How to clean the drain pipe of the air conditioner at home and with your own hands: tips from the master. Drainage system of the air conditioner Which tube is used for drainage in the air conditioner

An air conditioner is a unit with the help of which optimal climatic 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 environment. The principle of operation of the air conditioner is to change the state of aggregation of the refrigerant depending on the temperature and pressure in a closed circuit. This process is accompanied by the formation of condensate, for the withdrawal of which many models have a special drainage system.

Functions of the drainage system

Education and accumulation a large number Condensation inside the air conditioner units causes water to leak onto 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 electrical wiring, which will disable it.

Depending on the selected operating mode, condensation 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 system for draining condensate is provided in the design of the device. It consists of a container (tray) for collecting moisture and drainage tubes, through which condensate is removed from the air conditioner.

Take-off place:

• To the street - the easiest way, implemented in budget models of air conditioners. Drainage tubes simply come out through holes designed for other communications. The disadvantage of this method is the formation of puddles near houses, water drips on the walls, etc.
• In the sewer - a more complex option, devoid of drawbacks budget option. At the same time, the drainage of the air conditioner into the sewer provides for the mandatory installation of a water seal (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 merge "by gravity".

Drain pipes for air conditioners

It is easier to lay a drainage route with corrugated pipes

The drain pipe of the air conditioner, with the help of which the condensate formed inside is removed from it, is made of polyethylene or polyvinyl chloride. These materials are not affected by water, and products made from 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 impossible.

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 when the air conditioner is located in close proximity to the sewer. If the point of connection of the tube to the sewer is sufficiently long distance, the use of fittings greatly complicates the installation of the pipeline.

The corrugated pipes are highly flexible and the installation of the drainage pipeline can be carried out without fittings. The drain hose for the air conditioner, assembled from corrugated tubes, can be bent at any angle, which greatly simplifies the process of laying the pipeline.

Installation of a condensate drainage system

Starting the installation of the drainage system of the air conditioner, it is necessary first of all to design the entire pipeline route. This is especially true in cases where a decision has been made to drain condensate into the sewer or it is impossible to provide the necessary slope along the entire length of the pipeline.

When laying a pipeline for draining condensate from an air conditioner, it is necessary to ensure that the angle of inclination of the horizontal sections is at least 3 °, and the angles of rotation of the pipeline are not more than 45 °.

In addition, it is desirable to make all connections using fittings, installing them on a sealant.

When installing a water seal at the inlet to the sewer, it must be taken into account that there must always be standing water in it. Otherwise, the room will seep bad smell from the sewer.

A drain pump (pump) is often built into air conditioners. It is one of the most important components of the condensate drainage system. Its design depends on the type of air conditioner and its location in the room. If the piping route has a large height difference between the air conditioner and the condensate drain point, an additional pump must be installed. The choice is made based on its ability to draw water from the pump below.

Main malfunctions

One of the most common problems with any air conditioner is leaking. Such a defect occurs most often due to clogging of its drainage system. At the same time, the hole in the pan, designed to drain the condensate, is clogged with dust and debris, which are brought by the 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:

• If there is not enough refrigerant in the system, the temperature of the heat exchanger drops, which leads to the formation of ice on its surface. The flowing water at the same time does not fall on the pallet, but flows out onto the floor of the room.
• If there is no pressure regulator in the air conditioner or the pressure regulator is out of order, when the outside air temperature drops, the pressure in the system drops. This also reduces the temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator and icing occurs.
• When using the air conditioner during cold seasons, the outlet of the drain pipe may freeze, causing the drain pan to overflow with water.
• Errors during the installation of the drainage system: lack of slope when laying the pipeline, “dry” water seal, poor-quality drainage pipes, depressurization of connections, “pseudo-siphon” device, etc.
• Failure of the drainage pump or clogging of its float chamber, due to which the pump stops working.

If there are problems related to a drop in the refrigerant level, a decrease in pressure, a failure of the drain pump and other malfunctions, right decision will contact a specialized service center. Their qualified specialists will quickly and efficiently eliminate faults.

Cleaning the drainage system

Eliminate water leakage from the air conditioner, which was caused by clogging of the drainage system, the user can independently. At the same time, it is necessary to clean not only the drainage system, but also the heat exchanger filters. Otherwise, the dust accumulated on the evaporator will again clog the drain hole of the drain pan. In order to clean the drainage system, you must:

1. Disconnect the air conditioner from the power supply.
2. Remove cover and filters coarse cleaning.
3. Carefully remove the tray where the condensate collects. To do this, disconnect the drain hose.

