The most reliable air conditioner drain tube. Drezhany air conditioner system Why do I need a drain hole in the air conditioner

The principle of operation of an air conditioner, and any other refrigerating machine of an evaporative type, is based on the physical property of a gas (or an easily evaporating liquid such as freon, ammonia) to cool its volume with a sharp expansion. This process constructively takes place in a special evaporation chamber that cools the air.

At the same time, another phenomenon of physics comes into play, more often known as "reaching the dew point". In nature, it looks like the appearance of the smallest dew droplets on a cold surface and is called condensation.

In essence, it is a by-product of the air conditioner and needs to be removed from the

Where does condensate come from and where does it go

Where it comes from has already been told a few paragraphs earlier, and now we will open the topic about condensate drainage from the air conditioner and why it is needed:

- this is water, and since air conditioners are complex electromechanical devices, water can cause their premature breakdown.
Up to 20 liters or more of atmospheric liquid can run from one unit per day - with a large number of devices in a building, it is easy to collect a whole ton. Such a volume can already be called the risk of flooding the basement floors.
Standing water is a great refuge for mold, bacteria and other pathogens to grow.

Even these three arguments are enough to be convinced of the need for implementation. The main purpose of such a system is to remove excess moisture outside the premises.

Impact on health

The main danger of clogging the drainage is not in the consequences of flooding of neighbors or the breakdown of an expensive device, but in the threat to the life and health of the inhabitants of a cool room. If there is dirt, water and heat, then this automatically creates the risk of creating a whole incubator in a split system of a various infection:

Molds... Some strains can cause diseases of the respiratory system, including lung cancer.
Bacteria. There is a certain variety that causes "Legionnaires' disease" - pneumonia of a bacterial nature. Moreover, the mortality rate is very high.
Bad smell the least possible evil. At the same time serves as a kind of final warning - it's time to clean the drain.

, which part of the condensed moisture is used to maintain the balance of air humidity by evaporating the liquid in the heater.

It should not be forgotten that prevention drain system should be carried out at least once every three months. Even if the air conditioner did not work for this entire period, then nothing prevented the accumulation of dirt and the development of pathogenic organisms in all its nooks and crannies.

Self-service drainage system

In order to blow through the drain hose and not resort to the expensive service of calling a specialist, you will need three things:

A wish . And it will appear necessarily after the room starts to smell very unpleasant.
Instruments . A screwdriver, pliers, and a knife are usually sufficient to remove the housing cover, hose clip and mounting screws.
Disinfectant... It will help to get rid of stubborn plaque on the walls and in places of bends. The best results are shown by concentrated chlorine-containing preparations for the dirtiest surfaces.

To carry out cleaning, you just need to remove the top cover of the device, disconnect the tube and blow strongly into it with your mouth. If the installation was done correctly and there is no kink on the pipe, then all accumulated dirt will fly out from the opposite end. After that, it is necessary to fill in the disinfectant there and let it work with the inner surfaces for about twenty minutes. After the specified time has elapsed, just flush the tube clean water and assemble everything back, observing the assembly sequence.

Please note that this is an incomplete set of hygiene measures that must be carried out quarterly.

It is better to do it right right away than to redo it later. It all depends on the installers who will carry out the installation. The degree of professionalism can be judged by the equipment of the brigade. If they are wearing overalls, use the means individual protection, then we can say with a high degree of confidence that they are professionals and know the intricacies of the work.
In the event of a problem with the equipment already put into operation, it makes sense to invite a specialized organization. Hardly anyone has a compressor at home. high pressure and powerful chemicals, so to speak, "in reserve" - they cost a lot of money and are sold, most often, by kilograms, with a consumption of 100 grams per cleaning.
In addition to cleaning, the drain must also be cleaned air filters, impeller, outdoor unit and . For this procedure, cleaning units are used. brand"Karcher". You can do it yourself, but it will take several days for an unprepared person.

All devices of the evaporative type, including the air conditioner, operate based on the physical properties of the gas - with a sharp expansion, cool its volume. This process takes place in an evaporation chamber, the purpose of which is to cool the air.

But upon cooling, another law of physics comes into force called "reaching a growth point". In simple words, it looks like the appearance of small drops of dew on a cooled surface, these drops are called condensation.

In fact, they can be called a by-product of the functioning of technology, and for normal work device, it needs the timely removal of condensate from refrigeration systems.

