How To Clean A Condensate Pump?

Cleaning a condensate pump is important maintenance for HVAC systems (like your air conditioner or high-efficiency furnace) or for ductless mini split system, to prevent clogs, overflows, and potential water damage, and avoid algae, mold, and slime that can build up inside.

The steps to cleaning condensate pumps vary depending on whether your pump has a tank or no tank, such as with ductless split system pumps. Regardless of the pump type, maintenance should be carried out 1-2 times a year minimally by a qualified service technician.

Tools & Materials You'll Likely Need:

• Bucket
• Towels or rags (expect some water spillage)
• Stiff brush (an old toothbrush or bottle brush works well)
• Wet/dry vacuum (optional, but helpful for cleaning lines)

Cleaning solution:

• Dish soap and 1 gallon of hot water.
  Water temperature not to exceed the rated water temperature of the pump

Locate the Pump

• Find the condensate pump. It's usually a small plastic box near your indoor furnace or air handler unit, with tubes connected to it. Establish whether or not the pump has a reservoir tank.
• Make sure discharge hose is free from tight bends and restrictions.

• SAFETY FIRST! Ensure Pump has finished a pump cycle and disconnect the power supply.
  
• Mix 1 Gallon of hot water with dish soap & pour into the tank, making sure the water temperature does not exceed the maximum working temperature of the pump.
• Let water stand for 30 minutes and then reconnect power supply allow water to pump away.
• If pump does not start, top tank up with more water until the pump starts.
• Repeat process 2-3 times. On pumps that have not regularly been maintained, you may have to repeat 4-5 times.
• After the last cycle, fill tank with clean water to remove any final debris

• SAFETY FIRST! Ensure Pump has finished a pump cycle and disconnect the power supply.
• We Recommend Only Qualified Service Technicians Work on this Equipment
• Ensure Pump has finished a pump cycle.
• Mix 1 Gallon of hot water with dish soap, ensuring the water temperature does not exceed the rated water temperature of the pump of 122oF 50oC.
• If you have access to the drain pan, slowly pour the hot soapy water into the drain pan unƟl the pump starts.
• If you have access to the fan coil pour the soapy water across the fan coil to remove bacterial debris from the Fan coil.
• After the pump stops, pour more soapy water into the drain pan and repeat the process until all the soapy water is used.
• If the unit has regularly been maintained, then repeat the process.

This is the easiest way to clean most condensate pumps, simply using modern dish soap with hot water while allowing it stand for a while to dissolve fat and soot, then pumping out and repeating. The degreasers in dish soap dissolve all the fats and soot in HVAC systems.

No need to dismantle anything. Pumping a good amount of hot soapy water through the pump normally cleans all the debris in the pump and the discharge pipes with little or no effort. It’s amazing how simple and easy it is and works, without having to disconnect anything.

Method 1 (Vacuum):

Take the end of the outlet tube that goes to the drain. Use a wet/dry vacuum to suck out any blockages. You might need to create a seal around the tube with your hand or a rag.

Method 2 (Flush):

Mix 1 Gallon of hot water with dish soap and pour carefully through the outlet tube, followed by clean water.

Method 3 (Gentle Pressure):

Sometimes gentle air pressure from a pump or carefully used compressed air can help clear minor blockages (blow from the pump end towards the drain). Avoid excessive pressure, which could damage fittings.

Annually:
A good cleaning once a year is generally recommended as part of regular HVAC maintenance. The ideal time to carry out maintenance is the start and end of every season.

Semi-Annually:
In very humid climates or if you've had previous clogging issues, cleaning twice a year (e.g., spring and fall) is wise.

As Needed:

If you notice the pump running constantly, making strange noises, or water backing up, clean it immediately.

Prevention:

Consider using condensate pan tablets or strips. These are placed in the AC drain pan (before the pump) and dissolve slowly, releasing ingredients that help prevent algae and slime growth. Ensure they are suitable for use with pumps.

We recommend that qualified HVAC technicians perform the cleaning service.