Next, you need to thoroughly rinse the pan, cleaning the drain hole from accumulated debris and dirt. Then check the condition of the drain tube. If it is clogged, blow it out with air. In case of severe clogging, it is necessary to pour a special liquid for cleaning air conditioners into the tube. Then, after waiting 20-30 minutes, remove dirt with a vacuum cleaner.

Do not use wire or the like to clean the drain pipes. So you can get only a short-term effect. After a while, the blockage will be restored, and the flow of water from the air conditioner will resume. In addition, thin-walled plastic tubes can be damaged by wire. Repairing these damages will require time-consuming and costly repairs.

Chlorhexidine disinfects air conditioner parts

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.

Completing the process of cleaning the drainage system, many experts recommend disinfecting it. To do this, use a solution of chlorhexidine, which is used to process the 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 debris and dirt from the drainage pipeline.

The last highway that remains to be laid - is the drainage system. In the drainage of internal and outdoor unit split systems, water accumulates, condensed on the units of the device. On the 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 flow of condensate to the street

Hoses should be installed with a slope towards the water outlet. Usually the drain hose the indoor unit is taken outside along the already laid route to the external block. For this, a strobe or decorative box do with slight slope towards the street - this will prevent the accumulation of water in the drain hose and it will need to be cleaned very rarely. Drainage the external block is not organized or deviates to the side - condensate flows freely from the hole or short hose at the bottom of the unit.

Available already flared mounting kits for self installation air conditioner from 0.8 to 50 meters. Buy ready kit Cheaper than buying parts separately. Also, the kit is suitable for laying the track during repairs. Included: ready-made tubes for quick connection of the air conditioner in thermal insulation, drainage hose, brackets for the outdoor unit, wires, fasteners. Pickup in Moscow from metro station Lermontovsky Prospekt (8). Delivery throughout Russia.

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

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

We connect the drainage hose of the required length to the indoor unit of the split system. To do this, use a suitable adapter fitting. 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 desirable to avoid too sharp turns of the drainage system. Condensate, flowing down the highway, will encounter an obstacle in its path in the form of a turn and will accumulate in this meta, preventing a uniform flow.

Basic requirements for the drainage system similar to the basic requirements for laying sewers:

• The optimal angle of inclination of horizontal sections is 3 degrees
• Optimum turning angle - 45 degrees
• At the entrance to the sewer network, a siphon must be attached to the hose, in which stagnant 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 discharge 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. On the already familiar diagram below, the drainage pipe is the last thing left to mount in a 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 area into a corrugated pipe, as shown in the diagram. Indoors, it makes no sense to hide the drainage hose in a corrugated pipe.

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

With the scheme we have chosen, the drainage of the external unit is implemented simply - to drainage hole a flexible hose is connected at the bottom of the unit and the condensate is drained a little to the side, so that the jet and drops of condensate do not fall on the neighbors' windows, on other air conditioners and on the ledges of the facade.

After completing the organization of the drainage system, do not forget to wrap the joint route of the air conditioner running along the outer wall of the building with vinyl tape, unless of course you use a corrugated pipe as an insulating winding of the joint communications. 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 sewer system, then carefully design the routes, especially for draining condensate from the outdoor unit into the building. Drilling an additional hole in the wall in this case is mandatory. It is not recommended to mount a joint route inclined inside the building - serious protection against water ingress will be required.

When arranging a drainage passage in the wall, make a water trap - a hose loop that looks like a siphon so that water on the surface of the drainage pipe does not wash away the hole in the outer wall. carefully monitor the elevation difference and be sure to consider the use of such a drainage scheme when choosing a place for installation of an external unit of a split system.

Connect drainage routes to the sewer only through a siphon, this has already been discussed 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 can already use the air conditioner without restrictions- it remains only to check it.

Air conditioner - popular today Appliances used to maintain a comfortable indoor climate. And like any other device with complex design, it contains a variety of replaceable parts. Including siphon, connecting and drainage tubes. These elements can be considered auxiliary, in fact, it is difficult, and most often impossible to do without them.

For example, this applies to the siphon. This device is used to remove condensed moisture from the air conditioner. Some owners of air conditioners do not pay due attention to the moisture dripping from them, because, usually, it is allowed to simply drain down the window. But this is completely wrong from the point of view of ethics and aesthetics. Dripping, and sometimes pouring from a height, moisture can get on bystanders. And if the house is private low-rise, then there is another problem: condensate accumulates around the facade in the form of ugly puddles, which, moreover, do not have the most beneficial effect on the state of the foundation. Installing a siphon allows you to avoid all this and make the operation of the air conditioner aesthetic and more comfortable from a practical point of view.