Where does condensate come from and where does it go

Condensation is water droplets. Since the air conditioner device is difficult electrical connections and circuits, in some cases, excessive moisture causes malfunction or breakdown, and if the device is connected to the network, there is a possibility of a short circuit.

In one day, average household air conditioners can collect up to 10-15 liters of liquid that is in the atmosphere. And if there are many air conditioners installed, for example, in office buildings, hundreds of liters of condensate can accumulate per day. Such a volume is dangerous due to the risk of flooding.

It also has a detrimental effect on health. Wastewater serve as a good breeding ground for bacteria and mold dangerous to humans.

These points are enough for making a decision to install a special drainage of the air conditioner for removal. The main task of which is to remove excess condensate from the equipment.

Impact on health

The main danger of condensation is far from the risk of flooding something or equipment breakdown, it is a threat to health. If the device contains several components for the comfortable growth of bacteria, namely water, dirt and heat, all this creates conditions for the whole incubator. dangerous diseases and other infections:

A foul smell is the least of evils. This "scent" serves as a warning that it is time to thoroughly clean the drain.
Disease-causing bacteria - There is one type of bacteria that causes pneumonia. It is also called "legionnaire's disease", the mortality rate from which is very high.
Mold Fungi - Some types of fungi can cause disease, even cancer.

Drainage pipe clogged

How to properly drain condensate from the air conditioner

After the information received above, the question arises of how to properly drain the condensate from the air conditioner. An often used and financially beneficial way is to withdraw drain pipe outside by drilling a small hole in the wall. The main advantage is simplicity - I made a hole, extended the hose and everything works. But there is also negative side, it consists in the effect of "raindrops" that will fall on the windowsills and cause a lot of inconvenience to neighbors. The aesthetic side also belongs to the disadvantages. No matter how practical it is this way, not everyone likes the pipes hanging from the apartment; on a bare wall.

It will be much better to use the condensate drainage into the sewer system.

Drainage diversion to the sewerage system

This option does not have any drawbacks. Waste from the air conditioner is discharged into a dedicated system. It can be either a common sewer canal or a specially laid network of pipelines. All drains will be drained off without your help due to the inclination of the pipes.

But there are also subtleties of implementing such a system for draining condensate from an air conditioner:

To prevent the vile smell from the drains from entering the room, it is necessary to install a water seal - this is a curved part of the drain pipe in the shape of the letter S. The operation of such a shutter is similar to the operation of a siphon - it creates a barrier to odors that come from below.
If the air conditioner long time is idle, the water seal can dry out and the air escaping from it will begin to give off the sewage system. To avoid this, it is enough to pour several liters of water into the drain every 5-7 days.
When using the gravity version, it is necessary to accurately calculate the minimum diameter and slope of the system so that all waste from the air conditioner can drain freely through it.

Manufacturers usually attach detailed diagram, which facilitates the installation process.

Condensate drainage scheme

Drainage pipes for air conditioners

Drain pipes from air conditioners belong to the drainage system and are represented on the market in two positions:

PVC and polyethylene pipes.
The pipes are smooth and corrugated.

The first option is most often used if the length of the drain is small, in other cases corrugated systems are used. At the same time, the second type has another huge advantage - this is excellent flexibility. drain hose, due to which during installation there is no need to use additional fasteners, as is necessary when working with smooth pipes.

Drainage pipes for air conditioners

Condensate drainage system installation process

Despite the difficult descriptions of actions, in practice the withdrawal process is extremely simple and requires only your attention:

The first thing to do is to remove the fasteners from the air conditioner, which are located at the bottom.
A small container will be installed in the lower part under the fan to collect excess condensate. On the side of it, you can see a branch pipe, to it with the help of a clamp and attach the drainage pipe of the branch.
Then reassemble and install the air conditioner in place. However, it is important that the tube goes through the hole in the side of the air conditioner.

Now you need to bring the previously connected hose into the sewer or outside. If the hose is retracted correctly, you will see the first drops coming out of the pipe.

Drainage scheme to the street

Cleaning the drainage system

V living conditions without the help of a specialist, it is possible to clean the drainage system only if only the bath pipe is dirty. For this you need:

Detach the filter located on the air conditioner housing and rinse it thoroughly.
After removing the bottom fasteners, disconnect the drain tube and remove the tray.
Flush these parts, paying particular attention to the holes.

For other failures associated with clogged drainage, you need Technical equipment, it is better to call the master. Self repair can damage expensive equipment.

The last highway left to be laid this is drainage system ... The drainage of the indoor and outdoor units of the split system accumulates water condensed on the units of the device. On lower parts blocks have drain holes to which drain hoses are attached.

