loosen the drain line so you can remove the pan.
Step 5
After unscrewing or unclipping the pan, attempt to slide it out. Pushing the drain port towards the inside of the air conditioner may help loosen it. If the condensate pan is filled with water, be careful to avoid touching it or use gloves to avoid exposing yourself to mold.
Step 6
Slide the new drain pan into place and reattach the clips or replace the screws. Replace the outside panel.
Monitoring Your Secondary Condensate Drain Pan
Your secondary pan should always be installed in a way that makes it easy to access and monitor. The purpose of this pan is to make it easier to ensure that the primary drain pan is working properly. Water collecting in your secondary pan means that the primary pan is not draining properly. Regular maintenance will help prevent mold and cracks and keep your system working efficiently.
Product Compliance and Suitability
The product statements contained in this guide are intended for general informational purposes only. Such product statements do not constitute a product recommendation or representation as to the appropriateness, accuracy, completeness, correctness or currentness of the information provided. Information provided in this guide does not replace the use by you of any manufacturer instructions, technical product manual, or other professional resource or adviser available to you. Always read, understand and follow all manufacturer instructions.