This is a fairly simple device that drains condensate directly into sewer system. At first, moisture accumulates inside the siphon, as soon as its amount becomes sufficient, a special shutter is activated and the water is drained into the sewer. And so that the odor does not come out of the pipe, the siphon is equipped with a special valve that does not allow unpleasant odors into the room.

Depending on the type of construction, siphons are:

Siphons for air conditioners are manufactured by both Russian and foreign manufacturers, each of which offers several models of such devices. They differ in the type of thread on the connecting elements, which should be considered when choosing a siphon. Built-in siphons have different indicators the depth to which they can be immersed in the wall, which is also important to know before buying. The main indicator by which the effectiveness of such equipment is evaluated is its throughput. For domestic needs, siphons with medium characteristics are suitable, and for industrial needs - exclusively with high ones.

Correct operation of the air conditioner is impossible without special drainage tubes. They are part of the discharge complex along with the siphon. Tubes of suitable size and length, properly mounted and hermetically fixed, will allow you to get rid of condensed moisture freely and in a timely manner. Drainage can be made up of hoses or capillary tubes. Hoses are made of PVC and have a larger diameter than tubes. To give them rigidity and stability inside, they have a spiral. They are mounted together with the main air conditioning system, laid along the walls and connected to the sewer, and then covered with thermal insulation. Capillary tubes are usually used in conjunction with drainage pumps, they are used if moisture cannot be removed naturally, but must first be pumped out. They are also made of durable but flexible plastic, have a small diameter - 2-6 mm - and are often transparent. They can be easily installed even in difficult conditions and in rooms where it is not possible to install another drainage system for the air conditioner.

Drainage hoses and capillary pipes are an important functional part of a working air conditioner system. A properly assembled drainage complex is necessary in order to divert the water concentrates that are constantly formed during the cooling of the incoming air outside the premises equipped with air conditioners.

This system is formed from a selected number of drainage hoses, which are hermetically and reliably connected to the main distribution block of the air conditioning system. Under normal conditions, the drain hoses are installed at an angle to the sump of the indoor unit of the air conditioner, which allows the moisture to drain naturally. If the location of the air conditioner does not allow this, special drainage pumps are used, for the operation of which capillary tubes are laid.

Drainage hoses (pipes)

Traditionally, drainage pipes are flexible hoses made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), reinforced from damage with an internal spiral. They can be used to transfer air, chemically active gases, cold vapors, smoke, they are not recommended for use for the distillation of gases with the possibility of sparking or hot vapors. The special design allows the drain hose to be flexible and highly resistant to fractures and kinks, to withstand adverse weather conditions and low temperatures. Typically these pipes are White color and are supplied in coils of 25-30m in various diameters.

Indoors, drainage pipes are usually laid along with other communication and functional systems air conditioner in one box. They are installed along the walls and through specially prepared holes they are taken out of the living quarters or connected to the sewer. At the same time, all technological openings must be thoroughly cleaned of debris and, if necessary, strengthened. After the installation of drainage pipes, electrical wiring and air lines, they are closed with heat-insulating materials, which are usually various natural and synthetic soft fillers that can provide tightness and withstand sudden temperature changes for a long period of time.

Often, a variety of hoses, including ordinary rubber ones, are installed as temporary measures for repairs, but this leads to the rapid occurrence of leaks in the most inconvenient places near the kinks. For reliable and high-quality work, it is important to use only specialized pipes for drainage systems.

Capillary hoses (tubes)

These products are usually used in conjunction with specially installed drainage pumps. Their use is the only solution for those situations where it is not possible to ensure the removal of condensate in a natural way in the usual way. Modern technologies production drainage pumps allow you to install equipment in any required places, as well as use electronic water control sensors, which provides a reliable and accurate result.
Depending on the size of the premises, pumps of very different power and performance are used, while the farther the output paths in the form of drains or sewers, the greater the footage of capillary hoses must be used. These tubes are made of durable plastic, which, depending on the manufacturer, can be either colored or transparent. Capillary hoses have high flexibility and a relatively small diameter - usually 6mm external and 2mm internal, which makes them easy to lay even in the most difficult hard-to-reach places residential and industrial premises.