Two options for diverting the drainage system from the air conditioner units:

1. In the sewerage system, it involves the installation of a siphon on the line to protect against odor

2. Free drainage of condensate into the street

Install the hoses with a slope towards the water outlet. Typically a drain hose indoor unit taken out into the street along the already laid route to the external block. For this, a strobe or a decorative box is made with slight bias towards the street - this will prevent the accumulation of water in the drainage hose and it will need to be cleaned very rarely. Drainage the external block is not organized or deflects to the side - condensate flows freely from the hole or short hose at the bottom of the unit.

Pre-flared mounting kits are commercially available for self installation air conditioner from 0.8 to 50 meters. Buying a ready-made kit is more profitable than buying components separately. Also the kit is suitable for laying the track during repairs. The set includes: ready-made pipes for quick connection of the air conditioner in thermal insulation, a drain hose, brackets for an external unit, wires, fasteners. Self-pickup in Moscow from metro Lermontovsky prospect (8). Delivery throughout Russia.

Standard installation of an air conditioner in Moscow and the Moscow region - 5000 rubles with material. Bookmark copper trails- from 3000 rubles.

Consider the first connection option, where we drain drainage to the street, it is the simplest and most common.

We connect the drain hose of the required length to the indoor unit of the split system. Use a suitable adapter fitting for this. It is not recommended to insert hoses into each other - without a seal, the connection will not be reliable.

When laying the hose, it is advisable to avoid too sharp turns of the drainage system. Condensate flowing down the main line will encounter an obstacle in the form of a turn and will accumulate in this meta, preventing a uniform drain.

Basic requirements for the drainage system are similar to the basic requirements of sewerage installation:

The optimal angle of inclination of horizontal sections is 3 degrees
The optimal turning angle is 45 degrees
At the entrance to the sewer network, a siphon should be fixed to the hose, in which standing water will constantly be located. The siphon will close the passage to the air conditioner for gases from the sewer network that have an unpleasant odor.

In the case of condensate drainage to the street, use the first two recommendations. Most likely organized joint track between blocks (already described in previous articles), which includes a drain tube. In the already familiar diagram below, the drain pipe is the last thing left to mount in the joint route.

If the drain hose is not made of wear-resistant and frost-resistant material (usually has a small diameter), put the drain line on street plot into a corrugated pipe, as shown in the diagram. It makes no sense to hide the drainage hose in a corrugated pipe indoors.

After installing the drainage pipe, wind up the communications of the joint route with vinyl tape in several places. if you use a large diameter corrugated pipe as an insulating winding, prudently do not connect communications to the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

With the scheme we have chosen, the drainage of the outdoor unit is simple - a flexible hose is connected to the drainage hole at the bottom of the unit and the condensate is diverted a little to the side, so that the stream and drops of condensate do not fall on the windows of neighbors, on other air conditioners and protrusions of the facade.

After completing the organization of the drainage system, do not forget to wrap with vinyl tape the joint route of the air conditioner that runs along outside wall buildings, unless, of course, you use a corrugated pipe as an insulating winding of joint communications. The vinyl tape should be wound from the bottom up. Also wrap with vinyl tape - open areas copper tubes to protect them from corrosion and electrical wire. Seal the hole in the outer wall on both sides with silicone sealant.

If you decide to drain condensate into the sewerage system, then carefully design the routes, especially for the drainage of condensate from the outdoor unit to the inside of the building. Drilling an additional hole in the wall in this case is mandatory. It is not recommended to mount a joint track inclined inside the building - serious protection against water ingress will be required.

When organizing a drainage passage in the wall, make a water trap - a loop of the hose that looks like a siphon, so that water along the surface of the drain pipe does not undermine the hole in the outer wall. carefully monitor the height difference and be sure to take into account the use of such a drainage scheme when choosing a place for installation of an external block of a split system.

Connect drainage lines to the sewage system only through a siphon, this has already been described above. Diameter plastic pipes sewerage - 50 mm, old cast iron - 70 mm. Be sure to consider this when purchasing fittings and adapters.

When you have organized the drainage system, insulated the tracks with vinyl tape or corrugated pipe, you may already use air conditioning without restrictions- it only remains to check it.

Air conditioner, like any refrigeration unit, works on the basis of physical properties refrigerant - to cool with a sharp expansion in volume. This process takes place in special device, which is called an evaporator. It got its name only due to the fact that droplets of liquid (perspiration) appear on the body of the device, it is also condensate from the air conditioner, which is collected in a special bath and removed from the household appliance.

Air Conditioner Drainage Functions

Is, in fact, plain water... An air conditioner is a complex electromechanical device. That is, condensation can cause damage to the air conditioner. Moreover, in one day, up to 20 liters of moisture can be released from a working device. And it must be taken away.

Condensate drain options

There are several ways to drain air conditioners. The easiest one is to make a hole in the wall or window and pass a hose through it to the street, which at one end connects to the bath pipe located under the evaporator of the indoor unit of the unit. It is the simplicity of the operations performed that is considered a great advantage of this method.

But it also has negative sides:

the hose hanging from the side of the wall does not increase presentability in any way appearance buildings, especially for a private house;
from the free end of the hose during the operation of the air conditioner, water will drip all the time, which, if it gets on the adjacent window ebb (lower), will lead to a scandal with the neighbors.

The second option for draining condensate is to connect the drain pipe to the sewer. The method is ideal for many rooms, but it has one a big problem- lack of a sewerage section in the room where the indoor unit of the air conditioner is installed. Way out:

Carry out installation sewer pipes into this room with a slope of up to 3%.
Install drain pipes to the nearest sewerage section with the same minimum slope.

Which option to drain condensate from the air conditioner into the sewer system to choose, everyone decides for himself. But it must be noted that the lowest costs, both in terms of finance and in terms of the labor intensity of the work carried out, relate to the second method. Firstly, the drainage pipes can be laid both inside the wall along the grooves made, followed by sealing with repair mortars, and along the floor base with subsequent finishing.

Secondly, any hermetic-type hollow products can be used as drainage tubes. More often for this they acquire corrugated pipe small diameter.

Attention! To prevent unpleasant odors from penetrating into the room from the sewage system, at the junction of the connection of drainage pipes and pipes sewer system a water seal is installed in the form of a conventional sewer siphon... If there is no possibility of installing a siphon, then the corrugated tube is bent in the shape of the letter "S". Also an effective option.

And one moment. If the air conditioner is not used for a long time, the odor trap dries up, which leads to penetration unpleasant odors from the sewer. Therefore, periodically, a little water must be poured into the drain system. And this is probably the only drawback of this method.

The third option for condensate drainage is the installation of a special pump. This drainage method is used only in two cases: long length drainage system, there are drops in it. V household air conditioners pumps are not included, although they are sold as separate element, and purchasing it, plus mounting it will not be difficult. In almost all industrial units, drainage pumps are factory installed.

Pumps are necessarily included in the standard equipment of cassette and duct air conditioners. There are pumps that are installed in external blocks, but more often they are installed inside. Usually they are equipped with an additional container in which condensate collects. And already from it the pump pumps out the liquid.

Drainage pipes for air conditioners

The condensate drainage system from air conditioners includes drainage pipes, which on the modern market are represented by two positions in terms of raw material. These are PVC and polyethylene tubes. And in two positions according to the form of production: smooth and corrugated.

The former are most often used if the drain itself has a short length, in other cases corrugations are used. However, the second type has one big advantage - the high flexibility of the hose. Therefore, during the installation process, there is no need to use additional fastening fittings, as is the case with smooth pipes.

Installation of the condensate drainage system

The process is very simple.

It is necessary to remove the lower fasteners from the air conditioner case so that it can rise.
In the lower part, under the fan that blows around the evaporator, there is a condensate collection tray.
On the side of it there is a branch pipe, it is to it that the drainage pipe for draining the condensate from the air conditioner must be connected with the help of a clamp.
The housing of the indoor unit is lowered, installed in place. In this case, it is very important that the corrugation passes through it through a special hole made in the side wall.
The fasteners are screwed in place.

Now all that remains is to bring the connected corrugated hose either into the sewer or outside. If the withdrawal process is associated with the installation of a drainage route, then it is necessary first of all to decide how it is easier and more convenient to carry out the whole process. As mentioned above, the best option- make grooves in which to lay the hose. The most important thing is to maintain a tilt angle of at least 3%.

Major drainage faults

The most common malfunction of the condensate drainage system from the air conditioner is the clogging of the tray hole. Dust and dirt with condensation settles to the bottom of the sump, where sludge is formed. It grows and covers the branch pipe. The consequence is the overflow of water over the edges of the bath. The liquid starts to drip onto the floor and run down the walls.