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

But when cooling down, another law of physics comes into force called “reaching the point of growth”. In simple words, it looks like the appearance of small dew drops on a cooled surface, these droplets are called condensate.

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

Where does the condensate come from and where does it go?

Condensation is water droplets. Since the device of the air conditioner 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.

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

It also adversely affects health. Wastewater serve as a good breeding ground for bacteria and mold dangerous to humans.

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

Health impact

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

1. A nasty smell is the least of the evils. Such a “flavor” serves as a warning that it is time to overhaul the drainage.
2. Pathogenic bacteria - there is one type of bacteria that causes pneumonia. It is also called "legionnaire's disease", the mortality from which is very high.
3. Mold fungi - some types of fungi provoke diseases up to cancer.

Clogged drain pipe

How to remove condensate from the air conditioner

After the information obtained above, the question arises of how to properly remove condensate from the air conditioner. A frequently used and financially advantageous method is to bring the drain pipe outside by drilling a small hole in the wall. The main advantage is simplicity - I made a hole, stretched the hose and everything works. But there is also negative side, it consists in the effect of "raindrops" that will fall on the window sills and cause a lot of inconvenience to the neighbors. The aesthetic side is also a disadvantage. No matter how practical this method, not everyone likes pipes hanging from the apartment; on a bare wall.

It would be much better to use the condensate drain to the sewer.

Drainage to the sewer

This option does not have any downsides. The waste from the air conditioner is drained into a system designed for this. It can be, like a common sewer channel, or a specially laid network of pipelines. The removal of all wastewater will occur without your help due to the slope of the pipes.

But there are also some subtleties in the implementation of such a system for draining condensate from an air conditioner:

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

Typically, manufacturers include a detailed diagram that facilitates the installation process.

Condensate drainage scheme

Drain pipes for air conditioners

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

1. PVC and polyethylene pipes.
2. Pipes are smooth and corrugated.

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

Drain pipes for air conditioners

The installation process of the condensate drainage system

Despite the difficult descriptions of the actions, in practice the withdrawal process is extremely simple and requires only care from you:

1. The first thing to do is remove the fasteners from the air conditioner, which are located below.
2. A small container will be installed at the bottom under the fan to collect excess condensate. A branch pipe is visible on its side, to it with the help of a clamp we attach drainage pipe branch.
3. Next, assemble back and install the air conditioner in place. But 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 into the street. If the hose is retracted correctly, you will see the first drops that come 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 nozzle of the bath is dirty. For this you need:

1. Unfasten the filter, which is located on the air conditioner housing and rinse it thoroughly.
2. After removing the lower fasteners, disconnect the drainage tube and remove the bath.
3. Rinse these parts, paying special attention to the holes.

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

Condensation (water) forms on the radiator of the indoor unit of the split system. This happens due to the fact that the temperature of the radiator is much lower than the temperature of the air passing through it. room air. And in order to ensure the removal of this condensate from the room, a drainage system is needed. In this article, we will learn what requirements apply to the drainage for air conditioners and how to choose the right one.

For air conditioners, several common methods of water drainage are used:

What should be the drain hose for air conditioners

We all understand perfectly well that the drainage for the air conditioner must meet the most serious requirements. After all, it is not just located in an accessible and conspicuous place (as in various plumbing, washing machine or in the refrigerator), but is laid through outer wall, or even more difficultly “stripped” inside the room. In addition, it must be taken into account that the drainage removes other contaminants along with condensate (there is no pressure and a strong flow of water in it).

Based on these requirements, drainage it should be:

All these requirements are met only by a special hose for the air conditioner. It is made of high-quality and durable material, has a smooth inner surface with a diameter of 16 mm, and a rigid spiral frame is able to protect against damage and provide the necessary flexibility. In extreme cases, you can use a metal-plastic tube with a diameter of 16 mm.

For drainage unsuitable:

• garden hoses. They are strong, durable, smooth, but with excessive bending they narrow the inner diameter;
• cheap corrugated hoses, as well as most of the hoses that come with some Chinese air conditioners. All of them are easily crumpled, torn and at the same time do not have a smooth inner surface;
• corrugations for cables. They wrinkle less, but they do not have a smooth inner surface and are easily “rubbed” inside the wall.

The conclusion of our article is that the drainage for the air conditioner is the most important and critical part of the entire system, which cannot be saved on. Reliable and durable split system hose is hard to find in traditional hardware or hardware stores. To search for it, you need to contact specialized stores or organizations that work in the climate field.