And other faults:

If the air conditioner works for heating in winter, then it is often drainage tube it just freezes on the street.
The slope of the drainage line was incorrectly set.
If the pump is out of order.
If the amount of refrigerant in the system has decreased, which leads to icing of the evaporator and supply pipes, therefore, the ice begins to melt along the entire length of the route, pouring water onto the floor.
The evaporator may be covered with ice if the pressure regulator stops working. If the temperature outside the window begins to decrease, this can lead to a decrease in the temperature of freon due to a drop in its pressure.

Cleaning the drainage system

You can only clean the condensate drainage system from the air conditioner with your own hands if the bath pipe is clogged. This requires:

Remove the filters located on the device housing in front of the evaporator. They must be rinsed well.
The air conditioner body rises.
Disconnect the drain tube from the pallet.
The latter is removed and washed. Special attention just the hole.
If the tube is clogged in the same way as the drain hole, then it must be blown out. If it does not work, then you will have to replace it with a new one.
All other steps for assembling the condensate drain system are performed in the reverse order.

For other malfunctions associated with the failure of one or another device or part, it is better to call the master. Independent actions can lead to irreparable consequences.

The most common breakdown of split systems that our compatriots face is leakage. It is quite unpleasant when water drips from the indoor unit onto the equipment and pieces of furniture. It is much worse if the leakage of the air conditioner leads to a short circuit in the electrical wiring and failure of the expensive household appliances... The main reason for the "cry" of climate technology, as a rule, is a clogged drainage system. How to clean the drainage pipe of the split system on your own will be described in this article.

Why does the air conditioner "cry"?

As mentioned above, the air conditioner is leaking, most likely due to a clogged drainage system. During the operation of the split system, condensate inevitably forms on the heat exchanger of the evaporating unit, which flows into a special sump, and from there, through a drain pipe, it is removed outside the room.

But during the operation of the air conditioner, dust, particles of pet hair and other contaminants that are not retained by the filter adhere to the wet heat exchanger. Contaminants along with condensate fall into the sump, and from it into the drain pipe. The problem is that the diameter of the drainage tube is only about 10 mm. Dust and dirt from the air conditioner very simply clog the drain holes, the condensate has nowhere to go and it simply flows out of the pan.

This is the most common reason for the appearance of the leakage of climatic technology. But in some case, the flow of climatic technology indicates more difficult problems, for example:

Freezing of condensate on the heat exchanger. Ice builds up on the evaporator when the performance of the air conditioner decreases. The reason for this may be a decrease in the amount of refrigerant in the system, clogged filters and the heat exchanger itself. When defrosting, moisture will not fall into the pallet as expected, but will drain through the internal elements of the block to the floor.

Failed pressure regulator. A drop in pressure in the system leads to a decrease in the temperature of the heat exchanger of the evaporating block. hence frost and leakage as in the first case.
In some models of air conditioners, a special pump is used to remove condensate from the sump. When it fails, moisture is not pumped out and overflow occurs.
Broken condensate level sensor.

There are more commonplace reasons for leakage, such as icing and improper installation of the split system. How to clean climatic equipment at home will be described later.

If there are problems with pressure, pump and amount of refrigerant, then they can only be solved with the help of a wizard. service center... Only a specialist can accurately diagnose the cause of the malfunction that led to the leak.

Drainage cleaning instructions

First of all, you should know that cleaning a clogged tube with a wire or other folk remedies, gives a positive result, but not for long. Most often, the person will not have time to rejoice at the solution to the problem, as the dust accumulated on the heat exchanger clogs the drainage system again and the air conditioner starts flowing again. That is why experts recommend cleaning the drainage system and, at the same time, cleaning the filters and the heat exchanger of the indoor unit of the air conditioner.

The last step in cleaning is to decontaminate the system. To do this, it is necessary to treat the condensate collection tray and coarse filters with chlorhexidine, which is sold without a prescription in any pharmacy. It is very good if you pour a certain amount of the drug into the drain tube to disinfect it. After 15 minutes, rinse the tube with plain water. It will remove residual dirt and grease, and you will also be able to ensure that the drainage system is clear of blockages and will function normally.

Next, use a soft brush and a vacuum cleaner to remove dust from the heat exchanger and assemble the split system. As you can see, in some cases it is not difficult to solve the problem of “crying” climate technology. In this article, you learned how to clean an air conditioner drain pipe at home if it gets dirty.

There are many reasons for the flow of climatic technology. It is better if professionals undertake diagnostics and troubleshooting.